Monika Johnson
For College of Natural Sciences Academic Advisor and MSUalum Mo Gerhardt, sports have never been far from his life, passions, orcareer. As a color commentator for the MSU Women's Basketball team and SpartanSports Network, he utilizes his love of the game to make a difference in thelives of others.
\Any time someone with a disability is in a public position,it's a positive. Jobs and teaching opportunities that are more visible can opendoors, and I always keep that in mind," he said.
Gerhardt's passion for athletics began at an early age."Some of it is intrinsic. Right from birth sports was a part of my family.Growing up with a disability, they didn't hide sports from me, but encouragedme to explore it anyway," he said. After being diagnosed with Limb Girdle type2D Muscular Dystrophy at age eight, he needed to find other ways to be involvedin the arena he loved. 
Gerhardt competed in wheelchair hockey for eight years,qualifying for the North American Power Hockey Championships in 2006 and 2008.He also played in the national Power Soccer tournament in 2005, and says thatalthough he has "retired" from playing competitively, he is an avid supporterof the programs. "It finally gave me a way to release competitiveness, whichwas one part of me I was never able to utilize. I tried to make up for it withacademics growing up, but if you love sports you can understand that valuablesense of competition- having winners and losers," he said.
However, he felt that his visible disability caused othersto assume he could only excel in the Adaptive Sports field, not mainstream athletics."All along people wanted me to be more involved with Adaptive Sports from anadministrative side, and I sort of felt pigeon holed into it. That stereotypeis a barrier I am trying to knock down."
Gerhardt's winning and competitive attitude, which heaccredits to exposure to sports throughout his life, leads him to advocate forexpanding knowledge of disabilities throughout his community and culture. Helives by a simple motto: "I try not to live by words, but by actions. You don'tlive or die by a diagnosis. If you tell me I can't, I'll find every way to makesure I can," he said.
Recognizing that he had to look at sports from a differentperspective than others, he began managing and commentating for his highschool's teams.
"I can see it from the manager or coach's perspective ratherthan a player. It's a different standpoint, focusing on nuances and strategy asopposed to just skills. During a time out, I might hypothesize about a play andthen the coach will run it. That's something I gain from the differentperspective, and it gives me credibility when I talk to the coaches andplayers," Gerhardt explained.
His unique passion and perspective took him to his currentposition when he approached Women's Basketball coach Suzy Merchant in hopes ofbecoming involved in the team's radio coverage two years ago.
"She was very open-minded and didn't see my disability as asetback. She is an unbelievable person and has always been willing to let meshowcase my talents," Gerhardt said.
Today, he is using the visibility he gains from commentatingfor an increasingly popular team (the Women's Basketball team celebrated theirfirst sell-out game ever this season) to educate others on disabilityawareness. "The more open I can be, the more comfortable others are. I am 100%open about it- the more I do and the greater responsibilities I have for myselfwill benefit others with disabilities down the road, so I want to do everythingI can to give those who follow an easier path," he said.
Opening others' eyes to the commonalities of all people,regardless of ability, hasn't been easy overall, Gerhardt says. While he seesobstacles to overcome in educating others, he recognizes that persevering isextremely important. "There are politics in everything-I've encountered morenegative stereotyping and less open-minded people as a professional thancompared to as a student. At the same time, many others will go above andbeyond to advocate for my rights and make things accessible and accommodating,"he said.
Gerhardt maintains that his public position can gives him aunique opportunity: "Certain positionsmake you a role model- I feel I have a responsibility to be, and I want to be,an advocate for others with disabilities."