Oct 22, 2007 Tony Filippis - The Man Behind the Wheelers By Doug Kurtis

Tony Filippis Sr. was instrumental in creating one of the largest marathon wheelchair competitions in the country at the Free Press Marathon. In 1983, through his company Wright & Filippis, he began sponsoring the disability division. It grew to a record of 67 participants. In 2002, hand cycling competitors were also added.



Filippis did much more than just put money into the event. His staff coordinated housing and travel for marathon disability athletes. He used company vehicles to help support them on the course. In 2001, when 9/11 forced the raced to start at Hart Plaza, Wright & Filippis built at special ramp to ease the footing onto Jefferson Avenue. He never missed an opportunity to hand out awards at the marathon.

Filippis was nationally-known for his involvement and assistance in promoting fitness for the disabled. He understood first-hand the frustration and heartache experienced by people with disabilities when he lost both of his legs below the knee in a train accident at the age of 13. He later learned to make artificial limbs. It carried him to prominence as a respected voice for the disabled.

“Sports were always going to be an important part of my life, and as I got older, it was going to be a way for me to reach out to people who needed a break. These people – myself included – needed to be active.”

In 1946, he formed the first bowling league for the disabled as well as a swimming program at Detroit’s Patton Pool. Soon after he developed many other sports programs for basketball, baseball, softball, golf, tennis, boxing and track & field.

Filippis participated and excelled himself in all these sports and qualified for the National Wheelchair Athletic Association Games.

Early on, Filippis experienced corporate discrimination for being disabled. “Things were much different than today. I hired in at a lot of places, but when they found out I had artificial legs, they fired me.”

Carl Wright, a friend who made Filippis’ artificial legs offered him a job as an apprentice. After ten years they formed their own company - Wright & Filippis. It has now grown into 30 facilities throughout Michigan and the Midwest.

In 1999, Filippis founded what may be his greatest legacy, the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame. Its mission is to honor Michigan's athletes who have demonstrated achievement in sports and are positive role models in the community. The Hall as well as the annual banquet helps to educate the public about the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. It also strives to support recreational and educational programs for them.

The Hall of Fame has a mentoring program in which alumni visit classrooms and deliver motivational speeches to students throughout the state. It also established a scholarship endowment to benefit young athletes with disabilities as well as those children who aspire to careers that will benefit the disabled community.

Some of Filippis his notable honor included:
• Named a 2004 Michiganian-of-the-Year
• The 2004 Lifetime Achievement (the Arthritis Foundation);
• The 2003 da Vinci Lifetime Achievement (the Muscular Sclerosis Society)
• The 2000 Gerald Ford Sports Person of the Year (Michigan Sports Hall of Fame)
• The Joe Louis Award (Sports Illustrated)
• Community Hero Torchbearer (the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games)
• The Excellence in Achievement-Lifetime (the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan)

Mr. Filippis passed away last January at age 91. Just before his death he commented: “Each generation is better off than the last and it’s our job to see to it that we make this world a better place for everyone.”