ATHENS, Ga. --- Members of the University of Georgia football team will be volunteering at the 2009 Wheelchair Football Championships Saturday at Clarke Central High School.

"This is a great event," said University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt. "We are truly inspired by these guys. We admire their competitiveness and their love for the game of football. I look forward to our players learning a great deal from this experience."

The event will take place in the Clarke Central gymnasiums beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding with the trophy presentation at 7 p.m. The players will volunteer in shifts and work in various positions including announcer, distance markers and guest coach.

The annual state championship is organized by the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP) and will conclude their football season. There are eight teams participating from the members of the AAASP Athletic Association competing from all over the state; including teams from Oconee County, Athens-Clarke County, Henry County and DeKalb County. A winner will be chosen for both junior varsity and varsity teams.

"The high school athletes are ecstatic to spend the day with the UGA football players and the association is honored to have them there," said Scot Hollonbeck, Director of Partnerships and Community Outreach for AAASP. "We are excited to introduce the UGA players to wheelchair football and looking forward to the interaction between the athletes."

The AAASP partners with educational agencies across the country to establish programs, policies and regulations in interscholastic adapted sports for students with physical disabilities.