HOUGHTON – Terry Smythe received an award Saturday for her efforts to bring indoor stationary rowing to the Special Olympics, but although she appreciates the honor, she thinks that acknowledgment means the organization is close to making the sport an official event.

The SO Michigan’s Outstanding Sports Organization Award for 2014 was presented at a banquet in Mount Pleasant, and Smythe said SO officials from all over the state were in attendance, and those who were unaware of it as a sport were able to learn about rowing.

“It’s time for Michigan to step up and make it an official sport,” she said.

Smythe, who created the stationary rowing-training company UCanRow2 in 2008, taught physically- and cognitively-challenged students of teacher Karyn Juntunen at the Copper Country Intermediate School District how to use a rowing machine. Many of them took to it enthusiastically, and eventually a group called the Transition Tigers came from that effort. The Transition Tigers gave several demonstrations at both summer and winter Special Olympics with the intent of making it an official SO event.

Smythe said she thinks rowing fits the SO Healthy Families Healthy Athletes Initiative because it promotes cardiovascular health and reduces obesity.

“It’s the fountain of youth,” she said.

Smythe – who is partnered with Sarah Fuhrmann at UCanRow2 – said stationary rowing can be done by people with various levels of cognitive and physical challenges, even those who don’t have use of their legs.

The user’s arms must work, however.

“You have to be able to pull,” she said.

Smythe said because of the exposure stationary rowing has received as an exhibition sport for eight years at various Special Olympics events, it won’t be long before it becomes an official SO sport.

“I think they’re going for it,” she said.

Michigan is in a position to be the first state allowing stationary rowing as an official SO event, Smythe said.

“Michigan is moving forward,” she said.

Smythe said she appreciates the award from Special Olympics of Michigan.

“I’m totally honored with this,” she said.