Arkansas Alumni Association Lunch and Learn with John Register

The Arkansas Alumni Association invites you to join an Online Lunch & Learn presentation by John Register, B.A. '88, at noon Thursday, April 23. The presentation, Amputate Your Fear and Embrace Your New Normal, will give you a framework for dealing with life's challenges so you, too, can embrace your new normal. Register, a Johnson Fellow, Paralympic silver medalist, two-times Tedx and Inspirational keynote speaker, will share insights on how to find opportunities while in crises.

The purpose of the Arkansas Alumni Association Lunch and Learn programs is to engage University of Arkansas alumni, friends and family by hosting live online Zoom conferences in which a variety of different topics are discussed and presented. Each program features a different speaker and will focus on a different topic.

Since the launch of the program, presenters have included Regina Hopper, Kristen Jakus and Susan Patton. Those who participate have the opportunity to interact with and ask the speaker questions all while getting together — virtually — with other alumni across the globe.

ABOUT JOHN REGISTER

Register received a scholarship to the University of Arkansas where he became an All-American Razorback and qualified for the Olympic trials twice, once in the 110-meter hurdles in 1988 and again in 400-meter hurdles in 1992. He was on his way to competing as a member of the 1996 Olympic team when a misstep over a hurdle caused a serious injury leading to the amputation of his leg. After 18 months of rehabilitation and training, he competed on the 1996 paralympic team as a swimmer. He was soon fitted with a running prosthesis and earned a silver medal in the long jump at the 2000 Paralympic Games, setting the American long jump record. He also placed fifth in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

Athletics have been Register's passion since he began swimming competitively at the YMCA in Oak Park, Illinois. He then moved on to baseball and football. He eventually started competing in track and field, the sport that earned him a scholarship to the University of Arkansas. There he became a four-time All-American — once in the NCAA long jump, once in the 55-meter hurdles and twice on the 4×400 meter relay teams. He was part of four national championship track teams under coach John McDonnell.

As a track athlete, Register watched McDonnell build a track dynasty that won 42 national championships.

"You have to work very hard," Register said. "If someone's ahead of you, you have to work harder. That's the Razorback spirit."

Register completed his bachelor's degree in communications in 1988 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. As a Desert Shield and Desert Storm veteran, Register continued to pursue athletics in the Army's World Class Athlete Program, winning nine gold medals in the Armed Services Competition and two World Military Championships.

In 2003, he accepted a position with the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado and created the Paralympic Military Program, which uses sports to assist wounded service members. He also works as an inspirational speaker.