Double-Amputee World-Record Holder, Marathon and Ironman Triathlon Athlete Scott Rigsby to Speak at Carnegie Mellon University

Jan. 27 - (PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – The Carnegie Mellon University Department of Athletics and the Dean of Student Affairs Office will be sponsoring an event with double-amputee world-record holder, marathon and Ironman Triathlon athlete, Scott Rigsby, on Monday, February 2.  The event is titled "Do the Unthinkable," and will commence in McConomy Auditorium in Carnegie Mellon’s University Center at 7:00 p.m.

“It is a tremendous opportunity for our community to be inspired by an individual who has overcome so much and been successful in the process,” said Director of Athletics Susan Bassett.

After a 3-ton trailer dragged him 300 feet along a road in rural Georgia, Scott Rigsby’s life took an unexpected turn. Scheduled to go off to college after the summer, the 18-year-old Rigsby lost both legs in the accident and thought his life was as good as over. After 26 surgeries, depression and uncertainty, Rigsby turned his life around to become a world-class athlete. A world-record holder in the marathon, Half Ironman and International Distance Triathlon for double below-the-knee amputees, Rigsby became the first double-amputee on prosthetics to finish the Ironman at the 140.6-mile world championship in Hawaii. Now in high demand as a public speaker, Rigsby will tell his inspirational story to the Carnegie Mellon community as part of the athletics department’s Excellence Forum.

Scott has taken his message and shared his story with audiences across the country, challenging them to “Do the Unthinkable.” He has brought his message to major corporations and businesses, wounded veterans groups, civic groups and schools. Scott’s compelling journey has been documented in the short film, “Unthinkable: The Scott Rigsby Story.” His achievements have attracted the attention of Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports, CNN, Runner’s World, Delta’s SKY magazine, and Competitor Magazine, which named Rigsby the Physically Challenged Athlete of the Year for 2007.