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Rev. Ross W. Lilley  Rev. Ross W. Lilley grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, graduating from high school in 1975. That same year, he began windsurfing on the Jersey shore. He attended Hobart College and graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1978.
Ross Lilley graduated from Andover Newton Theological School with a Masters of Divinity in 1983. He served as pastor of South Acton Congregational Church from 1983 until 2001 when he became able to fully devote his time and efforts to AccesSport. In 1983, Ross also began developing windsurf adaptations to make the sport of windsurfing more accessible. The endeavor to adapt the sport was part of a greater interest in creating places and activities to overcome disparity and discrimination in the disabled community.
Ross has been teaching windsurfing and adapting equipment for people with disabilities since 1983. In 1986 the Lilley's son Joshua was born with cerebral palsy and resulting spastic quadriplegia. Although Joshua uses an electric wheelchair and can walk with assistance, Josh and Ross began windsurfing together when Josh was four years old. Eventually the two sailed 10 miles in their own windsurfing marathon. Because of their efforts, the Lilleys have appeared in over twenty publications and televised programs including Good Morning America, Inside Edition, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald and American Windsurfer.
In 1996, Ross was awarded The 1996 Neighborhood Superstar Award for those individuals dedicated to improving Boston's citizens and communities through the advancement of diverse sports and fitness programs, presented by the Massachusetts Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports. In 2000, he received the Heroes Among Us Award from the Boston Celtics, honoring "people who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others..." and presented to individuals who, "...through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to our community".
Rev. Ross Lilley lives in Acton, MA with his wife Jean and their children Hanna and Joshua, all involved with AccesSportAmerica.
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