Wheelchair basketball game more than Army-Navy rivalry
University of Texas at Arlington collegiate wheelchair basketball player Joshua Rucker, playing for Navy, left, tries to intercept Dallas Wheelchair Mavaricks player Paul Shulte, playing for Army, as he heads down the court with the ball during the Army vs. Navy wheelchair basketball game at Saline High School.
Angela Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Gerald Hoff had more in mind than a classic military rivalry when he organized this year's Army-Navy wheelchair basketball game.
"We need to recognize our veterans, and those with disabilities," Hoff said as the teams representing both branches of the armed services raced down the court at Saline High School during the second half of the game on Friday night.
Army won 52-49, but the final score seemed to be the last concern of the players and the hundreds on hand.
Teams were made up of a mix of University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University Army, Navy, and Marine student veterans, members of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department, and professional and collegiate wheelchair basketball players.
The event, put on by the University of Michigan Council for Disability Concerns, drew a few hundred fans and a number of sponsors and student organizations.
Maize Rage, a student organization that supports the University of Michigan basketball team, divided into two sections to cheer on both teams, while the Michigan Dance Team entertained the audience during halftime. The Athletes with Disabilities Network, part of the Wheelchair Hall of Fame, donated 11 chairs for the game and Mike Harris, who is the director of the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans Association, covered the cost of the players' jerseys.
Regardless of the final score, there were no hard feelings as players shook hands and posed for a group photo at the end of the game.
Comments
Matt Snyder
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.
My family had a blast. My son enjoyed the game and racing around the jogging track. My daughter liked the dance team. And we all had a fun time. several of the players were exceptionally skilled and experienced, especially Paul Shulte. He treated the audience with several moves of skill, grace and vision that were on another level. I counted more than 500 in attendance (including the army band and the Michigan dance team) and there was room for plenty more. Next year, I hope the gym is packed!
aes
Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 8:01 a.m.
Everyone had an absolutely wonderful time! What an experience! Thanks to everyone involved in promoting and putting on this memorable event. There were many wheelchair users in the audience and many happy faces everywhere.
81wolverine
Sat, Oct 30, 2010 : 1:18 p.m.
Great to see this sort of event. Wheelchair basketball is a fantastic sport and fun to watch. My brother played for the amateur Detroit Sparks wheelchair team in the 1970's - and that team was good! They could shoot really well, while moving down the court very fast. It takes a lot of stamina and strength to play I'm sure. Many thanks to all the groups and people who helped put this event on.