Wheelchair game demo set for Charger men's basketball halftime

Members of the UAH Ability Sport Network wheelchair basketball team will play a demonstration game at halftime of the Charger men's basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 22.

J.C. Medeiros Photography

The Ability Sport Network (ASN) wheelchair basketball team (WCBB) will play a demonstration game during halftime of The University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) men’s basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 22.

The Charger men’s game starts at 7:30 p.m. Halftime WCBB action will feature the eight members of the ASN team plus other well-known athletes to fill out two five-person teams.

"This isn’t a real game, but just a fun demo," says David Kyle, ASN director. "We want to create some exposure for our WCBB team and athletes. Fans might be impressed by the athleticism of our athletes – their speed, skill and power on the court."

WCBB is one of the most popular Paralympic sports in the world and people with a diversity of disabilities can play.

"You do not have to be a full-time chair user to play," Kyle says. "The sport chair is what is used to play the game, just like someone would use a bicycle in a bike race. We want to encourage people to get involved in the sport and give it a try."

UAH’s ASN is an adapted youth sport league focusing on Paralympic sports and intended for middle and high school students with functional limitations based on physical disabilities. These can include but are not limited to amputation, paralysis or other impairments caused by a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy or stroke. Students should not be eligible for Special Olympics in order to participate in the ASN.

The ASN is funded by a grant from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE). To find out more or get involved, visit the ASN website or check out their Facebook page.

"People with disabilities are severely underserved in sport and recreational opportunities. Our program brings an option to our community to serve those who may not have the opportunity to play sport anywhere else," says Kyle. "In addition, it is fun and promotes physical activities that benefit an individual’s personal health."