The Dallas Mavericks beating the University of Texas at Arlington in basketball by a score of 64-54 is not a headline that will run on ESPN this afternoon. This is not because the game was played secretly behind closed doors. The reason sports enthusiasts nationwide will not know about this score line, is because the game was played at Texas A&M University-Commerce at the Morris Recreation Center by players in wheelchairs.
As a part of Disability Awareness Week at A&M-Commerce, the UTA Movin’ Mavs and the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks played a preseason warm up game at the MRC gym on Oct. 15. While it was just a warm-up game, both teams treated it like any other match. Just like in the usual form of basketball, there was plenty of contact and hard work up and down the court.
The UTA Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team is one of the top wheelchair basketball teams in the nation. They have won seven national collegiate titles since beginning intercollegiate play in 1989 and 34 of their players have been named first team all-American. The Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks are a part of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. Despite having national recognition, the sport of wheelchair basketball remains relatively small. That is one reason why these teams play games like this, according to UTA coach Doug Garner.
“That’s kind of a part of our community service, to show people what people with disabilities can do,” Garner said. “Maybe somebody who saw the game has a nephew who really needs to be out doing something, and they’re in a wheelchair and all they do is sit at home and play video games. So hopefully people who watched the game will be like ‘Wow, I didn’t know that was out there,’ and they’ll know they can contact UTA.”
Wheelchair Mavericks player Aaron Gouge also said these games are important to get his team’s name out there.
“Anytime we can come out and get exposure, especially playing another good team like this and get people excited about wheelchair basketball it’s good,” he said.
Although much of the night was focused on giving the sport of wheelchair basketball exposure, both teams used this game to gear up for the new season. UTA begin their season in mid-November, while the Wheelchair Mavericks begin play at around the same time.
“I feel good about this season,” Garner said. “Our freshmen got some time. John (McPhail) came out and shot real well, and he hasn’t done that before. Anthony (Pone) got some good time in. We ran some line ups that we hadn’t gotten to run before. It’s always great playing Dallas because they’re a great team. So for our freshmen to get out and be able to hang with them, I was really pleased with it.”
The crowd got the opportunity to watch two teams that play well together, and the teams got the chance to get some practice in while promoting the game they love.
“It’s great to come out to somewhere they haven’t got a wheelchair basketball team or wheelchair basketball program and promote what is, I think, the greatest game to play,” freshman Josh McPhail said. “Whether you are able-bodied or in a wheelchair, it really is the greatest game to play and the greatest game to watch. The more we can do these games, the better, just to show that there are sports for disabled athletes.”