"Camp could open door to IHSA wheelchair league"

"Camp could open door to IHSA wheelchair league" - Mark Tupper, Decatur Herald & Review published Saturday, June 16, 2001

CHAMPAIGN - There are a mere 22 participants, each one straining and sweating in the summer heat of a vast gymnasium. But what's going on at this historic sports camp on the campus of the University of Illinois is much bigger.

It could affect high school athletics across the country. The camp - endorsed by the Illinois High School Association - could finally open the door to high school state championships for student-athletes with disabilities.

"I don't want to overstate this but what the IHSA is doing is probably the biggest, most positive development in wheelchair basketball since the development of the intercollegiate program," said Bob Szyman, executive secretary of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation.

"What's happening here is the model. This is it. And if it goes well here, we're hopeful others will pick it up."

Disabled students are buzzing about the possibility of one day being able to compete for an IHSA state basketball championship the same way able-bodied boys and girls have for years.

"Yeah, with regionals, sectionals and everything. That would be so great," said Jennifer Funk of Rockford.

Szyman and Mike Frogley, head coach of the University of Illinois men's and women's wheelchair basketball teams, put the players through their paces this week.

"This camp is really neat, because we're seeing the kids get real intense and focused. They are doing things they've never done before," Frogley said.

Frogley understands the dreams of disabled high school students who, until now, had no hope for organized prep competition.

"I'm already better with my shooting," said Sarah Fisher, 14, of Dixon High School. "I could barely hit the net on a 10-foot basket. I'd made baskets on an 8-foot basket, but never on a 10-footer."

Tony Martin, who will be a freshman this fall at Waubonsie Valley High School, said the camp has also improved his skills.

"For me it was really hard getting the ball into the basket. It takes arm strength. But I've learned a lot already."

Jeff Creek, the IHSA's administrative specialist who is helping to oversee the camp, said additional camps will be held to spread interest and encourage participation.

He said competition could begin in two or three years. Because one high school is unlikely to have enough students to field its own team, either regional teams or conference teams may be formed. Boys and girls would play together because boys don't have an advantage in the wheelchair game.

Creek admits he was somewhat skeptical when he was told by IHSA Executive Director Dave Fry to help shepherd this project along.

"I've played basketball all my life, but I'd just never heard much about wheelchair basketball," he said. "But this is amazing."

The camp is free. Sara Seed of the Champaign-Urbana Convention & Visitors Bureau solicited donations that paid for meals.

"The support for the camp has been great," she said. "And from here I'm sure it will only grow."