OPINION | October 10, 2003

Editorial/Our View
A Different Game
Sports fans should be proud to have the Movin’ Mavs here

The Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team will play its season opener tonight. Although the team has gained popularity each season, it still needs fans for team promotion.

Unlike other teams, the Movin’ Mavs don’t have a booster club to organize events. They also need someone to maintain a team Web site.

Supporters will see two changes in the team this season — a better shooting percentage and improved speed.

First-time attendees usually come out of curiosity, coach Jim Hayes said. By halftime, attendees become fans, forgetting about any player handicaps. It’s a highly competitive sport with a great deal of contact. Wheelchair basketball combines basketball with hockey for noisy, active games.

This years’ team consists of eight players. Four are Paralympic team members. Canadian David Eng plays on his country’s Paralympic team. This is his first year with the Movin’ Mavs. Michael Paye, Jason Nelms and Ryan Hundermer play for the USA Paralympic team.

Most games are played in the Physical Education Building because of scheduling conflicts with Texas Hall. Prior to this season, the gym wasn’t air conditioned and kept some attendees away. Recent building improvements included installing air conditioning in the gym, which Hayes referred to as “the sweatbox.”

Wheelchair basketball is still considered a relatively new competitive sport. There are only eight other college teams competing with the Movin’ Mavs.

Some university supporters talk about reviving the university’s football team, but that may take years to happen.

We encourage those fans and others to realize UTA is one of few universities to have a wheelchair basketball team and channel support toward the Movin’ Mavs.

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