HR0872 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0872 LRB104 21743 MST 37401 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the University of Illinois women's and men's wheelchair basketball teams on their performance at the 2026 National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball National Championships; and

WHEREAS, The women's and men's wheelchair basketball teams both achieved third-place finishes at the 2026 NWBA National Championships, which were held in Tucson, Arizona and brought together elite collegiate wheelchair basketball programs from across the United States to compete at the highest level of adaptive intercollegiate athletics; and

WHEREAS, Both teams represent the University of Illinois Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services, the oldest and original collegiate wheelchair basketball program in the world, with a proud 77-year history of leadership, excellence, and innovation in the sport; and

WHEREAS, The University of Illinois wheelchair basketball program is widely recognized as the birthplace of collegiate wheelchair basketball and played a foundational role in the development and growth of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association; and

WHEREAS, The University of Illinois women's wheelchair basketball team made history in 1970 as the first all-women's wheelchair basketball team in the world, further advancing opportunities for women in adaptive athletics; and

WHEREAS, The members of the University of Illinois women's wheelchair basketball team include Head Coach Stephanie Wheeler; assistant coaches, Matt Poland, Marlee Wagstaff, and Eubin Ham; athletic trainer, Jan Wenke; players, Amelia Stotts, Mary Wagstaff, Kylee Koenig, Ava Finger, Bethany Johnson, Morgan McCammon, Kendall Speaks, Josie Portell, Maya Campbell, Abbie Counts, and Ritvika Kondakrindi; and managers, Rachel Divan, O'Tice Lewis, James Shafer, Mia Lozada, VazQues Johnson, Larry Parker, and Cavaurion Vinson; and

WHEREAS, The members of the University of Illinois men's wheelchair basketball team include Head Coach Jacob Tyree; assistant coaches, Matt Poland and Eubin Ham; athletic trainer, Jan Wenke; players, Sebastian Milan, Grant Pierce, Jack Binsfeld, Alessandro Pintor, Tanner Adkins, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Gavin Ford, Martrell Stevens, John Matthew Davis, Mohamed Moalim, Noah Eckelberg, Joshua Pierce, and Michael Guiney; and managers, Rachel Divan, O'Tice Lewis, James Shafer, Mia Lozada, VazQues Johnson, Larry Parker, and Cavaurion Vinson; and

WHEREAS, The achievements of both the men's and women's teams reflect the dedication, perseverance, sportsmanship, and excellence of the student-athletes, coaches, and support staff who represent the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The accomplishments of these teams bring great pride to the State of Illinois and exemplify the strength and impact of inclusive collegiate athletics; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the University of Illinois women's and men's wheelchair basketball teams on their performance at the 2026 National Wheelchair Basketball Association Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball National Championships; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commend the student-athletes, coaches, staff, and the University of Illinois Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services in the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's College of Applied Health Sciences for their continued leadership and historic contributions to the sport of wheelchair basketball; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the University of Illinois women's wheelchair basketball team, the University of Illinois men's wheelchair basketball team, and the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services as a symbol of our respect and esteem.