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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to 
3congratulate the University of Illinois Men's Wheelchair 
4Basketball Team, the Fighting Illini, on its historic 2025-26 
5season; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The men's wheelchair basketball team achieved an 
7impressive third-place finish at the 2026 National Wheelchair 
8Basketball Association (NWBA) National Championships; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The men's wheelchair basketball team represents 
10the University of Illinois Disability Resources and 
11Educational Services (DRES) and is the oldest and original 
12collegiate wheelchair basketball program in the world, with a 
13proud 77-year history of leadership, excellence, and 
14innovation in the sport; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The University of Illinois wheelchair basketball 
16program is widely recognized as the birthplace of collegiate 
17wheelchair basketball and played a foundational role in the 
18development and growth of the National Wheelchair Basketball 
19Association; and
 
20    WHEREAS, The University of Illinois men's wheelchair 
21basketball team, formerly known as the "Gizz Kids", made 
 
 
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1history in 1948 as the first U.S. college to establish a men's 
2wheelchair basketball team as the first all-wheelchair 
3basketball team in the nation; and
 
4    WHEREAS, The University of Illinois men's wheelchair 
5basketball team compiled a 10-7 record in the 2025-26 season 
6and currently holds 15 national championship titles; and
 
7    WHEREAS, In 1949, Coached by Tim Nugent, the men's 
8wheelchair basketball team competed in the first National 
9Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, which led to the founding of 
10the National Wheelchair Basketball Association; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The achievements of the men's team reflect the 
12dedication, perseverance, sportsmanship, and excellence of the 
13student-athletes, coaches, and support staff who represent the 
14University of Illinois; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The accomplishments of this team bring great 
16pride to the State of Illinois and exemplifies the strength 
17and impact of inclusive collegiate athletics; and
 
18    WHEREAS, The Fighting Illini team is led by Head Coach 
19Jacob Tyree and Assistant Coaches Matt Poland and Eubin Ham; 
20and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, The Fighting Illini team members are Sebastian 
2Milan, Grant Pierce, Jack Binsfeld, Alessandro Pintor, Tanner 
3Adkins, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Gavin Ford, Martrell Stevens, John 
4Matthew Davis, Mohamed Moalim, Noah Eckelberg, Joshua Pierce, 
5and Michael Guiney, athletic trainer Jan Wenke, managers 
6Rachel Divan, O'Tice Lewis, James Shafer, Mia Lozada, VazQues 
7Johnson, Larry Parker, and Cavaurion Vinson; and
 
8    WHEREAS, This Fighting Illini team's achievements 
9reinforce the University of Illinois' reputation as a 
10powerhouse in college basketball; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the 
13University of Illinois Men's Wheelchair Basketball Team, the 
14Fighting Illini, on its historic 2025-26 season, and we wish 
15it many more successful seasons; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
17presented to the University of Illinois Men's Wheelchair 
18Basketball Team as a symbol of our esteem and respect.