The History Of Wheelchair Basketball

They say most things are born out of necessity. In fact, many inventions and developments began as a solution to a problem. And what has come to light when we've measured progress is that human achievement serves as a testament to not only the collective resolve but the individual spirit. This certainly seems to be the case in the story of wheelchair basketball.

Recreational Roots

According to "Machine Design" magazine, wheelchair sports officially began sometime after World War II. After the war, paralyzed veterans confined to wheelchairs sought ways to release their frustration and pent-up energy. It was this common need to raise morale and recharge their bodies that led to wheelchair sports. They started with games like table tennis, bowling, volleyball, catch and pool. But basketball soon became the most popular -- a favorite that became more than simply recreational.

Formation of Teams

In 1946, the California Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America played the first match of wheelchair basketball, according to the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. By 1948, six teams had formed in the United States. A team from California called the Birmingham Flying Wheels received a sponsored tour to play against other teams across the country. The result of this tour was the formation of the first nonveterans team called the Kansas City Wheelchair Bulldozers.

The NWBA

Originally, during the PVA years of wheelchair basketball, the game was open to only paraplegic or spinal cord injured veterans, according to the NWBA. The paraplegic veterans felt they would have certain disadvantages playing against "amputees, polios, and orthopedically-disabled players." However, this did not stop nonveterans from acting on their own desires to play. Before long, the PVA Tournament lost favor because of a demand for a more inclusive and competitive tournament, and in 1948 the NWBA was formed.

Continued Growth

The first National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament was formed in April 1949 by a group of University of Illinois students that were inspired by the efforts of their coach Tim Nugent, director of rehabilitation. Nugent and the students created the original plan for the NWBA, which has expanded to over 200 teams and 22 conferences. Nugent led the NWBA through many stages of growth and development before retiring in 1973.