UW-Whitewater Athletes Will Play A Prominent Role At The 2004 Paralympics Games In Athens, Greece
Released: August 19, 2004
Jeremy Lade and Matt Scott, members of the UW-Whitewater wheelchair basketball team, have been selected as members of Team USA that will begin competition at the World Paralympic Games beginning on Sept. 17 in Athens, Greece. For Lade, being named to the 2004 US Paralympic team is extra special after being the final roster cut from the United States roster prior to the 2000 games. The Oconto native says his disappointment was short-lived when he earned a spot on the Team USA roster for the 2002 World Championships.
“I increased all my skills by working really hard at fundamentals and conditioning. In retrospect, not making the 2000 Paralympic team made me a much more mature player,” Lade said. “Playing in the 2002 World Championships and winning a gold medal was a real character builder for me.”
According to UW-Whitewater wheelchair basketball coach Tracy Chynoweth, the 23-year-old Lade has been a “model” wheelchair athlete during his Warhawk career that ended with a second consecutive national championship in March.
“He’s (Lade) one of the best ball-handlers in the world. He is a great shooter and defender – he has been a true team leader for us,” Lade said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop every aspect of his game.”
Scott is the youngest member of this year’s Team USA. Even though he is just 19 years old, the Southfield, Mich. native is among the most naturally talented on the squad.
“Matt has so much athleticism and at 19-years-old, possesses a body of a 25-year-old,” marvels Chynoweth. “He is so naturally talented with the ball.”
Scott is a current “redshirt” in Chynoweth’s UW-Whitewater program. He isn’t scheduled to play in his first official intercollegiate game until January 2005.
Scott admits that being selected to play in the Paralympic Games is a dream come true.
“I knew I had the ability to play with the best of the best,” Scott said. “I just didn’t know it would come so quickly.”
Several former Warhawks will also be participating in this year’s Paralympics games. Jeff Glassbrenner joins Lade and Scott as members of the United States men’s paralympic squad. Patty Cisneros has been selected as a member of the United States Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team. Meanwhile, Joey Johnson is on Team Canada’s roster and Troy Sachs plays for Team Australia. Two other UW-Whitewater alumni serve as head coaches in this year’s Paralympics basketball event. Ron Lykins is the head coach of the U.S. Women’s Basketball team. Mike Frogley has been the head coach of the Canadian men’s national team since 1998.
UW-Whitewater played a major role in the 2000 games when 13 current or former Whitewater athletes participated in wheelchair basketball at the Paralympic Games held in Sydney, Australia.
The Paralympics are the Olympic equivalent for athletes with disabilities. The games began in 1960 in Rome, Italy and are held immediately following the Olympic Summer Games every four years. Athletes from 140 nations will compete in 19 sports in this fall’s Paralympic Games that take place Sept. 17 through Sept. 28 in Athens, Greece.
- N & P Staff,npa@uww.edu
