Wheelchair basketball adds four international players to roster

October 20, 2006

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wheelchair basketball team has gone international, recruiting four extremely talented players from across the globe.  Andre Bienek from Castrop-Rauxel, Germany, Darren Skuse from Sydney, Australia, Allon-Dor On from Israel and Joe Hargrow from Ireland, have all come to UW-Whitewater in hopes of the same dream -- playing for one of the most prestigious wheelchair basketball teams in the nation.

"This has to be the most exciting team we have ever put on the floor," UW-Whitewater wheelchair basketball head coach Tracy Chynoweth said.  "This team has the depth, size, strength and motivation to be one of the best I've coached. Bringing in these four international players has tweaked the dynamics of the program, language and especially the terminology on the floor."

"I honestly feel this is one of the most talented wheelchair basketball teams ever assembled," junior Jeremy Campbell said.  "I am excited to see if we can tap into the potential this team holds.  It really is a collection of talent but we have to put our heads together to make it work.  Talent alone rarely ever wins."

The addition of the four international players should spice things up on an already proven wheelchair basketball team, which has high hopes to compete this seasonfor its fourth National Championship title in six years.

"UW-Whitewater's wheelchair basketball team is one of the best in the whole United States, and probably in the whole world," freshman Bienek said.  "The basketball that is played here is very different from the German. In Germany the practicing is not so intense and the kind of playing is very different.  The game is much faster here and I have to practice a lot to keep up with my teammates. I expect to improve my game while I'm here and most importantly, win the National Championship. That's my dream."

While the new recruits will have to adjust and learn a new style of basketball, the returning players will be expected to learn about the new cultures and the style of playing.

"The overseas players are phenomenal basketball players," Campbell said. "They have all played on some level of their home country national teams.  One of the more exciting things about having them here is learning about new cultures.  The world is a huge place and any time you can broaden your knowledge of it is an awesome opportunity."

"I think it's a blast playing with the guys from overseas," sophomore Matt Scott said.  "They bring not only a unique style of play to our team, but they are also extremely talented and it helps us all step our game up.  I expect this to be one of the most enjoyable seasons I've had as a Warhawk.  This is the year where we are going to re-establish ourselves as a powerhouse in the intercollegiate division."

Finishing second in the nation last year, the team is looking forward to the upcoming season.  With nine players returning, five of whom started last year, the UW-Whitewater wheelchair basketball team adds six very solid basketball players making playing time very competitive among the players.

"There's no standing still this year," Chynoweth said.  "We have to work very hard and develop that team chemistry to get back to the National Championship tournament."

UW-Whitewater's wheelchair basketball team begins its season at home in the Kachel Center at 8 p.m., Nov. 2 against Southwest Minnesota State University.  Admissions to all home games are free.  For more information, contact Chynoweth at (262) 472-1145 or chynowet@uww.edu.