Friday, February 9, 2007
Gov. Perry honors UT Arlington national wheelchair basketball champions
Movin' Mavs' now have seven national titles.
The University of Texas at Arlington national wheelchair basketball champions, the Movin’ Mavs, were recognized in Austin Thursday by Gov. Rick Perry and The University of Texas System Board of Regents for their 2006 National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball title. The team also received a special proclamation by the Texas House of Representatives.
"Being honored at the state capital for wheelchair basketball is nothing but a dream," said Movin' Mavs head coach Jim Hayes, who, along with the seven-member team, was joined by assistant coach Doug Garner, team manager Kathryn Jones, UT Arlington President James D. Spaniolo and UT Arlington Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Frank Lamas.
"The Movin’ Mavs and their accomplishments command respect and pride for UT Arlington. They are true Mavericks," said Spaniolo. "It's a wonderful day for the team, the program and the entire University community."
The team presented a signed basketball to the governor, who said the Movin' Mavs' seven national titles is an accomplishment that should be noted in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Following their meeting with the governor, the team was brought onto the House of Representative Chambers Floor, where a proclamation (H.R. 602) was read aloud. Authored by Rep. Diane Patrick (R-Arlington), the resolution states, "This remarkable victory has brought the school its seventh national championship, securing its reputation as one of the powerhouses in the sport."
"It's really exciting to know that our state and our governor supports us, and the sport of wheelchair basketball," said junior Danny Fik, point guard for the team.
The Movin' Mavs also met with Senator Chris Harris, who presented the team with an additional Senate Resolution recognizing their 2006 title, which they won by beating the University of Wisconsin, 53-51, in a last second shot.
The Mavs joined the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Conference in 1989. Six of the team’s players have been selected as the Most Valuable Player, and 16 others have been named to the first team All-American squad. The Movin’ Mavs is the first and only intercollegiate team to have every member on full athletic scholarship.
This team was also the first of its kind to be honored by President Bill Clinton at the White House in 1993.
Source: UT Arlington
