Last Season

Women’s Wheelchair Basketball

The women wrapped up the season upsetting Arizona 60-41 with an incredible performance of offensive efficiency and defensive relentlessness. The Illini Women outperformed the Wildcats 18-4 in the first, and 19-7 in the second. The women established a 42 point lead which carried the team to the podium with a 3rd place finish.

Men’s Wheelchair Basketball

The men climbed their way to a 3rd place finish as well with a 61-50 win over SMSU overcoming a 13 point deficit at halftime with a tremendous display of tenacity in their 27-13 third quarter and then finishing the season by only allowing 7 points in the 4th quarter.

We have an updated webpage with new and improved visuals and stat breakdowns. This is actively being worked on with the current season rosters coming soon!

Track and Road Racing

The Illini swept the NCAA Wheelchair 100 meter National Championship held in Eugene, Oregon, winning both the men’s and women’s divisions. Seven UIUC wheelchair track athletes were named to the U.S. National team.

Interns and Illini Abroad

• JM studied abroad in Croatia over the summer while Josh, Martrell, Moby, and Morgan completed internships in Indianapolis through the Gregory S. Fehribach Center.
• Josh will be leaving next week to study abroad in Barcelona for architecture and return back to the program next season.

Current Season

Freshmen/returning students

Men’s WCBB

• Jonathan Parris – Chicago, IL
• Sabir Osman – Ontario, Canada
• Gianni Quintero – Milwaukee, WI
• Michael Allen – Maple Grove, MN

Women’s WCBB

• Sarah Reid – Cheshire, CT
• Celeste Russo – Paoli, PA
• Sophie Armstrong – Minneapolis, MN
• Megan Egstad – Sun Prairie, WI

Morgan returning as women’s assistant coach and teaching RST 265 – Coaching Wheelchair Basketball.

Track and Road Racing

• Bree Doll – Prairie du Chien, WI

Tennis

• Madison Dupre

Madison just finished her undergrad at Auburn while playing on their wheelchair tennis program. Although we have not established a full wheelchair tennis program here at Illinois, she plans to practice regularly at the Atkins Tennis Center and represent us at tournaments.

Camps

We had 4 highly successful summer camps again this year including over 80 participants across Individual and Premier Basketball Camps, Track Camp, and Coaches Camp. Coffee was donated by Espresso Royale for the Coaches Camp, and $2,500 in scholarship support from AMBUCS of Champaign and The University of Illinois Community Credit Union.

Alumni Games

Dress up in costume as a fan or put on your old Illinois jersey and join us for our season kickoff Alumni Games on October 31st at the ARC! We are looking for alumni who are interested in playing in these games. Please fill out the interest form if that is you! Former Illinois head coach Michael Frogley will be in attendance.

Home Tournament Dates

Celebrate your Valentines by coming out for our home collegiate tournament – February 12-13.

Donations and Sponsorships

Illinois Wheelchair Athletics has received new upgrades thanks to our generous donors and alumni! These financial gifts have gone towards: remodeling coaching offices and the athlete lounge at DRES, an upgraded Dr. Dish for the basketball teams, professional blazers for graduating student-athletes, and multiple scholarships.

If you want to make a financial impact on our program here are the steps to give:

1. Click on the Donation Link (Personal or Business).
2. Type in either 11330442 or Athletic Activities for Students with Disabilities.
3. Use the note section to designate any restricted or intended use for the funds.
   • You will immediately receive a receipt of donation.
   • Within a few days you will also receive a full tax deduction email with EIN.

Make a Donation

Additionally, we have sponsorship opportunities on the basketball front with 3 new logo spaces on our jerseys. If you work for a company that might be interested in this opportunity, or other sponsorship options, please reach out to tyree1@illinois.edu.

Special Thanks and Gratitude

Special thanks and gratitude to our Alumni, Colleague, and Friend, Jean Driscoll. Jean will retire next week from her position here at U of I as the Assistant Dean for Advancement for the College of Applied Health Sciences where she cultivated relationships that have enriched the lives of all of us in AHS. She is moving on to another exciting opportunity at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Here are some recent photos of AHS’s retirement party with Jean.

Thanks for your continued support of our program and student-athletes. Keep following us along on our social media accounts to keep track of our success!