CHENEY, Wash. — Eastern Washington University announced it’s ending its adaptive sports program, meaning its Division I wheelchair basketball program will not be competing next season.
The College of Health Sciences at Eastern says it’s discontinuing the adaptive sports program due to budget constraints. The program started in 2019 and was largely funded by grants and donations. When those ran out, the university funded it.
Players and coaches are still processing the news and say they were blindsided by the decision.
“It just very much feels like we were excluded from being in different rooms and maybe even brainstorming and decision-making opportunities,” said David Evjen, head coach of the EWU wheelchair basketball team.
Some players have spent most of their lives playing wheelchair basketball to make it to the Division I level. They’re disappointed they won’t be able to play out their careers at Eastern.
“I’m a competitor and my teammates are competitors, and we’re not here just to have fun,” said Liam Frobischer, a member of the EWU wheelchair basketball team. “We’re here to compete at the highest level and win some games.”
The decision also affects future recruits who had planned to attend Eastern.
“I have a lot of friends and close teammates that I used to play with that were planning on coming here next year or the years to come,” said Tyler Jenkins, a member of the EWU wheelchair basketball team. “Now they have to change their plans and figure out what they’re going to do going forward so I definitely do feel for them.”
The Dean of Eastern Health Sciences wrote in a statement: “This tough choice is in no way a statement on the value and talent of our adaptive student-athletes, whom we remain committed to supporting during their academic careers at EWU.”
Eastern had the only Division I wheelchair basketball team in the Northwest. The closest program is at the University of Arizona, but many of the players chose Eastern because it’s close to home.
Players and coaches believe giving people access to adaptive sports at the Division I level is a right, not a privilege.
The team still has two tournaments before they finish their season at the national championships in April.
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