Athletes roll over UT's finest

Some of the state's best wheelchair basketball players took UT coaches, players, and administrators to school Thursday night for a good cause.

October is disability awareness month, with a basketball game between wheelchair all stars and some of UT's finest highlighted the power of perseverance.

Outside was an example of why so many focused on the HPER building on the UT campus.

"One of the worst spots I know," says Cody Joss, referring to a pothole that most people could walk over.

Joss does not have such a luxury. A broken neck four years ago robbed him of his ability to walk, but gave him the ability to overcome obstacles few could fathom.

"They've cleaned it up a lot in the last few years," Cody says about handicap accessibility on the UT campus. "They really have."

Still, he says there are plenty of trouble spots that still remain. Parking particularly bothers him, as do bumps that makes his navigation around campus more complex than his fellow students.
"It's just a matter of taking a detour," he says. "Once you learn a bad route, you know that bad route, and you always have to go differently."

To hopefully prevent other students from going through what he has, Cody kept his wheels in motion by heading over to watch the game and show some support. It is support the wheelchair all stars appreciate, but do not need.

"It's usually somewhat lopsided," Anthony Ryan said about games like these.

Ryan says those sitting in a chair and playing for the first time end up feeling like their arms are on fire. In the first half, it was the wheelchair all stars who were on fire, passing, stealing, and scoring at will. It put UT basketball players and coaches on the wrong side of lopsided.

"Just their reaction time and their quickness to the ball, these guys on the other side have no chance, not a chance," said Lady Vols Basketball Coach Pat Summitt, referring to some of the players she coaches.

Summitt met with the visitors before the game. While they appreciated the kind words, their focus remained relentless, focusing solely on what they can do now

"Sports are sports whether you play in a chair or not," said Ryan.

Ken Johnson's best sport Thursday was being a good sport. The Director of Basketball Operations operated on his backside, falling head over heals trying to navigate the court.

"It's a whole different experience," he said. "You don't use those muscles everyday."

The score board operator did not use many muscles either counting up the UT total. They had two baskets in the first half.

"They have no mercy," said Coach Summitt. "I just marvel at their athleticism, intensity, and competitiveness."

In the end, the wheelchair all stars won 22-8. To those that supported them, it was just another win.

"Able bodied people are going to be in wheelchairs," Joss said.

To those that watched, it was a lesson about determination.

"They have been able to overcome," said Coach Summitt.

Added Johnson, "It takes a lot of skill."