News & Press Archive

Take Part in the 2014 NIWBT From Your Living Room

ACSAA is pleased to sponsor the 2014 National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament on the campus of the University of Texas-Arlington, March 6-8, 2014.

If you can’t join us in Texas, you’ve got two ways to catch the action:

1. If you’re an iPhone user, download the FREE iHeart Radio app and search utaradio.com under the “College Radio” tab.
2. Watching the game from your computer, tablet, or mobile device is easy, too! Just go to www.movinmavstv.com.

Games will be from 9 AM to 9 PM Thursday, 9 AM to 7 PM Friday, and 9 AM to 5:30 PM Saturday. Tune in for great wheelchair basketball!

ACSAA To Sponsor NIWBT in Arlington, Texas

As part of its national outreach, American Collegiate Society for Adapted Athletics is proud to announce its support of the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament in Arlington, Texas. The games will be played at the University of Texas-Arlington from Thursday, March 6 through Saturday, March 8.

ACSAA will be a sponsor of the new “Player of the Game” awards for both men’s and women’s championships, and will have an ad featured on one of the program covers.

Founder and President Rob Egan stated, “ACSAA is pleased to extend both promotional and financial support to the largest annual intercollegiate wheelchair basketball competition in the United States. The NIWBT is a wonderful event, and we’re honored that Doug Garner and the organizing team asked us to be a part of the tournament. We aim to support the incredible athletes and human beings which this tournament serves in all that we do as an organization, and I think this is a tremendous opportunity to further our mission.”

Founder and President Rob Egan and Board of Directors Member Connor England will represent ACSAA.

ACSAA Hosts Wildly Successful 2014 Bash

The 5th Annual ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash ran from January 30-February 1, 2014, and made quite a splash in Wichita, KS. Here are a few of the highlights:

Four National Wheelchair Basketball Association Intercollegiate Division Men’s Teams came to play:

• The University of Alabama
• Edinboro University
• The University of Texas-Arlington
• Southwest Minnesota State University

These four teams comprised the 1st Annual College Division and played games in two separate locations on January 31 and February 1, 2014. The games ran smoothly and allowed athletes to display athleticism at a level not seen by most who sat in the stands. Beyond that, the young men and their coaches displayed an incredible level of gratitude and humility towards the organization and its supporters for giving the chance to play in Wichita. If you missed the games and want to watch footage, be sure to click on the WEBCASTS button, which is displayed in the right corner of any page on our site.

The college teams enjoyed their games, as well as a great stay at the Wyndham Garden Downtown Wichita, and wonderful meals from Papa John’s Pizza, Jimmy Johns, and Barn’rds Roast Beef Restaurant. The Underwriters’ Party at the Wyndham Garden with the teams and a few of our generous division underwriters proved to be another successful component of the strong weekend.

8 able-bodied teams participated in a tournament on Saturday, February 1, and after having a repeated champion for the past 3 tournaments, we crowned a new winning team this year. The defending champions finished as runners-up.

12 local celebrities also played in a demonstration game. The celebrity game score was a whopping 6-2!

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback visited the event and interacted with players from The University of Texas-Arlington, who stuck around until later in the evening. The players convinced the Governor to try playing in a chair, and got him to give the tip-off for the University of Texas-Arlington demonstration scrimmage. The players also discussed the possibility of launching a Kansas collegiate wheelchair basketball program with Governor Brownback. We’re so pleased he could join us!

The evening dinner and auction was a smash! With our always popular Abuelo’s Mexican Embassy dinner buffet and yummy ice cream sundae bar from Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, the palates of our guests were surely satisfied! Our rockstar emcee for the evening was fashion maven Bonnie Bing, who kept guests laughing with her unbeatable humor and energy. Founder and President Rob Egan was welcomed by special guest Dakota Johnson. Rob laid out the path for the future and also showed just how far ACSAA has come since June of 2009.

Former US Congressman Todd Tiahrt and his wife, Vicki, were recognized for their assistance in helping ACSAA attain the support of former US Senator and legendary disability rights activist Bob Dole.  Mr. Dole was unable to be present at the event, but he released the following statement, which was read at the dinner:

“I am pleased to serve as Honorary Chair for the 5th Annual American Collegiate Society for Adapted Athletics Wheelchair Basketball Bash in Wichita.  ACSAA is a tremendous organization with a worthy mission -- furthering competitive athletic opportunities for disabled students at the college level.  All college students, able-bodied or disabled, should have the option to participate in sports.  ACSAA makes this dream a reality for so many disabled students.  Rob Egan, ACSAA's founder, is an inspiration and an ideal leader of this wonderful organization." – US Senator Bob Dole

The silent auction boasted 29 fabulous packages from many of Wichita’s finest retailers, including an entire table of gorgeous items donated by The First Place and its marvelous owner, Helen Galloway. The live auction, led by all-star auctioneer Charlie Moon, featured a beautiful weekend getaway to a Country Club Plaza Condo and shopping spree in Kansas City, as well as a David Yurman jewelry set.

The organization recently announced that the event garnered just over $16,000 from its loyal and generous supporters! THANK YOU for another great year! We know that college wheelchair athletes will benefit greatly from your remarkable kindness and generosity.

For event photos and other information, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/acsaawcbbbash

US Senate’s Disability Rights Champion,
Original ADA Sponsor, Lends Support to ACSAA

US Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), the original sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and current Chairman of the Senate HELP Committee, has recently lent his support to American Collegiate Society for Adapted Athletics. Senator Harkin noted:

“Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we have made tremendous progress toward the goals of equality of opportunity, full participation in American society, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. Along with promoting public health and wellness, equal opportunity for those with disabilities has been one of my top priorities throughout my years in Congress.

“Promoting regular physical activity for people of all ages is key to a high quality of life, and college athletics provide an excellent opportunity for students to develop these important healthy habits. American Collegiate Society for Adapted Athletics is working to ensure that equal opportunities are available for students with disabilities to participate in a variety of sports through university-sponsored programs, and I’m proud to support them in this effort.”

Thank you so much for your generous support, Senator Harkin!

ACSAA Board Crafts,
Passes Aggressive 2014-2015 Budget and Financial Plan

The Board of Directors of American Collegiate Society for Adapted Athletics convened for its semi-annual meeting on January 11, 2014 in Wichita, Kan. The Board discussed the organization’s past year, the plans for the Bash, and also voted to pass an aggressive budget and fundraising proposal for the upcoming academic year.

Founder and President Rob Egan and ACSAA Board of Directors Member Sierra Scott designed the proposal, which is titled The Egan-Scott Fundraising Strategy and ACSAA Financial Support Plan.

The multi-part proposal of expenditures for ACSAA in the 2014-2015 academic year allows for a sponsorship of the 2014 NIWBT in Arlington, TX, a sponsorship of the 2014 Intercollegiate Tennis Association(ITA) National Tournament in Arlington, TX, a sponsorship of each individual home tournament for the 7 teams in the Intercollegiate Division of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association,  and significant growth to continue hosting a college division for the ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash.

The proposal also includes the allocation of funds to sponsor the 2015 NIWBT in Columbia, MO, and allows for aid to each individual team traveling to Columbia. Travel costs can be an exhaustive expense for our programs, which generally operate on a very limited budget. ACSAA aims to aid and support their endeavors wherever possible.

ACSAA also desires to allow some talented athletes who maybe weren’t considering college to think again by beginning a scholarship fund. Many of our players in the 1st Annual ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash College Division explained that the major reason they were able to pursue their college degree was due to a college wheelchair basketball scholarship. ACSAA and its leaders understand that some programs struggle to provide the amount of scholarships desired to build a strong program, and we seek to support them as much as we are able in gaining talented athletes and bright students for their teams and universities.

The Egan-Scott Plan was approved unanimously, and totals $207,000.  The organization has planned extensive fundraising efforts and will continue to seek national and corporate funding. If you’d like to help us achieve our goals, please email us at . Thank you for your support!

ACSAA Board Selects New Chairman

On January 11, ACSAA also selected a new Chairman of the Board during its Board of Directors Meeting. The organization’s Founder and President, Rob Egan, had been serving as Interim Chairman since July 2013, and officially launched the Chairman’s search in September 2013.

In a letter to the Board, Egan noted his confidence in his nominee’s ability to lead, and the pleasure he felt when he considered the nominee a partner in growth for the organization. After a brief question and answer period with the nominee, the Board unanimously voted longtime ACSAA supporter Edward P. Dunn, Jr., CPA, to be Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Dunn is a member of the ACSAA Founder’s Society and has previously advised ACSAA fundraising efforts. He is a partner at the accounting firm Koch Siedhoff Hand and Dunn, LLP with ACSAA Treasurer John Siedhoff, and regularly supports the ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash via corporate sponsorship.

We look forward to what we know will be an innovative and prosperous time for ACSAA with the guidance of Ed Dunn.

ACSAA Celebrates Record-Breaking Year

ACSAA celebrates a record-breaking year as 2013 comes to a close. In February 2013, our 4th Annual ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash raised $15,800 in Wichita, KS. We were recognized as sponsors of The National Wheelchair Basketball Association Intercollegiate Division Championship Tournament in Birmingham, AL one month later. We marketed our organization to a perfect audience of college student-athletes and coaches, and we planned for a bright future.

We announced pending plans for our  future while unveiling our annual giving goals at our inaugural Founder’s Society Party in April. The Founder’s Society was launched to promote significant annual giving to ACSAA by encouraging each individual attending the party to commit to at least a $250 annual donation to our cause. Thanks to the generosity of some wonderful supporters, the event was remarkably successful, raising $11,000.

When the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Collegiate Division held its coaches meeting in May of 2013, ACSAA received a call informing us of significant support from coaches for a wheelchair basketball tournament hosted under our organization’s umbrella. In June, leaders chose to begin fundraising for this landmark venture.

Planning to host a four team tournament for men’s college wheelchair basketball in conjunction with our annual fundraiser would mean a near $50,000 cost to our organization, since we agreed to fully sponsor participating teams. The participating teams continually face budget frustrations due to limited financial support from their respective universities.

Despite speculation over the feasibility of attaining this monumental goal, ACSAA and its incredibly kind, strong, and generous donors delivered. With seed money approved by the Board of Directors, we raised just over $35,000 in additional funds for the tournament. With widespread support behind our mission, 2013 allowed us to surpass the $50,000, $75,000, and $90,000 historic fundraising milestones in only a matter of months. As we approach the end of the calendar year 2013, our total gifts and pledges since June 2009 total over $91,000!

We were also proud to support a wheelchair basketball competition in Whitewater, WI in November 2013 as the presenting sponsor of the ACSAA Warhawk College Invitational on the campus of The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

In January 2014, ACSAA’s plans will come to fruition in a historic event. The University of Alabama, The University of Texas-Arlington, Edinboro University, and Southwest Minnesota State University will participate in the first intercollegiate wheelchair basketball competition outside of a college campus as they journey to Wichita, Kansas.

And yet, this is only the tip of the iceberg. ACSAA will continue to grow, serve, and impress in 2014 and in the years to come. We hope that you all are ready to join us! Thank you for your phenomenal support thus far. We look forward to a promising future ahead.

ACSAA Announces Plans for Exciting
5th Annual Wheelchair Basketball Bash

The 5th Annual ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash will be an event like none other! Slated as a two day weekend spectacular, the event comes to Wichita, Kansas on January 31 and February 1, 2014.

The event features our typical community division for able-bodied students on February 1, and as is ACSAA tradition, play will be followed by our fantastic dinner and auction. Dinner is brought to us by Abuelo’s Mexican Embassy, and an ice cream sundae bar presented by Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers!

But all of those wonderful traditions will follow something unprecedented this year. ACSAA proudly announces the launch of our first annual college division to the ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash, featuring the men’s wheelchair basketball teams from The University of Alabama, The University of Texas-Arlington, Edinboro University, and Southwest Minnesota State University!

The college division begins on January 31 at 9 AM and continues until 5 PM. Friday games will be played at the YMCA Farha Sport Center, 3405 S. Meridian Avenue, Wichita, KS 67217. The college division continues at 8 AM on February 1 at Wichita Collegiate School Garvey Gymnasiums, 9115 E. 13th Street, Wichita, KS 67206. The community division will immediately follow at 10 AM. Community games will also be played at Wichita Collegiate, going until 5:30 PM.

After the tournament, our dinner and auction will be held beginning at 6 PM in the Wichita Collegiate Upper School Commons, 1221 N. Webb Road, Wichita, KS 67226. With Abuelo’s and Freddy’s providing a delectable spread of food and local celebrity emcees Bonnie Bing and Sierra Scott, you will not want to miss this unforgettable evening! Our silent auction boasts several beautiful packages, and we will also debut a small live auction in 2014!

There is no admission for the Friday games at the Farha Center. Admission for games at Collegiate is $3 on Saturday. Dinner tickets are available for $20, and reserved dinner and auction tables of 10 are $250. For ticket information and reservations, please email Cindy Egan at .

We hope to see you there!

ACSAA Taps Legend As Honorary Chair for Annual Fundraiser

On October 22, 2013, ACSAA made a thrilling announcement! A Kansas legend and an American hero will serve as Honorary Chair for the 5th Annual ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash on January 31-February 1, 2014. US Senator Bob Dole, who represented Kansas in the Senate from 1959-1996 and held a variety of leadership posts, including Senate Minority Leader, Senate Majority leader, Vice Presidential nominee(1976), and Presidential nominee(1996), agreed to serve as Honorary Chair in late October. The Senator is nationally renowned as a voice of reason, and continues his advocacy as a champion of veterans, military, and disability rights. Our organization is ecstatic to have the support of such an amazing man!

Senator Dole will not be present at the event, but his statement of support will be released at a later date.

National Wheelchair Basketball Association
Lends Support to “Bash” with Sanction

In December 2013, ACSAA received national support when the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) announced that the ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash would be an NWBA sanctioned tournament for the participating college programs.

The NWBA was founded shortly after World War II as a vehicle for newly disabled veterans to participate in sports. It now oversees multiple divisions and hundreds of teams across the United States, including High Performance and Paralympic teams, Women’s Wheelchair Basketball, Junior Division Wheelchair Basketball, Championship Division Wheelchair Basketball, Division III Wheelchair Basketball, and Collegiate Men’s and Women’s Wheelchair Basketball.

The sanction benefits include promotional support from the NWBA, a national giant in the adapted athletics community, and that event venues will be insured by the NWBA’s existing policies.

NWBA rules will be in full effect for the college division of the ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash. The officials will be members of the National Wheelchair Basketball Officials Association.

We are pleased to have the support of the NWBA and look forward to the fruits of our continuing relationship with their organization!

ACSAA Spearheads Petition for TV Coverage of Adapted Athletics

Using the public petition platform Change.org, ACSAA wrote a petition as the chief vehicle behind a call to ESPN asking for TV coverage of adapted athletics. The petition has nearly 500 signatures from over 20 US states as of December 2013.

The text of the petition is as follows:

American Collegiate Society for Adapted Athletics (ACSAA) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit based in Wichita, Kansas. The organization was started by Rob Egan, a college freshman who founded ACSAA as a high school freshman. The purpose of the organization is to promote, support, organize, and create adapted athletic opportunities for physically challenged college students.

ACSAA wants to see collegiate adapted athletics have more coverage in the mainstream sports media. We have created this petition as a call to action for ESPN to provide coverage to adapted athletics as an emerging arena of college sports. We need as many voices as we can to show the interest, desire and passion for collegiate adapted athletics! Please sign the petition and let your voice be heard!

To sign, share, or promote the petition, please visit: http://www.change.org/petitions/espn-please-cover...

First Round of Celebrity Challenge Competitors Announced!

The 5th Annual ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash will also include a celebrity challenge match! From 12 noon to 12:20 PM at Wichita Collegiate School on February 1, 2014, 12 local celebrities will go up against each other to demonstrate both the difficulty and the fun of playing wheelchair basketball. This will be a sight to see, and a highlight of the event. Our first round of celebrity participants includes:

Bonnie Bing, The Wichita Eagle freelance columnist and community volunteer

Sierra Scott, KSCW-TV Host, “It’s ALL Good!” and co-host, “The Brett and Sierra Show”

Brett Harris, 99.7 LITE FM host, “Brett Harris In The Morning Show” and KSCW-TV co-host, “The Brett and Sierra Show”

Todd Tiahrt, Former US Congressman (KS-04)

Jody Klein, Owner/Publisher, SPLURGE! Magazine

Michael O’Donnell, State Senator (KS-25)

Denise Neil, The Wichita Eagle columnist

Airin Rhinehart, Mrs. Kansas All World Beauties 2013

New Facebook Profile Launched for “Bash”

It’s no secret that the Wichita, Kansas based ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash is the principal fundraiser and crown jewel event of American Collegiate Society for Adapted Athletics(ACSAA). Since its inception in January 2010, the event has raised over $31,000 for the organization, approximately one-third of its total gifts and pledges as of December 2013.

Considering the event’s growing and continued success, it seemed logical for the organization to create a Facebook page specifically geared toward making announcements about the event. The page is fairly active, with multiple posts each week, and posts becoming more frequent as we grow closer to the event.

We encourage you to “like” our page, and share it with your family, friends, and colleagues! Follow this link to the official page for the ACSAA Wheelchair Basketball Bash: https://www.facebook.com/acsaawcbbbash

ACSAA Begins Search for New Board Chair

In September 2013, ACSAA Founder and President Rob Egan announced plans to begin a search for a new chair for ACSAA’s Board of Directors. Egan was elected President and Chairman of ACSAA and its Board of Directors in July 2013, succeeding Chris Ashbrook, who served as President and Chairman from June 2009-July 2013.

Egan released a statement saying, “I believe that both the organization and myself will benefit from an additional authority and public face for our cause. The activities of the Board of Directors and the activities of the organization’s daily operations each deserve significant attention, and with the continuous growth of ACSAA, the responsibilities would be better fulfilled under the leadership of two people rather than one. A new chair will undoubtedly bring new insights and abilities to advance the betterment of ACSAA, and I am excited to find our next chair.” Mr. Egan agreed to serve as chair until an appropriate nomination is made and approved by vote of the Board.

ACSAA will immediately begin its search and interviews for the Chair’s post. Interested parties should contact us at . We hope to have a new chair in place by July 2014.

Chair Recommends Board Nominees for 2014-2015 Term

As we near the end of the calendar year, it is the tradition of the Chair to make nominations to the ACSAA Board for the upcoming term. On Monday, December 23, 2013, Interim Chair Rob Egan announced his recommendations for nomination to the Board of Directors for the 2014-2015 term.

The chair’s recommendations for nomination to the Board of Directors are:

Jody Klein, Owner and Publisher, SPLURGE! Magazine

Jon McConnell, Criminal Defense Trial Attorney, Monnat and Spurrier Chartered