Typical cheers of “Go Blue!” in the Crisler Center will be replaced with chants of “Go Army!” and “Go Navy!” on Nov. 20, as two wheelchair basketball teams representing military veterans take to the court to raise awareness for those with disabilities and to celebrate veterans in the community.
The third-annual U-M Army-Navy Wheelchair Basketball game will feature official wheelchair basketball players, U-M and Eastern Michigan University student veterans and U-M ROTC students. For the first time, the game will be played at the Crisler Center, with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m.
The event is part of U-M’s Veterans Day celebration and the final event of the university’s Investing in Ability Week, a program to recognize the talents and skills of those with disabilities.
“We want this event to be a celebration of both our veterans as well as those with disabilities,” says Gerald Hoff, the event’s organizer and insurance verification representative at U-M. “This year’s game is going to the next level, with fans and players having the chance to enjoy themselves at the Crisler Center.”
The event is free and open to the public.
U.S. Paralympics athlete Scot Severn is scheduled to participate in this year’s game, Hoff says. Severn is an Army veteran who participated in the 2008 Paralympic Games and won a bronze medal in the 2012 Games.
Also for the first time, the event includes four female players: U-M students and Marine veterans Cassie Michael and Marissa Brouwer will play on the Navy team, and Washtenaw County sheriff’s deputies Holly Farmer and Heather Morrison will compete for the Army team.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Regent Katherine E. White, who also is an instructor of law at the U.S. Military Academy and a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve.
Other event highlights include:
• National Anthem performance by the U-M Tri-Service Color Guard and the U-M Men’s Glee Club.
• A silent auction hosted by U-M student veterans in support of the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans and the Student Veterans of America.
• Performances during the game and at halftime from the U-M Dance Team.
For more information about this event, please contact Gerald Hoff at 734-936-8177 or [email protected].
