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SHERMAN, TEXAS—Austin College members of the campus Rotaract Club are sponsoring a “Wheelchair Basketball Shootout” to raise funds for people who need but cannot afford wheelchairs. This annual event supports the work of The Wheelchair Foundation, dedicated to providing over 1 million wheelchairs to people around the world who are in need of a wheelchair. The Shootout will take place during halftime at the Austin College men’s basketball game Saturday, November 16, in Hughey Gym of the Robert Mason Athletic/Recreation Complex. The game begins at 7 p.m.
Several Austin College student teams will compete in Wheelchair Basketball games to see who will face off against the faculty team of Jessica Healy (biology), Ryan Felix (chemistry), Martin Wells and Bob Cape (classics) and Ian MacFarlane (psychology). Rotaract members are accepting donations and offering a raffle for prizes donated by local businesses.
It is estimated that 100 million people worldwide need wheelchairs and only 1 percent can afford one. The Austin College Rotaract students have raised funds for several wheelchairs in recent years, with those funds matched by the Rotary Club of Grayson County.
“I am so inspired by the annual Wheelchair Basketball Shootout because students, faculty, and staff on campus become more aware of the importance of wheelchairs to those who need mobility—while creating an event with friendly competition and high spirits,” said Rotaract president and biochemistry major Connie Herrera. For more information about the event, reach Herrera at cherrera10@austincollege.edu
“The Rotaract students have really stepped up to help people in need, people who lack mobility and are isolated,” said Bob Cape, professor of classics at Austin College, who serves as the Rotaract sponsor and is a Rotarian. “Many people in the community—Rotarians, business leaders, students, and faculty—have come together to help, and we are very thankful.”
Rotaract is an international service and leadership club for college students, supported by Rotary International.
Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives.
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