Roll With It is first-time success, organization continues to wheel ahead

Amelia Hentges had never seen disabled people play sports. That was until she participated in the wheelchair basketball event, organized by Heidi Schwichtenberg. “I had no idea how hard it was going to be to play in the wheelchair,” Hentges said. Serving as the Kimball Area High School basketball team’s captain, Hentges is familiar with the court, just not playing with wheels. “It was really hard to get the ball down the court while wheeling in the chair,” Hentges said. She also found it difficult to pass and shoot. “My family really liked my air ball a lot,” Hentges joked. While playing in a wheelchair was a challenge, Hentges said this was something that she would like to do again. “I felt really good about myself [after the event]. I did two things that I love to do, play basketball and help people.” A rolling success The basketball event, Roll With It, raised funds for disabled players, through the exhibition games, a carnival and a raffle. Organizer Schwichtenberg said that the event raised more than $20,000. The money will go to the teams that played in the event and will help form new teams. Specifically, it will pay for travel expenses and purchase wheelchairs for area players that cannot afford their own chairs. Schwichtenberg said that there were great reactions from the audience. Around 600 people attended the event. “An 8-year-old from the Perham area thought that it was an exciting thing to watch. He said that his favorite part was ‘watching people play in wheelchairs.’” Schwichtenberg was surprised by the response, thinking the boy would be most excited about seeing the Vikings players or Crunch, the Timberwolves mascot. She said that these reactions keep her motivated and inspired to do this kind of work. She also likes educating the community and players about the wheelchair teams. “The able-bodied players looked like they were having fun … some even met new friends [on the wheelchair team]. One player e-mailed me and said it was a great experience.” The spark to keep going While Schwichtenberg felt that the whole event went well, she said the best thing that came out of the event was encouraging disabled players. Schwichtenberg invited a 14-year-old boy with spina bifida to the event. He has been in a wheelchair his whole life. At first, Schwichtenberg didn’t know if she should invite the family, but was glad she did. Being in a wheelchair, the teenager thought that he would never have a chance to participate in sports. Seeing the disabled players changed his mind. “This experience touched me the most.[Disabled] kids that are not in the city don’t know about the opportunities available to them… [This boy] was really excited to see the players and realized that he can play too. I hope to do more of this with Roll With It.” Full time passion Schwichtenberg plans to make Roll With It an annual event that will move throughout the central Minnesota region to promote wheelchair basketball. “I know that I can reach more people if I keep moving this around and keep promoting the game.” By spreading the event into rural areas, Schwichtenberg hopes to encourage more people with disabilities. She would also like to create different Minnesota teams so players won’t have to travel as far to compete, which will help keep traveling costs down. She desires to make Roll With It a nonprofit organization. She has already created a community service account under the name and plans to host events throughout the year. “This is going to seem like a full time job. It is kind of like my hobby or my full time passion,” Schwichtenberg said. Throughout the year, Schwichtenberg works as a volleyball and basketball official in the central Minnesota area. When she is not officiating, she is substitute teaching. She is already gearing up for next year’s Roll With It exhibition. “Next year, I would like to have it during the [high school] basketball season, or at the end. I think that this would have a bigger turnout.” Schwichtenberg also plans to have more pro-athletes. “The Viking Players loved it and said they would put a word in for next year so other players will attend.” More information on future Roll With It events will be posted in the Tri-County News. For more information about wheelchair basketball or joining a team call Heidi Schwichtenberg at (763) 305-3073 or email hammerhoops@hotmail.com.