Movin Mavs

The University of Texas at Arlington administration has long taken pride in making its facilities and programs accessible to disabled students. We recognize that matriculating through the college experience as a fully realized member of the University community is as important to those who utilize mobility apparatus as it is those who do not. Students are students. UTA students attend this great University to develop and expand their potential, to gain knowledge of an ever-changing world, to obtain skills to properly navigate the hilltops and pitfalls of life, to obtain marketable skills essential for gainful employment and to pursue a personal commitment to contribute.

In 1976, the sport of wheelchair basketball was introduced to UTA as a recreational event for disabled students. At this time the team was known as the UTA Freewheelers. In keeping with the philosophy of inclusion, the UTA Student Body and the UTA Administration took an unprecedented step in 1988 to elevate its Wheelchair Basketball program from a recreation based activity, to a recognized intercollegiate athletic program. The team was then accorded the same name as the men's able-bodied team by the UTA Athletic Council. The Student body began to fund full scholarships to its players and UTA joined the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Division.

The UTA Movin’ Mavs began intercollegiate play in the 1989-90 academic year with six players. After qualifying for the National Intercollegiate Tournament, the Movin’ Mavs surprised their competition by making it to the Final Four in its first year. We finished fourth and gained the confidence and experience necessary to take the program to a higher plane.

The following March, in their second year of participation, the UTA Movin’ Mavs won the National Intercollegiate Championship. And the tradition of exemplary performance began.

To date, the UTA Movin’ Mavs have won Seven National Championships. Since joining the Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Division in 1989, 34 UTA Movin’ Mavs have earned First Team All-American recognition, 28 earned Second Team All-American honors, and 9 Movin’ Mavs have been named MVP. Young student Athletes from 8 countries have studied at UTA and played for the Movin’ Mavs. More importantly, the graduation rate for the Movin’ Mavs is extraordinarily high.

 Currently the Movin' Mavs are working to provide additional sport and recreation opportunities for our students with disabilities.  Our Wheelchair Tennis Team won the ITA Doubles National Championship in 2010, and we will be adding additional players to our wheelchair tennis program for the 2010-2011 season.  We will also be providing training and competition opportunities in adapted swimming as well as expanding our program in wheelchair basketball to include additional players, including playing opportunities for female athletes with disabilities.  Our recreational and educational programs have expanded to include sport clinics for people on campus and in our community with disabilities to learn about healthy lifestyle choices in sport and recreation for this population, as well as intramural sport programs on our campus for more opportunities to participate and train.  For the 2009-2010 academic year these included:  Boccia, wheelchair tennis, badminton, billiards, table tennis, soccer, VI Soccer, 4 on 4 wheelchair football, 3 on 3 wheelchair basketball and track and field.

Mission Statement

As you frequent this web site, you will learn how UTA has become a National leader in treating so called (disabled) athletes the same way they treat their able-bodied athletes. Moreover, you will learn how Movin’ Mav players have gone on to Olympic Competition and won Gold Medals for their country and how our Alumni have become fully realized, contributing members of the world community. Equally significant, you will learn how you can contribute to the effort. Thanks for letting us be a part of your life.