Photo By Dorie Heyer | 221005-N-FV109-0957 MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (October 5, 2022) Sailors and...... read more read more
(MECHANICSBURG, Pa.) – Sailors and civilians from Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Business Systems Center (BSC) joined staff and students from Mechanicsburg area schools for the 31st Annual Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at Mechanicsburg Middle School, October 5.
The event brought together Navy personnel with the local community in support of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and featured teams from Mechanicsburg Middle School, Mountain View Middle School, the Chairiot Express, and Navy military and civilian personnel from Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg.
"This is a great opportunity to come together with our local community and recognize the many contributions workers with disabilities make every day across the nation,” said Capt. Gene Cash, commanding officer, NAVSUP BSC. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we’ve not been able to do this for the last two years, so I’m thrilled we’re able to come together again and hold this event.”
This year’s theme, “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation,” celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices.
“Since the disability status of individuals can change at any time, a workplace designed to accommodate a wide range of abilities, disabilities, and other factors, ensures the continued mission readiness of our organization,” said Cash. “This is critically important for us to accomplish our mission of delivering information technology and information management solutions for the Navy, Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and international partners.”
The tournament opened with the singing of the national anthem, led by the Mechanicsburg Middle School 8th Grade Chorus Ensemble, and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mechanicsburg Middle School Student James Roth.
During the tournament, teams competed for the title of wheelchair basketball champion in front of stands packed with students, faculty, friends, family, and Navy military and civilian guests and participants.
"The last three years have been tough on everyone, so it’s great to once again be able to get together and take part in this event,” said Shearod Learn, Chairiot Express wheelchair basketball team captain. “This event helps bring awareness that people with disabilities can do anything they want and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
In addition to playing on the team, Learn helped organize the Chairiot Express team and provided wheelchairs for all the players.
The bracket-style tournament kicked off with a game between Mechanicsburg Middle School students and staff. The staff won the game 16-0, advancing to the next round. Game two featured a spirited competition between Mountain View Middle School students and staff, with the staff team coming out on top with a score of 4-0.
Game three was a matchup between Mechanicsburg Middle School students and staff and Mountain View Middle School students and staff. Mountain View won the game 6-2. Game four featured Mechanicsburg Middle School vs the Chairiot Express, with the Chairiot team winning 22-2.
Game five was the highly anticipated matchup between NAVSUP BSC civilian employees and NAVSUP BSC military. The hard-fought game saw the civilian team win with a score of 10-2, advancing them into the final against the Chairiot Express. Game six saw Mechanicsburg Middle School defeat NAVSUP BSC military 6-2 in the loser's bracket.
The championship game between the Chairiot Express and NAVSUP BSC civilian employees was a back-and-forth game before the Express took over late in the game, winning 14-8.
The event concluded with Cash providing certificates to the participants and passing the championship trophy to the Chairiot Express team.
“I want to thank everyone who had a hand in putting together this great event and I hope we are all able to come back together next year and do it all over again,” said Cash.
The game was live-streamed via the NAVSUP BSC Facebook page.
NAVSUP BSC provides the Navy with information systems support through the design, development, and maintenance of systems in the functional areas of logistics, supply chain management, transportation, finance, and accounting and is one of 11 commands under Commander, NAVSUP.
For more information about NAVSUP BSC, visit https://www.navsup.navy.mil/NAVSUP-Enterprise/NAVSUP-Business-Systems-Center/.
For more information about 2022 National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam.
| Date Taken: | 10.06.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2022 15:27 |
| Story ID: | 430884 |
| Location: | MECHANICSBURG, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 206 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Wheelchair Basketball Returns, Raises Community Awareness for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, by Thomas Zimmerman, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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