Alabama hosts women's wheelchair basketball championship tournament

Gary Cosby Jr., The Tuscaloosa News
·2 min read

The University of Alabama Adapted Athletics program will host the 2023 Women's National Wheelchair Basketball Championship this weekend at Strand-Hardin Arena, and the Crimson Tide team is poised to claim its ninth national title.

The Tide women are seeded No. 1 in the tournament and have a first-round bye, guaranteeing them a spot in the final four.

More:People to Watch: Brent Hardin and Margaret Stran built champions at UA

The University of Arizona, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the University of Texas-Arlington, the University of Illinois, and Alabama form the tournament field. Play begins in Stran-Hardin Arena on Friday with the Crimson Tide playing at 6 p.m.

Mar 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama players look at the teamÕs heritage in all the championship banners on the wall before taking the court during media day for the WomenÕs Wheelchair Basketball National Championship Tournament at Stran-Hardin Arena.
Mar 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama players look at the teamÕs heritage in all the championship banners on the wall before taking the court during media day for the WomenÕs Wheelchair Basketball National Championship Tournament at Stran-Hardin Arena.

"This is the second time we have hosted the national tournament," said Brent Hardin, adapted athletics director at UA. "Alabama fans love athletics and they love supporting Alabama athletics, so to have a chance to come and watch a national championship is a treat for the university and for the whole community."

The admission is $10 for the entire weekend. Children younger 12 years of age will be admitted free. Tickets can be purchased online at the tournament website or in person at the door. UA students will also be admitted free.

Mar 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; during media day for the Women’s Wheelchair Basketball National Championship Tournament at Stran-Hardin Arena.
Mar 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; during media day for the Women’s Wheelchair Basketball National Championship Tournament at Stran-Hardin Arena.

Alabama wheelchair athlete Ixhelt Gonzalez, a freshman from Chicago majoring in elementary education, came to wheelchair basketball before she knew she had a disability of her own.

"My brother has cerebral palsy. He as undergoing rehabilitation after surgery at an institute in downtown Chicago. We met a (wheelchair basketball coach) who invited us to come try out wheelchair basketball. We both got into the sport and practiced with the team," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez discovered after beginning to play wheelchair basketball with her brother that she had bilateral femoral anteversion, a condition that causes the feet to turn in creating what is commonly known as being pigeon-toed.

Mar 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Loeiza Vari Le Roux is interviewed during media day for the WomenÕs Wheelchair Basketball National Championship Tournament at Stran-Hardin Arena.
Mar 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Loeiza Vari Le Roux is interviewed during media day for the WomenÕs Wheelchair Basketball National Championship Tournament at Stran-Hardin Arena.

"It limits me to walking certain distances, and limits jumping and running," Gonzalez said.

"It is something I would not have thought of growing up, but it is a wonderful opportunity to play with a group of strong girls on the team. It definitely means a lot just because I played with my brother for so long and I get to do this for myself, for these women, for my coaches and for my family and former teammates back home," Gonzalez said.

The tournament begins at 10 a.m. Friday with a game between fourth-seeded Arizona and fifth-seeded Wisconsin-Whitewater. At noon, UT Arlington plays Illinois. Alabama's game at 6 p.m. will be against the winner of Arizona versus Wisconsin-Whitewater.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama hosts women's wheelchair basketball championship tournament