TriWest Proudly Sponsors Wheelchair Football Clinic
The energy inside Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 25 was extra high as more than 500 athletes participated in the opening ceremony of the 43rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games in New Orleans.
The event, co-presented by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), is the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports and rehabilitation event solely for military veterans.
Hosted this year by the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System and the PVA Bayou Gulf States Chapter, the energy of New Orleans was present as the athletes paraded with their state or territory pride visible in colorful uniforms, vibrant music, and spirit. Hannah Storm, a notable television sports journalist, producer and director, served as emcee for the opening ceremony.
“This event is not only an opportunity for Veteran athletes to display their athleticism but a chance to come together and support one another,” said Donna Hoffmeier, senior vice president of TriWest’s Strategic Communications and Advocacy. “The camaraderie at this event is always very special to see, and TriWest is proud to be a longtime sponsor of the Games, as well as supporter of Veterans being involved in adaptive sports and activities.”
The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is open to all U.S. veterans with spinal cord injuries, amputations, multiple sclerosis, or other central neurological conditions who require a wheelchair for athletic competition.
Between July 25-30 a total of 529 Veterans from 48 U.S. states and Puerto Rico vied for medals in 23 events, ranging from archery to bass fishing to adaptive fitness. A record 159 Veterans were participating for the first time, including John Benner of Rigby, Idaho. Benner was the lone athlete representing the Gem State and part of the SLC Mountain State Outlaws team in New Orleans. Benner, a former Air Force Airman First Class, was talking with his recreation therapist at the Salt Lake City VA about getting a handcycle so he could get outside and enjoy the beauty Idaho offers when she encouraged him to get involved with the Wheelchair Games.
“She started telling me about how I could compete in handcycling, but I didn’t feel like I was ready for that,” Benner said. “She started telling me about all the other events I could take part in, so I decided that it’s a new experience that I haven’t done before, so I signed up.” Benner earned a gold medal in motorized slalom and a silver medal in air rifle. “I don’t compete to compete against other people, I compete to compete against myself and improve what I can on a personal level,” he said. “If it matches up with other people – great – but I want them to be able to succeed and improve themselves.”
The oldest competitor in New Orleans was 77 years old while the youngest Veteran athlete was 24. The 2024 competition also featured 77 women Veterans, which was an event record as well. All 32 PVA chapters were represented as well as 98 VA facilities.
“It is great to see this important event continue to grow,” said Glenn Gray, TriWest vice president of Military and Veteran Engagement. “The display of athleticism was very impressive this year, but most importantly was the support for one another that was so evident amongst the Veteran athletes.”
Wheelchair Football Clinic Met with Enthusiasm
TriWest Healthcare Alliance (TriWest) was proud to sponsor a clinic on wheelchair football on July 25, as the sport has grown in popularity in recent years and may become a new National Veterans Wheelchair Games event in the future.
“It was great to see the big smiles and hear the excitement as the Veterans learned the ins and outs of wheelchair football and then took the field to give it a try. There was a lot of laughter, joking, and, most importantly, encouragement amongst the competitors, which is the heart of what this event is all about,” said Gray.
Around 50 athletes eagerly learned how to complete pass plays, juke defenders, and other skills. There are currently 14 teams in the USA Wheelchair Football League, which is made possible in part by a National Football League and Bob Woodruff Foundation Salute to Service partnership.
“This was fun. I always wanted to give it a try just to see what it was going to be like,” said Robert York of Woodbury, Minnesota, who participated in the exhibit. “I like how the wheelchair skills seem to be a lot of the same as for basketball.”
York served as a flight surgeon’s surgical assistant in the Air Force and Air National Guard but retired from service shortly after a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Representing the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, York is looking forward to more opportunities to get involved with the wheelchair football program.
“I’m looking forward to playing more. There’s talk of a tournament in Minnesota so hopefully I can be a part of that,” York said. His home state will host the 44th National Veterans Wheelchair Games July 17-22, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Achieving Beyond Expectations
Tina Tuell of Spokane, Washington, really noticed the camaraderie at the event. The former U.S. Navy seaman enjoyed “encouraging and watching others participate.” Tuell shared that she surprised herself earning a gold medal in motor slalom and silver medals in bowling and motor rally. The 62-year-old Veteran also competed in adaptive fitness.
“I got a gold medal in every event last year. I didn’t think I’d be a threat to anyone so that was pretty exciting,” Tuell said.
Martha Chavez, 60, of Fresno, California, wasn’t involved in any sports as a child. “I never saw myself as an athlete,” said Chavez, a former U.S. Army sergeant, who earned a gold medal in all five events in which she competed – archery, bowling, discus, javelin, and shot put.
Chavez, like many of the participants at the Games, became involved with the event after being encouraged to participate by her local VA.
“My therapist asked me what sport I wanted to do. He said you’re going to do something,” Chavez recalled. “He sent me off to a Paralympic sports camp in San Diego. They didn’t give you a choice of what sport you wanted to do – you tried everything. Archery was one of them, and I eventually fell in love with it.”
No matter their journey to get to New Orleans, the Veterans competing in the 43rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games showed the Big Easy what it means to never give up.