TriWest Honored to Sponsor at Premier Wheelchair Competition for 10th Year
Resiliency. Camaraderie. Determination. These are a just a few words defining what athletes displayed at the 44th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Ranging from age 19 to 90, 537 U.S. Veteran athletes competed in 23 events at the Minneapolis Exhibition Center and other nearby sites July 17-22. The event, co-presented by the 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.
“When you get here, you feel the energy here,” said Army Veteran Darnell Calahan of Nevada.
TriWest Healthcare Alliance (TriWest) is honored to be an annual sponsor of the Wheelchair Games with the 2025 event being its 10th year. This year, TriWest sponsored the Games’ very popular wheelchair rugby competition.
“TriWest’s commitment to this event is important not only for helping Veterans gain new skills and realize their full potential, but also for the lasting friendships that get formed,” said Donna Hoffmeier, TriWest senior vice president, Strategic Communications and Advocacy. “We are inspired by the commitment to excellence all of the Veteran athletes display.”
The National Veterans Wheelchair Games event is open to all U.S. Veterans with spinal cord injuries, amputations, multiple sclerosis, or other central neurological conditions that require a wheelchair for athletic competition. The event location rotates yearly and continues to grow in size, excitement and energy. The event heads to Detroit in 2026.
The Wheelchair Games started as a small event in 1981 with seven sports and 77 athletes and has since grown into a very meaningful and enriching event for Veterans.
“We have a name for it – it’s the ‘Spirit of the Games.’ It’s not just about the medals, it’s about that camaraderie,” said Marine Corps Veteran Todd Kemery of Minnesota, who competed in his first Games in 2001. Kemery currently serves as a national director with PVA.
Ohio Veterans were the largest athlete contingent competing this year. Athletes from 48 U.S. states and Puerto Rico representing 90 local VA medical centers competed for medals in 23 events, ranging from powerlifting to cornhole to slalom. A record 179 Veterans participated for the first time.
Wheelchair Rugby Thrills Competitors and Crowd
The gold medal games for wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball closed out the 2025 Games in dramatic fashion. Both competitions went down to exciting finishes with the winners being determined in the closing seconds.
“TriWest was thrilled to have the opportunity to sponsor wheelchair rugby,” said Glenn Gray, TriWest’s vice president of Military and Veteran Engagement. “It is one of the most popular events at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games because of the fast pace and being the only full-contact sport. But, most of all, it brings together Veterans working toward a common goal and sharing in the enjoyment that comes along with that.”
TriWest’s sponsorship of wheelchair rugby contributed to memorable enjoyment for the competitors.
“We are here for the camaraderie, the team spirit, and to really enjoy playing some sports, especially wheelchair rugby,” said Air Force Veteran Phil Schweizer of Texas, a member of the 2025 gold medal-winning rugby team.
Expanding Borders Through Sports
“I really found a great community here with other people that understood me,” said Marine Corps Veteran Noah Currier of Illinois. “Everyone when they get out of the military misses their unit. You do find that though in adaptive sports.”
Currier, like many of the participants at the Games, became involved after being encouraged to participate by his local VA.
“The VA has been instrumental in my recovery. I had a good caseworker in Palo Alto when I was there who got me connected to competing in various Games. It was a great introduction to sports,” said Navy Veteran Austin Parker of California. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone to come together and feel that camaraderie and see the things they can do and open up all those doors to show that we’re not limited in what we can do.”
Parker has benefitted from VA programs in Palo Alto and Fresno to fuel his competitive spirit and is currently a member of Team USA’s para bobsled team.
“My kids’ voices always cut through the crowd noise,” Parker said after completing the Wheelchair Games’ slalom competition. “My son always says ‘Go, Daddy, go,’ and I absolutely love it. It’s become my mantra for bobsled before I get launched down the track.”
Lifelong Friendships Formed
With 358 returning Veterans at this year’s Wheelchair Games, creating and renewing friendships were key factors in their continued participation.
“You make lifetime friends. Two days ago, I met a guy during bowling who had never bowled before. I started helping him and giving him some pointers and he said he wants to be my pen pal. That’s just so inspirational – to know that there is someone else that you’re helping and can do stuff with,” said Air Force Veteran Renae Byrd McMinn of Colorado, who competed in her third Wheelchair Games. While swimming is Byrd McMinn’s primary sport, she also participated in softball this year and contributed two RBIs in the championship game to help her team win gold.
Byrd McMinn and fellow swimming teammate Erin Cavit of Colorado both serve on the PVA Mountain States Chapter Board of Directors as they continue to give back in many ways.
“I’m a reading teacher. When somebody gets through the lane and finishes the race, it’s the same thing I get when I teach someone to read. The first time they get through a book they’re like ‘Oh my gosh, I’m a reader!’ I watched this one gal here struggling and she said she was gonna quit. But we were all there cheering her on, and she said, ‘I can muscle through this, and finish this race.’ It’s just so inspiring to see,” said Cavit, an Air Force Veteran.
One thing was clear at the 2025 National Veteran Wheelchair Games – whether it was someone’s first Games or 20th time competing, lives continue to be transformed through this enriching event.
Check out TriWest’s inspiring video from the 2025 National Veteran Wheelchair Games.