Boise State University’s Adaptive Athletics program recently received a grant from the United States Tennis Association that will help expand access to wheelchair tennis and support student athletes with disabilities.
The grant is part of the association’s national effort to grow collegiate wheelchair tennis programs and increase participation opportunities for athletes across the country.
“The grant was designed to help grow and support collegiate wheelchair tennis programs around the country,” said Steve Baxter, director of Boise State Adaptive Athletics and head coach of wheelchair tennis.
The funding allowed the program to purchase its first tennis wheelchair, a significant milestone for Adaptive Athletics as it continues to develop its offerings and expand participation.
Adaptive sports equipment can be expensive and highly specialized. Without program owned equipment, some athletes may face delays in participating while they wait to obtain their own custom wheelchair.
“This grant allowed our program to purchase its first tennis wheelchair,” Baxter said.
Having program equipment available will allow student athletes to begin training and competing while they work toward securing their own customized chair.
“The equipment we acquired with this grant will allow at least one athlete to use program equipment to participate and improve skills while waiting to get their own custom chair,” Baxter said.
The grant process reflects the USTA’s strong commitment to supporting wheelchair tennis programs at the collegiate level. While many programs across the country apply for funding, the organization works to provide support to help expand the sport.
“The USTA is outstanding when it comes to supporting collegiate wheelchair tennis,” Baxter said. “Most programs who apply for funding will get some sort of support, though the amount may vary from school to school.”
Baxter believes Boise State’s passion for growing the sport played a role in receiving the funding.
“I believe they can see our love for the sport and our desire to help grow wheelchair tennis here at Boise State and across the country,” he said.
Beyond athletic competition, Adaptive Athletics plays an important role in helping students build community and connection during their college experience.
Finding a sense of belonging can be especially meaningful for students with disabilities, who may have faced barriers to participation in athletics or other campus activities.
“Finding connections while in college is important for any student,” Baxter said. “It can be even more so for those with disabilities who may have experience feeling more separate than their able bodied counterparts.”
Through Adaptive Athletics, Boise State aims to provide students with disabilities the opportunity to experience the same benefits that collegiate sports offer to other athletes.
“The benefits of being a student athlete are numerous,” Baxter said. “We’re trying to help students with disabilities have those same life changing experiences that any other collegiate athlete might have.”
The program also strengthens connections across campus by partnering with groups such as the kinesiology department, student organizations and other athletic programs.
Adaptive Athletics has also developed relationships within the Boise community, collaborating with organizations such as the Gem State Falcons, Idaho Wheelchair Tennis and the Challenged Athletes Foundation Idaho.
Looking ahead, Baxter hopes to continue expanding the program by increasing athlete participation and adding additional adaptive sports opportunities.
The recent grant represents one step toward that larger goal.
“While this grant helps us in a meaningful way, it is just one small step in a long journey to improve the lives of our athletes,” Baxter said.