Army Announces 2011 Army Warrior Games Team

Filed under Warrior Games by on February 18, 2011 at 4:28 pm {no comments}

Warrior Games Logo

By Erich Langer, WTC Stratcom

The U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command (WTC) announced the selection of wounded warrior athletes that will represent the Army at the 2011 Warrior Games.  The Army team consists of active and reserve component Soldiers stationed in commands around the world as well as Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Soldiers and Veterans.

The competition, which is a joint effort between the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Department of Defense, will take place May 16-21, 2011, at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO.  The second annual Warrior Games will feature 200 wounded, ill, and injured servicemembers from all branches of the U.S. armed forces.  Competitors will compete in several sports including shooting, swimming, archery, track and field, cycling, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball.

“Working with the USOC team for the benefit of our Army athletes is truly inspiring,” said BG Darryl Williams, WTC Commanding General. “Warrior Games 2010 was an overwhelming success for athletes, Families, and spectators.  I am excited for the opportunity our Army team will have to compete and win at the USOC National Training Center in May.  I am confident that the memories our athletes will make will be carried with them for a lifetime.”

The concept for Warrior Games was conceived in 2009 with inspiration from former WTC Commander BG Gary Cheek, USOC, United Services Organization, and Ride 2 Recovery with the goal of empowering wounded warriors to use adaptive sports to accelerate the healing and rehabilitation process.

“Warrior Games has proven to be a galvanizing effort that has helped Warrior Transition Unit Soldiers and AW2 Veterans get excited and motivated about participating and competing in sports,” said MSG James Shiver, WTC non-commissioned Officer-in-Charge of Adaptive Sports. “Physical activity has been proven to be important in mental and physical well-being; and, if we can help facilitate Soldiers getting off the couch and away from video games and other sedentary activities, everyone will benefit.” (more…)

Army 2011 Warrior Games Basketball Team Shapes Up

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games by on December 16, 2010 at 4:25 pm {no comments}

By Alan Morales, WTC Stratcom

“]

SSG Shaw Alexander, SPC Craig Smith, SPC Lorena Pratt, CPL(R) Perry Price, MAJ Christopher Cooper, and 1LT Taylor Ward (left-to-right) huddle-up during their wheelchair basketball clinic at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Competition is something that resonates with each Soldier–a foundation for achievement and success. For a certain group of Army wounded warriors, it’s the way that 10 of them will have a chance to earn a spot on the 2011 U.S. Army Warrior Games Basketball Team.

Last weekend, 27 wounded warriors travelled from around the globe to the University of Texas–Arlington (UT–A) and participated in a basketball clinic with the UT–A Movin’ Mavs Basketball Team, one of the premier wheelchair basketball teams in the country. The clinic is one of the qualifying tournaments that will eventually determine the 2011 U.S. Army Warrior Games Basketball Team.

Last year, the U.S. Army Warrior Games Basketball Team won the silver medal in a fierce competition against the U.S. Marines. However for MSG James Shiver, who is the Army’s liaison for the Warrior Games, placing at Warrior Games is not the only goal. Shiver explains, “The Warrior Games, along with adaptive sports in general, offers wounded warriors the opportunity to continue to excel in athletics, while enabling them to succeed in other areas of their lives.”

A Department of Defense initiative with the U.S. Paralympics and the military branches, the Warrior Games offer wounded warriors the chance to compete against each other in numerous sports. Warrior Games athletes compete in 7 sports: wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, cycling, swimming, archery, shooting, and track and field.

Athletic competition is no stranger to Soldiers. The Warrior Games allows wounded, ill, or injured Soldiers to pursue their love of sports while excelling at something that can assist in physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing Army beat Navy?

Soldiers interested in being considered for the U.S. Army’s 2011 Warrior Games Team can submit applications by contacting their chain of command. Soldiers in the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) can contact their AW2 Advocate for more information.

RSS feed

Write a blog for WTC

Warriors in Transition can submit a blog by e-mailing WarriorCareCommunications [at] conus.army.mil.