Jacket Student-Athletes To Assist Saturday Wheelchair Basketball Event

March 27, 2009

ATLANTA — Representatives of the Georgia Tech men’s basketball team, swimming teams and football team will be on hand Saturday evening to support the Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball Jam at Campbell Middle School in Smyrna.

The Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball Jam, in its fifth year, is a fundraising event that raises awareness of sport for youth with disabilities. The event, from 6-9 p.m., is open to the public.

Yellow Jacket student-athletes will not be participating, but will be on hand in a volunteer and support role.

Football standout Roddy Jones and men’s basketball players Alade Aminu, D’Andre Bell, Iman Shumpert, Sam Shew, Brad Sheehan and Zachery Peacock will represent Georgia Tech. Some members of the swimming teams and women’s basketball may also help out.

The event will include a fast-paced game of wheelchair basketball featuring local athletes with disabilities as well as celebrities using sport wheelchairs for the first time. In addition to the game there will be food, fun, music and other activities. Professional athletes and celebrities will be on hand to sign autographs and take photographs, along with the Blaze mascot, a seven-foot tall multi-colored phoenix.

Funds raised from this event will support both organizations in providing opportunities for youth with disability to stay active and learn the skills necessary for success in school and life.