A long, long time ago in a city only three hours away, the University of Illinois at Galesburg began a highly specialized program in competitive sports: the University of Illinois Gizz Kids. The man who was the catalyst in this proactive movement in wheelchair sports was Timothy J. Nugent (affectionately known as Sarge-uh). The program evolved to include a wide variety of sports ranging from: archery, basketball, bowling, cheerleading and football to swimming, table tennis, and square dancing with the intent to allow students with disabilities to not only achieve academically, but also to participate in related extracurricular activities offered to their able-bodied classmates.

The first Gizz Kid athletes were awakened at the crack of dawn to do calisthenics, then go through a full day of classes, followed by practice, practice, practice. These athletes were members of the first collegiate wheelchair basketball team in the country, and a charter member of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (formed in 1949). Their first competitors, were able-bodied individuals who played exhibition games in wheelchairs. The wheelchairs were 50lb Everest & Jennings (E & J) Standard model chairs made from lightweight chrome plated steel, naugahyde upholstery, sporty hard rubber tires, feather-light sheet metal spoke guards, and even had supportive, fixed armrests and footrests.

The Gizz Kids went on to compete in the first National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament (NWBT) which was hosted by the U of I at Galesburg. From 1948 to 1970 the Gizz Kids finished in the top four of the NWBT 13 times and won the National Championship on three occasions–their first in 1953. Throughout the years, the University of Illinois was at the forefront of wheelchair technology development to enhance participation in sport. The “Illinois Wheel”, a pneumatic tire which improved speed, traction, and maneuverability was developed. In 1967, a new, lightweight sports chair made from stainless steel was developed with Stainless Medical Products, Inc. which led to two back-to-back NWBA National championship titles for the Gizz Kids. These two developments served as a catalyst for ongoing improvements and modifications which are still a focus of today’s wheelchair manufacturers.