A Vision for Inclusive Athletics
When Alec Cabacungan and Sam Milgrom first gathered a handful of classmates for a casual pickup game, they imagined a broader purpose: to embed accessible sport into the fabric of Northwestern life. Their effort quickly evolved from a spontaneous pastime into a structured program that now aims to field an official club team under the university’s banner.
Central to the initiative is a partnership with the Northwestern University Prosthetics‑Orthotics Center, where the team hopes to establish a permanent home. The collaboration provides not only a venue but also a pipeline of expertise and resources that can help the program overcome its most pressing hurdles: securing funding and acquiring wheelchairs that meet competitive standards.
Coaching has become a cornerstone of the experience. Martrell Stevens, a veteran member of the U.S. wheelchair basketball squad, recently led a clinic that introduced participants to the nuances of the sport. His guidance has helped players like Katelynn Graves, a current NUPOC student, and Mariam El‑Khatib, a recent graduate, translate technical skill into community outreach, sharing the program’s impact with peers and local supporters.
Beyond the gym, the team’s growth reflects a larger ambition: to create pathways for students with disabilities to engage in athletics at the university level. By weaving together academic collaboration, community partnership, and grassroots enthusiasm, the program is poised to reshape how adaptive sports are perceived and supported on campus.