Expanding the Ripple Effect

 

Every year, since 1981, Swim with Mike has been a highly anticipated event in the USC community to raise funds for Swim with Mike Foundation to continue their work providing students and athletes with physical disabilities academic scholarships. This year, House of Victory, the Official NIL Collective of USC Athletics, got involved as well, connecting its student-athletes across Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s Water Polo and Men’s Swimming with the chance to be a part of various Swim with Mike events through an NIL opportunity.

Swim with Mike is the tentpole event and fundraiser for the Swim with Mike Foundation, bringing current students, alumni and key stakeholders together and creating community through a variety of sporting events. While House of Victory’s aquatic athletes participated in the more traditional swim events, Men’s and Women’s Basketball athletes participated in the ninth edition of the Swim with Mike Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. 

“USC student-athletes created Swim For Mike back in 1981 and have participated every year since,” said Swim with Mike Co-Founder and Executive Director Ron Orr. “House of Victory’s engagement with Swim With Mike continues the ripple effect of making a difference for student-athletes faced with catastrophic injuries and illnesses regardless of school colors.”

The wheelchair basketball tournament specifically, was created by Zack Wentz, a former Trojan and Swim with Mike scholarship recipient. Wentz grew up as an athlete, but was injured in a ski accident his sophomore year of high school. During his freshman year at USC, Wentz coached an intramural soccer team comprised of his friends, but he missed competing. Enter wheelchair basketball.

“It turned from an idea that I started into something that started to get more and more support, most notably from Swim with Mike,” said Wentz. “It’s been nine successful years at this point. It just keeps growing.” 

Throughout the two-day event, members of the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams got involved, coaching teams, learning how wheelchair basketball works and of course, cheering on all the competitors. 

“The Swim with Mike Wheelchair Basketball Tournament was fun to be a part of simply because it gave me an opportunity to experience my sport in a different light,” said freshman guard Kennedy Smith. “It helps create a sense of belonging and community for players with disabilities. It was so fun to see and be a part of!”

Other athletes in attendance included Kiki Iriafen, Rayah Marshall, Clarice Akunwafo and Talia von Oelhoffen from Women’s Basketball and Terrance Williams and Bryce Pope from Men’s Basketball.

For many of the athletes in attendance, this event provided a first opportunity for the athletes to learn about wheelchair basketball and see firsthand the differences, and similarities, to the game that they are so familiar with.

“It was really cool to be part of the Swim with Mike Wheelchair Basketball Tournament because I got the chance to talk with a professional wheelchair basketball player,” said senior center Clarice Akunwafo. “He explained to me how similar wheelchair basketball is to able-bodied basketball - there are still plays like pick-and-rolls, and a lot of the same strategies apply. He also helped me understand how important speed and wheelchair control are in the game. It made me realize how diverse and adaptable the sport of basketball can be.”

For the USC athletes who attended, it was more than just a lesson in the game. It was also a lesson in gratitude, humility, teamwork and so many of the other characteristics that make them so successful in their own crafts. 

Through it all, there were high-fives all around, cheers and of course at the end, a trophy presentation for the winning team, Wentz’ squad. But win, lose or tie, the Swim with Mike Wheelchair Basketball Tournament was an opportunity for athletes of every ability to get involved and be a part of something special.

“This is for everyone,” Wentz said. “You compete to win. It’s not just for students with disabilities, it’s for students with disabilities, students who are able-bodied, people who just want to play wheelchair basketball.”

For more information about events like this one, follow House of Victory on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. If you’d like to make a charitable contribution to support the work of House of Victory student-athletes in the community at events like this, you can make a tax-deductible contribution here.