“After facing an unexpected turn in life, a professor from NCCU is now on her way to being inducted into the wheelchair basketball hall of fame.”
A professor from North Carolina Central University will soon be honored with induction into the National Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame.
Andrea Woodson-Smith, a college student from Texas, had the passion and body type to participate in women’s basketball. However, due to a disability, she was restricted to playing while seated in a specially designed wheelchair for competitive wheelchair basketball.
She made it her goal to promote the sport globally and locally, treating it as a game. From the beginning, her aspiration was to participate in women’s basketball.
However, the condition of arthritis in both hips worsened.
Her professor gave her hope by mentioning that she was eligible to participate in wheelchair basketball.
The motivation behind Woodson-Smith’s decision to train for Team USA in this sport.
“After a difficult time not being able to play basketball, having it back in my life was an amazing feeling,” stated the individual.
Andrea Woodson-Smith is set to be enshrined in the National Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame.
In the end, her arthritis caused her plans to change once again. She observed that men held a greater presence in the sport and that women had fewer chances. Additionally, they received lower salaries.
Woodson-Smith stated that by providing grants, she aided the NWBA (National Wheelchair Basketball Association) in removing financial obstacles for individuals.
She was employed by the United States Department of State for their program called “sports envoy,” which allowed her to travel globally and create opportunities for girls and women in sports.
Woodson-Smith maintains her position as the interim chair of NC Central’s department of kinesiology and recreation administration, which is in line with her enduring history of dedication to the university.
She stated that the path was already set for her and all she had to do was follow it, leading her to unexpected destinations. She never envisioned leaving the United States or that her life would turn out so wonderfully.
On April 13, Woodson-Smith’s husband and children will accompany her when she is inducted into the NWBA Hall of Fame in Richmond, Virginia.
Source: wral.com