One to One with Bill Goodman:
Dr. Tim Nugent
premiered May 11, 2008
Bill Goodman speaks with Dr. Tim Nugent, the first commissioner of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, on this edition of One to One.
Nugent organized the first National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament while he was a doctoral student at the University of Illinois in 1949. As the sport grew, he convened a general meeting and organized a group of officers that eventually led to the establishment of the NWBA. He still serves as technical adviser to the organization.
In the interview, Nugent discusses the benefits of participation in sports for the wheelchair-bound, including increased self-confidence, diminished self-consciousness, and a more visible presence in communities. He also talks about the early stages of the NWBA and changes that have occurred since its inception. For instance, advances in wheelchair technology, including improved wheels and frames, anti-tipping devices, and much lighter weights, have made the games faster and more competitive, with scores now frequently breaking the 100 mark.
Nugent goes on to address the issue of the accessibility of public buildings to people with disabilities. While many physical changes have been made and ramps have been built, he says, the much more difficult task of changing people’s attitudes still lies ahead.
