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UT Arlington Mavericks men's wheelchair basketball

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A wheelchair basketball team in a huddle
The Movin' Mavs in a huddle before the 2022 National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Men's Championship

The UT Arlington Movin' Mavs men's wheelchair basketball team, previously known as the UTA Freewheelers, is the men's college wheelchair basketball team representing the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Established in 1976 as the UTA Freewheelers, the team played at the club level against other colleges and universities in Texas during the 1970s and 1980s. It has played under the auspices of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) since 1988, when the team was renamed the Movin' Mavs. Its inaugural coach, from 1976 until 2008, was Jim Hayes. The team was coached by Doug Garner from 2008 until 2022 when he retired. In fall of 2022, Aaron Gouge was hired as the new head coach for the team.

The Movin' Mavs have won ten National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament (NIWBT) national championships: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2002, 2006, 2017, 2021 and 2022. The program has produced over 25 Paralympians from 1992 to present.

History

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UTA Freewheelers

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Wheelchair basketball player takes a shot
The UTA Freewheelers in action, undated

The Freewheelers were founded in 1976 at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) by Jim Hayes.[1][2] That year, Hayes also founded and began serving as the inaugural director of UTA's Office for Students with Disabilities.[2] He formed the wheelchair basketball team to "get disabled students out of their rut".[1] The first Freewheelers team had six players, including both UTA students and staff, with Hayes as a player-coach. In 1977, the Freewheelers won one of their first games against the Houston Cougars men's wheelchair basketball team.[3] While the Freewheelers did not have enough players to achieve intercollegiate status, they played as a club team against other colleges and universities in Texas during the 1970s and 1980s. They also played intrasquad games, and by 1987 had enough players to form four separate teams.[2]

Movin' Mavs under Jim Hayes

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In 1988, the UTA Freewheelers joined the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) and changed their name to the Movin' Mavs.[4][5] The name "Movin' Mavs" was suggested by former UTA men's basketball coach Snake LeGrand.[2] In 1991, the team won its first intercollegiate division national championship, defeating the Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks, 58–48. Led by All-Americans Steve Welch, Jesus Alamillio, Willie Hernandez, Jason Van Beek, and Javier Gonzalez, the Movin' Mavs repeated as champions in 1992, 1993, and 1994, defeating the Illinois Fighting Illini in each of those three years.[6] Following the 1993 championship, the Movin' Mavs became the first collegiate wheelchair basketball team to be official guests at the White House when President Bill Clinton invited them.[7] The United States Congress also passed a resolution congratulating the team on winning their third straight national championship.[8]

Movin' Mavs with UTA president James D. Spaniolo in 2006

Following their four straight championships, the Movin' Mavs lost in the championship game in 1995 and 1996, falling to Illinois, 55–53, and Wisconsin-Whitewater, 64–59, respectively. In 1997, UTA defeated Wisconsin–Whitewater, 59–46, en route to their fifth national title. The team fell to Illinois again in the 1998 championship, and then missed the title game for the first time since 1990 during the 1999 tournament. In 2000 and 2001, the Movin' Mavs returned to the national championship game, but lost both games to Illinois, both by eight points.[6] From 2002 to 2006, the Movin' Mavs faced Wisconsin–Whitewater in the national championship game each year. They won in 2002 and 2006, 67–58 and 55–53, respectively, but lost in each of the three seasons between those two championships.[6]

Under Hayes, 20 Movin' Mav players and alumni competed in the Paralympics.[5] Seven UTA players were named most valuable player (MVP) of the NWBA's intercollegiate division: Steve Welch (1991, 1992), Rusty Belknap (1994, 1995), Jason Van Beek (1994), Donnie Keller (1996), Paul Schulte (1999, 2002), Mikey Paye (2006), and Aaron Gouge (2007). A total of 25 Movin' Mavs were named National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament (NIWBT) first-team All-Americans.[6]

Hayes coached the Movin' Mavs until his death in May 2008 at the age of 58.[9] He was posthumously inducted into the NWBA Hall of Fame in March 2012.[10]

Movin' Mavs under Doug Garner

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Wheelchair basketball player takes a shot
The Movin' Mavs in action at Texas Hall in 2011
Free throw during a wheelchair basketball game
The Movin' Mavs in action against the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks in 2020

In October 2008, assistant coach Doug Garner was named the second-ever head coach of the Movin' Mavs. He had arrived at UTA in 2007 as an assistant coach on the staff of Jim Hayes.[11] In his first season as head coach, 2008–09, Garner and the Movin' Mavs finished with a 18–6 record and finished in third place at the 2009 NIWBT tournament in Whitewater, Wisconsin.[12] In the 2009–10 season, the Movin' Mavs finished with a 27–7 record and another third-place finish at the 2010 NIWBT tournament in Marshall, Minnesota, beating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the third-place game.[13] In March 2011, UTA hosted the 2011 NIWBT tournament at Texas Hall.[14] The Movin' Mavs finished their 2010–11 season with another third-place finish in the NIWBT tournament, losing to Illinois in the semifinals before again defeating Alabama in the third-place game.[15] In October 2011, during the Jim Hayes Memorial Tournament, the Movin' Mavs played their last game at Texas Hall.[16] In the 2011–12 season, the Movin' Mavs clinched the number one seed for the NIWBT tournament during the regular season,[17] but were defeated by fourth-seeded Illinois the semifinals of the tournament in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, ultimately besting Alabama once again in the third-place game.[18] Seven UTA alumni competed in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London,[19] including wheelchair basketball players David Eng (who won a gold medal with Canada), Brad Ness (silver medal with Australia), and Jason Nelms and Paul Schulte (bronze medals with the United States).[20]

In January 2013, the Movin' Mavs made their debut at College Park Center,[21] splitting two games of a doubleheader, losing to Alabama 64–56 and then defeating Illinois 59–54.[22] The 2012–13 team entered the NIWBT tournament in Birmingham, Alabama, ranked first in the country,[23] ultimately finishing as runner-up after losing to Alabama 71–52 in the national championship game.[24] The 2013–14 team hosted the national tournament at College Park Center but lost to Wisconsin–Whitewater in the championship game, 55–54.[25] In April 2014, the team played an exhibition game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington as part of the 2014 NCAA Men's Final Four.[26] From October 31 to November 2, 2014, the Movin' Mavs hosted the Jim Hayes Memorial Tournament in memory of long-time coach Jim Hayes.[27] The 2014–15 team finished third in the national tournament in Columbia, Missouri, losing to Illinois in the semifinals, 58–57, but defeating the host Missouri Tigers in the third-place game, 84–53.[28]

The 2015–16 Movin' Mavs finished in third place in the NIWBT tournament after defeating Illinois 63–59 in the consolation game.[29] A total of ten UTA student-athletes and alumni competed in the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, including three Movin' Mavs alumni: Aaron Gouge and Michael Paye, both representing the United States, and David Eng, representing Canada.[30] The 2016–17 team won UTA's first national championship in 11 years, defeating defending champion Wisconsin–Whitewater 76–52 in the title game.[31] The 2017–18 team finished third place in the NIWBT tournament in Marshall, Minnesota, defeating Missouri 49–35 in the third-place game.[32] The 2018–19 Movin' Mavs similarly finished the NIWBT tournament in third place, again besting Missouri, 65–46, in the tournament in Champaign, Illinois.[33] In March 2020, the 2020 NWBA national collegiate tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[34] The 2020–21 Movin' Mavs won the ninth national championship in program history at the national tournament, defeating host Alabama 66–51 in the championship game.[35]

Roster

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Number Player Class Hometown Major
4 Cruz Bryce Cruz 4 Senior United States Houston, Texas Communications
2 Dallaire Vincent Dallaire 1 Freshman Canada Quebec City, Quebec --
55 Gorton Jakob Gorton 1 Freshman United States Dallas, Texas --
35 Hummer, Alex Alex "AJ" Hummer 3 Junior United States Waterloo, Indiana Business Marketing
40 Hummer, Isaac Isaac Hummer 3 Junior United States Waterloo, Indiana Elementary Education
00 Lipscomb Isaac Lipscomb 2 Sophomore United States Homestead, Florida Communications
12 Marendes Carrington Marendes 2 Sophomore United States Woodville, Texas Education and Coaching
1 McCarthy-Grogan Clarence McCarthy-Grogan 4 Senior Australia Darwin, Northern Territory Public Health
5 Saenz Logan Saenz 4 Senior United States Frisco, Texas Business Marketing
25 Summerill Aaron Summerill 1 Freshman United States Orem, Utah --
31 Tyni Topias Tyni 5 Graduate Student Finland Hyvinkää Mechanical Engineering
21 Urquiza Ramiro Cortez Urquiza 4 Senior United States Houston, Texas Spanish
24 Vigoda Amit Vigoda 1 Freshman Israel Omer International Business
3 Wilson Corey Wilson 2 Sophomore United States Carrollton, Texas Business Marketing

Updated for the 2020–2021 season.

Source: [36]

Coaches

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Wheelchair basketball player-coach shoots a layup
UTA Freewheelers player-coach Jim Hayes, undated

Jim Hayes, originally from Fort Worth, Texas, graduated from UTA in 1974 and spent his entire professional career at the university.[37] He served as the director of UTA's program for disabled students. In 1976, Hayes founded the UTA Freewheelers.[38] In 1988, he led the team as they joined the NWBA's Intercollegiate Division and changed their name to the Movin' Mavs. He coached the team until his death in May 2008. He was posthumously inducted into the NWBA Intercollegiate Division Hall of Fame in March 2012. Under Hayes, the team won seven national championships.[39]

Doug Garner, originally from Camden, Arkansas, joined the Movin' Mavs as an assistant coach for Jim Hayes in 2007. After Hayes' death, he was named interim head coach, and was promoted to head coach on October 15, 2008.[11] Garner was inducted into the NWBA's Hall of Fame in March 2019.[40] Under Garner, the Movin' Mavs won three national championships, in 2017, 2021 and 2022.[41]

Season-by-season results

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A wheelchair basketball team posed for photographs while celebrating a championship with the trophy
The Movin' Mavs celebrating after winning the 2022 National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Men's Championship
Statistics overview
Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Jim Hayes () (1988–2008)
1988–1989 Hayes
1989–1990 Hayes
1990–1991 Hayes NIWBT Champion
1991–1992 Hayes NIWBT Champion
1992–1993 Hayes NIWBT Champion
1993–1994 Hayes NIWBT Champion
1994–1995 Hayes NIWBT Runner-Up
1995–1996 Hayes NIWBT Runner-Up
1996–1997 Hayes NIWBT Champion
1997–1998 Hayes NIWBT Runner-Up
1998–1999 Hayes
1999–2000 Hayes NIWBT Runner-Up
2000–2001 Hayes NIWBT Runner-Up
2001–2002 Hayes NIWBT Champion
2002–2003 Hayes NIWBT Runner-Up
2003–2004 Hayes NIWBT Runner-Up
2004–2005 Hayes NIWBT Runner-Up
2005–2006 Hayes NIWBT Champion
2006–2007 Hayes
2007–2008 Hayes
Doug Garner () (2008–2022)
2008–2009 Garner 18–6 NIWBT Third Place
2009–2010 Garner 27–7 NIWBT Third Place
2010–2011 Garner NIWBT Third Place
2011–2012 Garner NIWBT Third Place
2012–2013 Garner NIWBT Runner-Up
2013–2014 Garner NIWBT Runner-Up
2014–2015 Garner NIWBT Third Place
2015–2016 Garner NIWBT Third Place
2016–2017 Garner NIWBT Champion
2017–2018 Garner NIWBT Third Place
2018–2019 Garner NIWBT Third Place
2019–2020 Garner Tournament canceled
2020–2021 Garner NIWBT Champion
2021–2022 Garner NIWBT Champion
Total:

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Notable Movin' Mavs Paralympians

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Jim Hayes -, Won Two Bronze Medals in the 100m and 200m at the 1984 Stoke Mandeville International Games. Later referred to as 1984 Paralympics, but at the time referred to as the for the “Disabled.”

Randy Snow- - One time summer Olympian and five time Paralympian. 1984(Los Angeles), 1984 (Stoke Mandeville), 1988(Seoul), 1992(Barcelona), 1996(Atlanta), and 2002 (Salt Lake City). Won Gold in singles and doubles tennis in 1992. (Barcelona). Won Silver Medal Wheelchair 1500 meters 1984(Los Angeles) and 1984(Stoke Mandeville). Won a bronze medal in Wheelchair Basketball 1996(Atlanta.) First Paralympian to be inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame and second wheelchair tennis player to be inducted into the international Tennis Hall of Fame. 10-time U.S. Open Champion, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and National Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame.

Abu Yilla: One-time Paralympian; 1988(Seoul). Represented Team USA. Won a gold medal for track as a 4x100 participant in 1988.

Gabe Diaz DeLeon: Five-time Paralympian; 1988(Seoul), 1992(Barcelona), 1996(Atlanta), 2000(Sydney), 2004(Athens). Represented Team USA. Participated in track & field- won a gold medal in 1992 in javelin. Won a silver medal in 1992 in discus. Won two bronze medals in 1988 in shot put and discus. Won a bronze medal in 1996 in discus. Won a bronze medal in 2000 in discus.

Enoch Ablorh: Four-time Paralympian; 1992(Barcelona), 1996(Atlanta), 2000(Sydney), 2008(Beijing). Represented Sweden in Wheelchair Basketball.

Greg Speed: One-time Paralympian; 1992(Barcelona). Represented Team USA. Also broke the US national record in the 100m class T-4 race in 1990 and the world record in the 4 × 100 m class T-4 relay race in 1991.

Steve Welch: Five-time Paralympian; 1996(Atlanta), 2000(Sydney), 2004(Athens), 2008(Beijing), 2012(London). Represented Team USA. Participated in Wheelchair Tennis- won a gold medal in doubles in 1996. Won two silver medals in singles in 1996 & 2000. Won a bronze medal in doubles in 2000.

Willie Hernandez: One-time Paralympian 2000(Sydney). Represented Team USA. Won a bronze medal in Wheelchair Basketball in 2000.

Brad Ness Five-time Paralympian; 2000(Sydney), 2004(Athens), 2008(Beijing), 2012(London), 2016(Rio). Represented Australia. Won a gold medal in 2008 and two silver medals in 2004 and 2012 all in Wheelchair Basketball.

Cezar Olivas: One-time Paralympian 2000(Sydney). Represented Mexico in Wheelchair Basketball.

Paul Schulte: Three-time Paralympian. 2000(Sydney), 2008(Beijing), 2012(London). Represented Team USA. Won two bronze medals in Wheelchair Basketball (2000, 2012).

David Eng:  Four-time Paralympian; 2004(Athens), 2008(Beijing), 2012(London), 2016(Rio). Represented Canada. Won two gold medals in 2004 & 2012 and won a silver medal in 2008 all in Wheelchair Basketball.

Campbell Message: One-time Paralympian; 2004(Athens). Represented Australia. Won a silver medal in Wheelchair Basketball in 2004.

Brent Lakatos: Five-time Paralympian; 2004(Athens) 2008(Beijing), 2012(London), 2016(Rio), 2020(Tokyo). Represented Canada. Participated in Wheelchair Racing- won a gold medal in 2016. Has won eight silver medals (3-2012, 1-2016, 4-2020). Won two bronze medals in 2016.

Bob Lujano: One-time Paralympian; 2004(Athens). Represented Team USA. Won a gold medal for Wheelchair Rugby.

Jason Nelms: Three-time Paralympian; 2004(Athens), 2008(Beijing), and 2012(London). Represented Team USA. Won a bronze medal in Wheelchair Basketball 2012. 

Mike Paye:  Four-time Paralympian; 2004(Athens), 2008(Beijing), 2016(Rio), 2020(Tokyo). Represented Team USA. Won two gold medals in 2016 & 2020 in Wheelchair Basketball.

Jon Rydberg: Four-time Paralympian; 2004(Athens), 2008 (Beijing), 2012(London), 2016(Rio). Represented Team USA in Wheelchair Tennis.

Nick Taylor: One-time Paralympian; 2012(London.) Represented Australia. Won a silver medal in Wheelchair Basketball.

Aaron Gouge: One-time Paralympian; 2016(Rio). Represented Team USA. Won a gold medal in Wheelchair Basketball.

Vince Dallaire: One-time Paralympian; 2020(Tokyo). Represented Canada in Wheelchair Basketball.

Ray Hennigar: One-time Paralympian; 2020(Tokyo). Represented Team USA. Won a silver medal for Wheelchair Rugby.

John McPhail: One-time Paralympian; 2020(Tokyo). Represented Australia in Wheelchair Basketball.

Jorge Sanchez: One-time Paralympian; 2020(Tokyo). Represented Team USA. Won a gold medal for Wheelchair Basketball.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Woodward, Danny (Fall 2008). "The Score". The University of Texas at Arlington Magazine. University of Texas at Arlington. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Gandara, Adrian (March 6, 2014). "'Shorthorn' archives: Movin' Mavs through the years". The Shorthorn. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  3. ^ "Freewheelers steamroll UH" (PDF). Texas Disability History Collection. University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. November 8, 1977. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  4. ^ "Movin' Mavs Adaptive Sports Programs". University of Texas at Arlington. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Schack, Jeremy. "Hayes, James Anthony". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d 31st National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. Stillwater, Oklahoma: Oklahoma State University–Stillwater. 2008 – via Texas Disability History Collection.
  7. ^ "Wheelchair Movin' Mavs roll into Washington". Presence. Arlington, Texas: University of Texas at Arlington. July 1993 – via Texas Disability History Collection.
  8. ^ "University of Texas at Arlington Movin' Mavs". Congressional Record. 139 (64). May 10, 1993 – via Texas Disability History Collection.
  9. ^ Rey, Sylvain; Howlett, Abigail (May 28, 2008). "Movin' Mavs head coach Jim Hayes passes away at age 58". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  10. ^ Rains, Justin (March 13, 2009). "Jim Hayes named to Hall of Fame". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Peters, Stephen (October 15, 2008). "Garner selected as next Movin' Mavs head coach". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  12. ^ Detherage, Travis (September 1, 2009). "Movin' Mavs prepare for Coach Garner's second season". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  13. ^ Detherage, Travis (March 23, 2010). "Mavs dry up Crimson Tide to place third at national tournament". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  14. ^ Vann, Charlie (March 10, 2011). "Movin' Mavs ready to lead UT Arlington to victory in championship tournament". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  15. ^ Vann, Charlie (March 20, 2011). "Movin' Mavs take third in National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  16. ^ Detherage, Travis (October 30, 2011). "Movin' Mavs leave Texas Hall on a high note, open season 2-1". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  17. ^ Detherage, Travis (February 27, 2012). "Movin' Mavs nab No. 1 seed for national tournament". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  18. ^ Detherage, Travis (March 18, 2012). "Movin' Mavs take third place in National Intercollegiate Wheelchair basketball tournament". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  19. ^ "7 UTA alumni compete in 2012 London Paralympics". The Shorthorn. August 29, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  20. ^ Luong, Kevin (September 12, 2012). "5 alumni medal in 2012 Paralympics". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  21. ^ Luong, Kevin (January 15, 2013). "Movin' Mavs make College Park Center debut". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  22. ^ Luong, Kevin (January 19, 2013). "Movin' Mavs split double header at College Park Center". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  23. ^ Luong, Kevin (March 7, 2013). "Movin' Mavs defeat Auburn 69-21". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  24. ^ Luong, Kevin (March 11, 2013). "Movin' Mavs look ahead to next season". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  25. ^ DiTienne, Jesse (March 8, 2014). "Wisconsin-Whitewater steals championship from Movin' Mavs". The Shorthorn. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  26. ^ DeTienne, Jesse (April 2, 2014). "Team to play exhibition game at AT&T Stadium". The Shorthorn. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  27. ^ Powers, Jevon (October 22, 2014). "Movin' Mavs to honor founder with tournament". The Shorthorn. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  28. ^ Logan, Cassie (March 7, 2015). "UTA takes third in national tournament". The Shorthorn. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  29. ^ Lopez, Selby (March 15, 2016). "Movin' Mavs place third in national tournament". The Shorthorn. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  30. ^ Gibson, Destine (September 14, 2016). "10 athletes, alumni dominate Paralympic games". The Shorthorn. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  31. ^ Gibson, Destine (March 29, 2017). "Players take charge at National Intercollegiate Tournament". The Shorthorn. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  32. ^ Mody, Abhijit (March 17, 2018). "UTA Movin' Mavs end season with third place win in tournament". The Shorthorn. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  33. ^ Coyle, R.J. (March 16, 2019). "Movin' Mavs finish national tournament with third-place win". The Shorthorn. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  34. ^ Vedia, Arianna (March 13, 2020). "NWBA cancels national tournament, ending the season for Movin' Mavs and Lady Movin' Mavs". The Shorthorn. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  35. ^ Rodriguez, Adrian (March 13, 2021). "Movin' Mavs win ninth national championship title, Lady Movin' Mavs fall to Alabama". The Shorthorn. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  36. ^ "Men's Roster". University of Texas at Arlington. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  37. ^ Austin, John (May 29, 2008). "Farewell to a coach who changed lives". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved April 30, 2021 – via Newspapers.com Free access icon.
  38. ^ Bean, Pat (November 7, 1979). "UTA team has freewheeling style, spirit". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved April 30, 2021 – via Newspapers.com Free access icon.
  39. ^ Detherage, Travis (April 19, 2012). "Former Movin' Mavs Coach, former player inducted into hall of fame". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  40. ^ Vega, Julio (February 27, 2019). "Movin' Mavs head coach to be inducted into Hall of Fame". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  41. ^ Rodriguez, Adrian (March 13, 2021). "Movin' Mavs win ninth national championship title, Lady Movin' Mavs fall to Alabama". The Shorthorn. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
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