Tennessee Wheelchair Athletic Association is a 501c-3 non-profit organization that
promotes and supports wheelchair sports and activities though funding by donations and
wheelchair sports exhibitions.
History of Tennessee Wheelchair Athletic Association
The Tennessee Wheelchair Athletic Association as it is know today begin as the Nashville Wheeelcats in 1957,
founded by William “H” and Vena McCormick. Playing wheelchair basketball around the southeast, with teams in
Chattanooga, Atlanta, Tampa, St Petersburg and Miami. The Wheelcats continued to play wheelchair basketball throughout the 60’s.
Winning a national championship in 1968. In 1971 with the great number of players in the Nashville area a second
team was formed in the Music City Wheelers, playing all around eastern half of the US.
In 1976 the Tennessee Wheelchair Athletic Association was formed to sponsor athletes and teams all over Tennessee
including both teams in Nashville as well as teams in Memphis, Chattanooga and Knoxville. The TWAA also begin to
sponsor athletes in Track and Field, Table Tennis and other events. In 1979 the Nashville Wheelcats became the
National Wheelcats in order to support athletes and teams in a wider area than Tennessee. These athletes and teams
begin to travel allover the USA
As the 80’s begin the sport of Wheelchair Tennis begin to grow with tournament all over the USA. In 1985 TWAA sponsored
it first annual tennis tournament, which continues today. The sport of fishing also begins to have tournaments and
TWAA supported avid fisherman to participate in these tournaments. TWAA also begin to sponsor the new sport of Quad Rugby
(Quadriplegics only) which is one of the most exciting sports to watch.
The sport of golf also became a reality to people with disabilities in the 1990’s, with many tournaments being held around
the country. TWAA also begin a disabled water-skiing program in 1997 and today it has had almost a 100 people with disabilities
try water-skiing. In the 1990’s the Paralympics became a part of the Olympics in that host city also host the Paralympics
in the weeks following the Olympics. As wheelchair sports have grown events are held all world wide and TWAA has supported
athletes to travel all over the world to participate.
Through the course of time TWAA has sponsored champions in Basketball, Tennis, Quad Rugby and Track & Field. But more importantly
it has promoted independence, the fullment of dreams, personal accomplishments that has changed many lives of people with
disabilities and none of this would have happened with out the TWAA.
William “H” & Vena McCormick the founders and life long directors of this program
cannot be thanked enough for the contributions and dedication to wheelchair sports
actives.