SPIRE Institute Named Official Training Site for The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Join us for the Send-off of USA Men's Wheelchair Basketball Team to the London Paralympic Games

GENEVA, OH, August 22, 2012 (Press-News.org) The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) has entered into a formal agreement with SPIRE Institute to be an official training site for the NWBA. The U.S. Men's Team has used SPIRE for its selection and training camps and will be the site of the send-off to London on August 25th. We are in the planning stages to develop a mutually beneficial partnership that will allow us to hold athlete, coach and official's camps, clinics, and potentially competitions in the coming years.

Team USA has been training at SPIRE, one of the largest athletic competition and training complexes in the world, in preparation to take on the world in London. "SPIRE provides us with world-class facilities and services that are second to none that I have seen during my career playing the sport internationally. Our chances of performing our best are stronger as a result of our SPIRE partnership. We are excited to represent SPIRE, Northeast Ohio and the USA while we are in London!" co-captain Will Waller said.

The USA Men's Wheelchair Team has not seen the medal stand since the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games and it has been 24 years since their last gold medal. However, the veteran-heavy team is coming off a first place finish in May at the BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester, England and expectations to reach the top of the podium in London are high.

The send-off at SPIRE, presented by Invacare, will follow the team's final intrasquad scrimmage the morning of the 25th, which will be open to the public. Come see how the sport of wheelchair basketball is performed at its highest level and support the team! Olympic gold medalist swimmer Diana Munz, will speak during the event along with Ohio Senator Capri Cafaro. Also speaking is a representative from the Cleveland Cavaliers. The send-off event and USA Men's Wheelchair Basketball team is supported by the Cleveland Cavaliers, United Airlines, Goodyear, The Residence Inn of Mentor and Dave's Cosmic Subs.

Help send the team to London in true Cleveland style! During the event, gourmet chefs at SPIRE Fuel will prepare free hors d'oeuvres and refreshments for everyone. Children and adults may get their photo taken with the Cleveland Cavaliers mascots, Sir CC and Moondog. Following the event, SPIRE Fuel will offer a discounted Olympic lunch special to the public.

As the wheelchair team departs SPIRE, there will be a procession led by the Ohio Highway Patrol to Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport. There, the Paralympians will be greeted by Ohio boy and girl scouts, civic groups and individuals looking to wish the Wheelchair Basketball team the best of luck one last time as they set off on their quest for a gold medal!

To get involved in the send-off, please contact Davis Trosin at 517-879-8227 or dtrosin@spireinstitute.org.

Media, please sign in with Davis Trosin at the SPIRE front desk.

Schedule of Events
9:00-10:30 a.m.- Final Scrimmage
12:00 p.m.- Send-off Event at SPIRE
12:45 p.m.- Departure from SPIRE
1:45 p.m.- Arrive at Cleveland Hopkins Airport
Price: Free of charge
Location: SPIRE Institute, 1822 S. Broadway, Geneva, Ohio 44041

About SPIRE Institute SPIRE Institute, in Geneva, Ohio, integrates sports and education, training and wellness with a focus on the development of the whole self. It features 750,000 sq. ft. of Olympic grade facilities under roof, acres of outdoor fields and a multi-sport stadium complex. SPIRE and its nationally renowned coaches offer residential high school and post grad academy programs, summer and holiday camps, and weekend training sessions in soccer, track & field, volleyball, swimming and basketball (with more sports to follow). Junior athletes train alongside collegians, professionals, wounded veterans, Olympians, Paralympians and masters level athletes. SPIRE features athletic development programs with Michael Johnson Performance, mental skills training, sports medicine, nutrition and wellness programs, and a variety of customized high school and collegiate academic options. SPIRE can simultaneously host clubs, leagues, tournaments and championship events, in multiple sports, no matter the weather or the season.

About the National Wheelchair Basketball Association
The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) is comprised of over 200 basketball teams across twenty-two conferences and seven divisions.

NWBA's core values will guide us in achieving our vision and mission.
¨ We value unequivocal excellence in all aspects of the organization.
¨ We strive for excellence with integrity and respect.
¨ We recognize our rich tradition as a solid foundation.
¨ We celebrate the development of our members and our community.
¨ We believe in the pursuit of competitive excellence always

The NWBA is the oldest disabled sports organization, founded in 1948 to assist World War II veteran's with their rehabilitation. Today over twenty three hundred players including over three hundred disabled veterans compete every season. For more information, please go to http://www.nwba.org.