On the campus of UT Arlington, it’s the end of an era for the Movin’ Mavs.
The team is moving from its longtime home. UTA’s Physical Education Building will soon be torn down.
“It’s really sentimental because I feel like the [Physical Education Building] has shaped me into the person I am today,” said player Kesean Paire. “It taught me a lot about myself, and I just was able to grow in this gym.”
The building has been home to the program for decades.
It is one of the winningest wheelchair basketball college programs in the country.
Head coach Aaron Gouge won a national championship while a student at UTA, then won a gold medal for Team USA at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.
“It feels like I spent probably half my life in this building, so it’s super sentimental to get these last games here,” Gouge said.
After Saturday night’s game, the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball programs will move to College Park Center and transition to UTA’s athletics division.
“It’s been fun that it’s been our space, but it’s going to be even better to be part of the athletic program,” said Gouge.
The team will have access to everything other varsity teams have, including trainers and academic resources.
“We’re going to have more opportunities to be successful, not only as student athletes, but in the classroom,” said Paire.
Paire said he and his teammates remain focused on winning another national title this spring. High expectations they’ll take to their new home.
“As a person and as a student athlete here, we just want to be able to carry on that legacy,” Paire said.