Date and Time
Saturday Oct 25, 2014
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM PDT
Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26
9am to 5pm
Free kids wheelchair basketball camp on Saturday, October 25
2 to 4pm
Location
Riley Gym in Norco, CA
Fees/Admission
Kids admission free
Adults $5
Presale tickets are available at Everything Boutique (960 6th St, Norco)
Contact Information
Lonnie Hinchen (951) 345-5703
Description
Press Release
Norco Rolling Devils Annual Wheel Chair Basketball Tournament and Kids Camp
On October 24, 2014 a historic event will take place in Norco. The California Rehabilitation Center will host two of the finest wheel chair basketball teams in California, the LA Clippers and Loma Linda Rolling Bears for a pair of exhibition games for incarcerated veterans*.
The CRC gymnasium was originally built for the US Naval Hospital Norco, a medical facility that dating back to 1945, was a pioneering site for wheel chair sports as a form of physical and emotional therapy for returning Marines and Sailors who suffered wounds and illnesses leading to paraplegia. Wheel chair basketball was born at Cushing Army Hospital on the East Coast and the Norco Naval Hospital in the west with pick-up games between paraplegic patients and paraplegic players vs. teams of “able-bodied men” in wheel chairs.
Long gone Birmingham VA Hospital, located in Van Nuys California, is credited with creating the first rules for wheel chair basketball in late 1946 or early 1947.
On March 18, 1947 the US Naval Hospital’s newly formed Rolling Devils, on their home court in Norco, faced off with Birmingham VA in what evidence suggests was the first competition in history between two fully paraplegic teams from different facilities. The Rolling Devils suffered their only defeat that day before developing a rock and sock ‘em game of basketball never before seen and barnstorming across California. Led by USMC Colonel John “Spider” Winterholler, the Devils took on all comers and compiled an astonishing 25 – 1 record.
On October 24, 2014, the Clippers and Rolling Bears will once again bring exciting wheel chair basketball to the old Rolling Devils home court* and kick-off the only National Wheel Chair Basketball Association sanctioned tournament in Riverside County – named in honor of the fabulous Rolling Devils, who were the first team to capture the nation’s attention and admiration.
The Coach Lonnie Youth Organization is a 501c3 dedicated to motivating and inspiring youth with physical disabilities and special needs through athletics. We thank the many sponsors who have made this exciting Wheel Chair Basketball Tournament and Kid’s Camp possible.
The Fabulous Rolling Devils –
The Trophy below represents the culmination of the 1947 Rolling Devils barnstorming tour. The USNH Norco team crushed the semi-pro Oakland Bittners 38 – 16.
The trophy below was in the possession of the daughter of Johnny Winterholler, first known star of wheel chair basketball. Mrs. Harms (Winterholler) generously donated this prize along with programs, photos and other memorabilia to the City of Norco.
Time:
*October 24, 2014 – Exhibition Games at the California Rehabilitation Center (closed to general public)
October 25 & 26 - Norco Rolling Devils Annual Wheel Chair Basketball Tournament (9am – 5pm) Admission: Adults $5.00
Kids Free (16 and under)
Kids Camp Participants Free
October 25 - Wheel Chair Kids Camp (2pm – 4pm) Free
Where:
Rileys Gymnasium, 3900 Acacia Avenue, Norco, California 92860
Information:
Lonnie Hinchen – (951) 345-5703
Lhinchen@gmail.com
Teams
LA Clippers
San Diego Sabers
Sacramento Rolling Kings
Golden State Road Warriors
Loma Linda Rolling Bears
San Diego Wolf pack
