When Lindsay Zurbrugg first attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater she was asked where she saw herself in 20 years. Her answer came sooner than she could have expected. She noted in 20 years she wanted to be playing for Team USA. That dream became a reality a lot faster when she was selected as a part of the 2017 U.S. Women’s National Team and will take part in the America’s Qualifier. Another young member of the national team stepping up to play at an elite level.

At 13 years old, Zurbrugg discovered she had a spinal defect that lay dormant for the first part of her young life. It was when she was at a summer camp having severe neck pain and later was discovered she was becoming paralyzed from the waist down. She was diagnosed with tethered spinal cord syndrome and she was immediately placed in a rehab hospital. Conveniently enough her nurse in rehab was the head coach for the Junior Portland Wheelblazers Wheelchair Basketball Team. After playing for the Wheelblazers, she made the transition onto the Seattle Junior Sonics team.

She later chose to attend UW-Whitewater with hopes of making a national team. She knew the winning culture, coaching staff and principles taught at Whitewater would give her what she needed to become a standout for Team USA. Zurbrugg notes she thinks Whitewater gives the best training and best opportunities out of any collegiate wheelchair basketball programs.

It is currently her main goal to make the 2020 U.S. Paralympic Team. She always keeps track of where she is at on a national level, what she needs to do to improve and the right steps to take in order to get where she wants to be. With her positive attitude and determined spirit she is sure to reach all of her hopes and dreams.