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2020 NWBA Intercollegiate Division Hall of Fame Inductee Announced

By NWBA Team, 03/25/20, 4:15PM CDT

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Tracy Chynoweth

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The NWBA and Intercollegiate Division Executive Committee are proud to announce the class of 2020 for the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Intercollegiate Division Hall of Fame. The 2020 Intercollegiate Division HOF inductee is an individual, who made an impact on numerous lives and the game itself during their involvement in wheelchair basketball in the Intercollegiate Division. This year’s inductee is: Tracy Chynoweth

Coach:

Tracy Chynoweth, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Chynoweth, from Cottage Grove, WI, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine. He then went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration while filling a two-year Graduate Assistant Position at Ball State University under the leadership of Dan Byrnes. Byrnes, an NWBA Hall of Fame Coach, was serving as Head Coach of the USA Men’s National Team at the time as well as coaching the Indianapolis Racers and introduced Chynoweth to the sport. Soon after graduating from BSU in May 1998, Chynoweth began a long coaching tenure with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. During his time as a coach in the Intercollegiate Division of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association from 1998 to 2008, Chynoweth’s teams won five national championships, (1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007) turning UW-Whitewater into a powerhouse program. His coaching prowess at the intercollegiate level was felt throughout the NWBA, leading Frank Brasile to invite him to join the staff of the USA Women’s National Team Coaching staff in 2000.  Chynoweth served as Assistant Coach for the US Women 2000-2002, USA Junior National Team in 2001 and 2005, and the USA Men’s National Team in 2007-2008. His international coaching career culminated in Beijing in 2008 after leading teams to several international medals including Gold at the 2005 Junior World Championships.

Not only did Tracy make a lasting impact on the court, but he touched people's lives as well. Chynoweth had the unique ability to "connect a group of individuals that otherwise were not connected and create a network of support and friendship that [would] last a lifetime." These tight knit teams supported Tracy so much so that "his former athletes would return and come to 6:00 a.m. practice to share the knowledge that Tracy had taught them and pass along what they had learned." Coach Chynoweth's lessons are still being used to this day, and his former players are "continually using the [life] lessons from Tracy."  He now resides in the Madison, WI area with his wife and three sons.  Tracy Chynoweth was a great coach, but even better man. His impact will be felt for years to come.