For over 35 years, Coach Dan Byrnes has had a significant role in the development of the NWBA and the sport of wheelchair basketball as a coach, administrator and educator. His journey began in 1983 as coach of the Saint Paul (MN) rolling Thunder. In 1984, Dan was called upon to teach and to develop the wheelchair basketball program at Wright State University in Dayton, OH. Over the next 5 years Dan would develop both the men’s and women’s intercollegiate basketball teams 

In 1989, Dan teamed with Hall of Fame coaches Lew Shaver (SSU) and Brad Hedrick (UI) and co-authored “Wheelchair Basketball” one of the best instructional books that is still used in the game today. The book included a two volume video on wheelchair basketball training and coaches’ education. This book was developed following 14 years as a head staff member for the NWBA/PVA Wheelchair Basketball Camps. Dan served as the Camp’s Director from 2000-2006 utilizing his position as Director of Sport Facilities and Recreation Services at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. The camp and facilities at Ball State attracted players and coaches from 50 states and 12 foreign countries. 

Dan became a mainstay on both the men’s and Women’s USA National Teams. In 1989 he led the Men’s Team to a silver medal in England. In 1994 he was called upon to coach the Women’s team where they captured a silver medal. Dan was given the difficult job of redeveloping the Men’s National Team following the upset of Team USA by Australia at the Atlanta Paralympics. In two years he put together a team of young, athletic college athletes and anchored the team with seasoned veterans. Making the bold statement, “I’d rather win with the future than lose with the past.” In 1998 at the World Championships in Sydney, Australia, Dan led Team USA in a victory over Australia to win the gold medal and avenge the loss in Atlanta. In 2000, Dan took Team USA back to Australia for the Paralympic Games and won the bronze medal on a dramatic last second, half-court shot by Paul Schulte (TX). 

Dan would continue his involvement in the international program by Chairing the NWBA’ High Performance initiative that began begun in 2011 with the goal of developing a training program for selected men and women wheelchair basketball players that would ensure success for Team USA in international and Paralympic competition. This appointment followed his tenure as 1st VP of the Board of Directors for the NWBA from 2006-2010.