Willard Brooks and UAH’s Dr. David Kyle Lead Immersive Adapted Sports Experience

Alabama A&M University students gained firsthand experience in adapted sports this spring when two-time U.S. Paralympian Willard Brooks Jr. returned to his alma mater to introduce wheelchair basketball to students in the PED 427 Adapted Physical Education class. Brooks was joined by Dr. David Kyle, professor and director of the Ability Sport Network at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

The recent session gave students an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of wheelchair basketball while exploring the importance of accessibility, inclusion and adaptive physical education in sports and recreation. All students in the course participated in the wheelchair basketball activities using sports wheelchairs provided by the Ability Sport Network.

Brooks, an Alabama A&M alumnus who earned his undergraduate degree in 1991 and his master’s degree in 1994, competed for Team USA in the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta and the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. In addition to his Paralympic achievements, Brooks has won multiple national championships in wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball and competed internationally in track and field events, including shot put and discus.

Now based at the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Brooks remains a leading advocate for adaptive sports and previously helped introduce wheelchair basketball at UAH. He said visiting AAMU and sharing his experiences with students was especially meaningful.

“I feel honored to express to the students the challenges of adaptive sports as well as showing them how rewarding it is for people with disabilities,” Brooks said.

Brooks was also featured in the announcement that Huntsville will host the 2026 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, scheduled for Sept. 4-7, 2026. The event, organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for cycling recognized by the International Olympic Committee, will bring elite para-cyclists from around the world to North Alabama. Brooks’ inclusion in the announcement highlights his longstanding impact on adaptive sports and para-athletics in the region.

Kyle, who has been at UAH since 2004 and founded the Ability Sport Network in 2015, has regularly visited AAMU classes taught by Dr. M’mbaha-Zarnesky for the past four years. His expertise in adapted physical education helps students connect classroom instruction with real-world experiences involving individuals living with disabilities.

“As someone with a disability, it is a true joy to share the competitiveness and fun that can be had playing adapted sports,” said Kyle. “AAMU students are taking over our professional charge, so it’s exciting to introduce them to something that they may have the opportunity to share with others in the future.”

Zarnesky said the experience reflects AAMU’s commitment to experiential learning and inclusive education.

“At AAMU we don’t just lecture, we expose our students to real life — inclusion through experiential learning,” she said.

Students said the experience challenged their perspectives and expanded their understanding of adaptive athletics and accessibility.

Kaylin Dismuke, a junior physical education major from Birmingham, Alabama, said maneuvering the wheelchair while dribbling, passing and shooting gave her a new appreciation for adaptive athletes and the skill required to compete.

Courtney Williams, a sophomore sport management major from Montgomery, Alabama, said the experience changed the way he thinks about disability and inclusion in sports and education.

“This class has been very important for me as I think about my future job,” said Williams. “It taught me that accessibility isn’t just an afterthought or a legal requirement; it’s an important part of a culture that really welcomes everyone.”

Jadarian Collaway, a freshman sport management major from Montgomery, Alabama, said the wheelchair basketball session challenged him both physically and mentally.

“At the beginning, I struggled with controlling the wheelchair and keeping up with the pace of the game,” he said. “But as I practiced more, I became more confident. The experience showed me that growth comes from being willing to struggle and keep trying.”