The Rolling Panthers wheelchair basketball team received an outpouring of community support Wednesday night at Perry High School, as fans packed the gym to watch the team compete in a special fundraising event.
The event aimed to raise funds for the purchase of specialized wheelchairs and a trailer to transport them, reducing the team’s reliance on borrowed equipment from the Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio.
“This event was to help raise the funds to purchase our own wheelchairs and a trailer to transport them,” said Rolling Panthers head coach Amanda Slates. “Right now, we borrow our chairs from Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio. We really appreciate that they let us borrow them, but we’d like to be able to hold camps, tryouts, and events such as this one.”
The fundraiser, originally scheduled for Thursday, was moved to Wednesday due to the Perry boys’ basketball team advancing to the Regional Semifinals. The date change presented a challenge in getting the word out, but thanks to the booster club and athletic department, the turnout exceeded expectations.
“The turnout was amazing! It was more than I ever dreamed,” Slates said. “We were all a little nervous, but the atmosphere was electric! You could just feel it. Everyone was pumped and just happy to be there. That was honestly the hardest my team has ever played!”
The funds raised will go toward the purchase of wheelchairs, a trailer, new uniforms, and practice equipment. The event also marked another milestone for the Rolling Panthers, which is only in its second year as a team.
“Participating in this sport gives kids who have a disability a chance to play,” Slates said. “Kids that, without this program, would never know what it meant to put on a school uniform or have a crowd cheer for them. It is all about inclusivity.”
The event also featured spirited participation from school staff, many of whom were eager to get involved. One of the most memorable moments came when Perry staff member Tim Wolf put on player Daniel Daugintis’ jersey and took the court with the team.
“Before he went back to the staff team, he jumped out of his chair and scored a layup! It was so great, and we were all laughing so hard,” Slates recalled. “Another standout moment was when my assistant coach, Chris Marx, got into a chair and started playing for the staff.”
Slates credited the event’s success to the dedication of her booster club, including president Kathy Catazaro-Perry, who first proposed the idea. She also acknowledged the Perry athletic department and booster club president Pat Murray for their help in organizing the event.
While the Rolling Panthers’ season has ended, the team remains active in fundraising efforts. The program will resume activities in October, and the community is encouraged to follow the team’s Facebook page, The Rolling Panthers, and X account, @RollingPanthers, for updates on future events.
“We post all of our highlights and any events or fundraisers coming up,” Slates said. “The community can just keep an eye out for anything that pops up!”
With the overwhelming support from the Perry community, the Rolling Panthers continue to build a foundation for inclusive sports, ensuring that more young athletes can experience the thrill of competition and school spirit.
