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USABA NORTH EAST NATIONAL GOALBALL QUALIFIER RECAP: JUNE 21-23, HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ

The USABA National Goalball Qualifier took place from June 21-23 at the Haddon Heights Community Center in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. The tournament saw an intense competition with a total of 21 teams divided across three divisions: a ten-team men’s top division, a six-team women’s division, and a five-team men’s B division. In the men’s top division, the Republicans emerged victorious, defeating the Jawns in a thrilling final with a high-scoring game that ended 9-4. The Republicans’ roster was highlighted by national team athletes Christian King, Zion Walker, and Hussam Itani. The New York Empire secured the bronze medal in… Read More

Force, Monarchs and Renegades win gold at Southeast Qualifier

Twenty-two teams went head-to-head at the USABA Southeast National Goalball Qualifier, May 24-26, at the Smyrna Community Center in Smyrna, Georgia. The tournament was divided into an eight-team men's A division, an eight-team men's B division and a six-team women's division. In an exciting women's final, the Ohio Monarchs edged the Atlanta Blazers, 7-6. The Monarchs roster featured Tokyo 2020 Paralympic teammates Mindy Cook and Eliana Mason. They were joined by Makalia Lama, Yaqi Schumacher and Leah Smeltzer, and coached by Keith Young and James Wallace. Ohio Monarchs (l to r) Coach Keith Young, Eliana Mason, Yaqi Schumacher, Makalia Lama,… Read More

USABA and Google Pixel Announce Marketing Collaboration

(May 16, 2024) – The U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is proud to announce a collaboration with Google, naming Google Pixel as the organization's official global technology partner. In 2024, Google Pixel will provide Pixel phones, watches, earbuds and tablets to athletes in the USABA Sport Ambassador Program, representing Paralympians and national team athletes from various sports, including goalball, blind soccer, track and field, and triathlon. This multi-sport group of athletes within the blind and visually impaired community will activate their new Pixel devices on an unlimited phone plan from Google Fi Wireless to stay connected from anywhere in the world as they compete… Read More

A Look Back on the Road to Paris…2016 Rio Paralympic Games

The USA Goalball men’s team captured its fifth Paralympic medal and third silver medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Led by head coach Mike Legé, the U.S. squad was comprised of a balanced mix of Paralympic veterans and newcomers in three-time Paralympian Tyler Merren (Coral Springs, Fla.), two-time Paralympians Joe Hamilton (Sacramento, Calif.) and Daryl Walker (Jacksonville, Fla.), and first-time Paralympians Andy Jenks (Wilmington, Del.), John Kusku (Commerce Township, Mich.) and Matt Simpson (Smyrna, Ga.). A packed Maracana Stadium hosted the opening ceremony on September 7 as Rio welcomed Latin America’s first Paralympic Games. After a long wait to… Read More

USABA Names 2024 Sport Ambassador Roster

The U.S. Association of Blind Athletes has announced 20 athletes to its 2024 USABA Sport Ambassador Program. The USABA Sport Ambassador Program is entering its third year in spreading awareness and visibility of sports for the blind and visually impaired community, assisting in USABA representation through outreach and partnership opportunities, and supporting fundraising efforts to continue to expand sport programming. The 20 sport ambassadors were selected following an application and review process with the final roster consisting of athletes in the sports of goalball, blind soccer, track and field, swimming, beep baseball, biathlon and triathlon, along with two sighted guides… Read More