Rolling Forward: The VAIL Harrisonburg Cardinals Push Beyond Limits in Wheelchair Basketball

By: Carrie Miner Yaple | Sportzwire | July 31, 2025 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple @v1sion_media

While recently in Virginia covering The Basketball Tournament (TBT) with the Red Rose Thunder, I had the privilege of stepping away from the high-flying action of professional hoops to witness something equally — if not more — inspiring: the adaptive athleticism and indomitable spirit of the VAIL Harrisonburg Cardinals wheelchair basketball team.

Seated courtside for a few moments at one of their practices, I met Ana, a vibrant, determined player who embodies the very soul of the team. Her story — along with the Cardinals’ — is a testament to resilience, community, and the power of sport to redefine possibility.

A Legacy of Inclusion and Competition

The Cardinals' journey dates back to the late 1990s, when they were founded as the Valley Highrollers at the Woodrow Wilson Rehab Center. In those early years, they weren’t focused on competition — few had proper sports wheelchairs, and organized play was limited. But by the early 2000s, the team turned a corner, gradually growing more competitive and carving out a name in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA).

Now competing in the NWBA’s adult co-ed division, which is open to players aged 18 and up, including some standout juniors, the Cardinals are one of over 225 teams nationwide vying for a coveted spot in the national tournament. Only the top 16 teams qualify — a mark the Cardinals have hit before, finishing as national runners-up in 2018 and ranking 16th last season.

Since 2022, the team has been sponsored by VAIL — the Valley Association for Independent Living — a nonprofit that empowers individuals with disabilities in the Shenandoah Valley. VAIL’s support has been crucial in helping the Cardinals continue to grow and compete at a high level.

Ana is part of a new generation of players carrying the Cardinals’ torch forward. She broke her neck two years ago and underwent intensive rehabilitation at the University of Michigan before discovering the world of adaptive sports through recreational therapy. That journey led her to the basketball court, and to a new mission: helping others find strength through movement.

As an ambassador for the Kelly Brush Foundation, Ana promotes access to adaptive sports equipment and programs. The foundation offers scholarships, grants, and a robust online platform — The Active Project — that connects individuals with adaptive sports opportunities around the country.

“An active lifestyle fuels a healthy body and mind,” Ana told me. “It allows us to be the best, full version of ourselves.” This all aligns with The Kelly Brush Foundation's mission statement; To inspire and empower people with spinal cord injuries to live active and engaged lives.

The importance of that message cannot be overstated. As Ana pointed out, injuries like hers — and those of her teammates — are life-altering, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Finding support is essential, which is why she’s so grateful for VAIL. “Not everyone has something like this in their backyard,” she said. “And we need people to lean on.”

Challenges on and off the Court

Like many adaptive sports teams, the Cardinals face steep challenges. Travel is logistically difficult and financially taxing — with the nearest team at least an hour away, and others as far as four or more hours. Equipment is also expensive: a good sports wheelchair can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000. Ana credits the Kelly Brush Foundation with helping to cover the cost of her own chair.

But what perhaps weighs heaviest is the emotional toll — It is a journey.

Coaching with Compassion

Head Coach Anthony, who took over the team last year, understands that journey firsthand. He was injured in 2002 and began playing in 2003, eventually becoming a pillar in the adaptive sports community. Now, as coach and player, he’s focused not just on building skills and strategy but also on fostering a sense of belonging.

“We're always open to new players,” he said. “This is a family.”

And it certainly feels that way. Players on the team range from those with 20 or 30 years of experience to recent graduates of the junior division. They are motivated not just by competition, but by connection.

Looking Ahead

The VAIL Harrisonburg Cardinals have played in many states across the country, including Kentucky, New Jersey, Georgia, and Virginia. They’ll host the VAIL Invitational this November and are already looking ahead to Nationals, scheduled for March 20–29, 2026, in West Monroe, Louisiana.

Whether they make another championship run or not, their legacy is secure — not just as athletes, but as ambassadors for what’s possible when support, opportunity, and spirit come together.

And if you ask Ana or Anthony, they’ll both tell you: this team isn’t just about basketball. It’s about life, about finding joy, building community, and rolling forward — together.

To learn more about adaptive sports or support the team, visit the Kelly Brush Foundation or VAIL’s official site. For those with permanent lower limb disabilities seeking connection, competition, or just a place to belong, the Harrisonburg Cardinals might just be your next family.

FB: VAIL Harrisonburg Cardinals 

IG: harrisonburgcardinals

IG: valleyassociatesil

Website: govail.org

Website: kellybrushfoundation.org (Phone) 802-846-5298

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