NEWS RELEASE
March 2, 2005
Contact: Laurie Jake, ATRA Communications Coordinator
Phone (480) 460-1525 or
Ann D Huston MPA, CTRS
Phone: (703) 683-9420

Dr. Frank Brasile selected for National Award

(Alexandria, VA) The American Therapeutic Recreation is pleased to announce that past ATRA President Dr. Frank Brasile of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, has been selected by the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Hall of Fame committee for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The induction ceremonies with take place April 9, 2005, as a part of the awards banquet at the National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Brasile is being recognized for his considered contributions to the development, growth, support and advancement of wheelchair basketball and for his involvement in the sport as a coach, administrator, and educator/researcher.

Dr. Brasile has coached wheelchair basketball at the intercollegiate, community and international levels since 1972. He was one of the founders of the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) of the NWBA and served as the CIC commissioner for 15 years from 1978-1993. He coached the University of Illinois to the 1978 National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Championship. In 2001 the CIC named their sportsmanship award after Dr. Brasile in recognition of his outstanding contribution, dedication and service to the Central Intercollegiate Conference, wheelchair basketball and the field of therapeutic recreation.

Dr. Brasile served as head coach of the 2000 USA Women's Team which won the two international championships (The Walker Cup and The Roosevelt Challenge) and also finished 4-2 at the Paralympic games in Sydney, Australia.

Dr. Brasile is the creator of the first wheelchair basketball skills test, a skill assessment instrument that has been used throughout the world for research and coaching purposes and this instrument has also served as model for other wheelchair sports skills tests that have followed. He has also served as a teacher and staff member at various wheelchair basketball camps and workshops throughout the world. He was a member of the coaching staff for the 1st National Wheelchair Basketball Camp held in 1982 and has been a dependable member of the staff for numerous years since then.

ATRA President Nancy McFarlane stated, Dr. Brasile believes in teaching by example and has modeled an exceptional level of professional involvement for his students and fellow recreational therapy professionals. ATRA is extremely proud of Dr. Brasile and I personally applaud the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Hall of Fame committee for their decision to recognize Dr. Brasile.

For more information, please contact the ATRA National Office at (703) 683-9420.

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The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) was founded in 1984 to advance the the profession of therapeutic recreation. ATRA is a non-profit professional membership organization dedicating 100% of resources and efforts to promote therapeutic recreation professionals in health care and human service settings. For more information, please contact the ATRA National Office