Donna Barnett #34
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| Donna Barnett #34 |
Donna was introduced to wheelchair basketball while participating in adaptive water skiing. She had met players of a local wheelchair basketball team at the event, and was invited to a practice. Having never played basketball in her life, the sport was new to Donna, but she was immediately hooked! Donna has played wheelchair basketball since the 1998-1999 season. In 1991, Donna lost her right leg, when a blockage stemming from other health complications, made having her leg amputated essential to saving her life. Donna, who is originally from Stanley, now also spends time volunteering at SERF (Stanley Emergency Relief Fund) helping people in the community. Donna is also a certified Middle School Math Teacher with hopes of getting back into teaching in the near future.
Pete Morgan #24
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| Pete Morgan #24 |
This is Pete's rookie year! After playing in just one tournament from the 2010-2011 season, and working on his skills in a short pre-season, he is coming on strong! Pete most often plays in the big man's position, sitting under the goal as a forward or center. Pete lost his left leg from a car accident, but was able to find the TarWheels through mutual friends. Pete's son Landon is also part of the team, helping out as ball-boy or any way he can. A ceramic tile setter for a living, Pete also enjoys watching and coaching Landon in his sports.
Jeff Brafford #21
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| Jeff Brafford #21 |
Jeff has been playing wheelchair basketball for 20 years. He is a guard and point guard to the TarWheels. Also a veteran of the sport, Jeff's perspectives are always helpful for the newer and rookie players. Jeff is one of the original TarWheels from when the team was present in the area from `78 through the early 90's. The 2011-2012 season is Jeff's first returned season to the sport after a couple years hiatus while going through shoulder surgery and becoming a newly wed. Jeff is a level T-6 paraplegic, a condition onset after attempts by neurosurgeon's repeated attempts of removing the recurrent spinal chord tumors once present on Jeff's spine. Jeff is father to Bailey and husband to Nancy.
Steve Lister #22
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| Steve Lister #22 |
Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, Steve was raised in Milford, Connecticut. In 2000, Steve was involved in a hit and run motorcycle accident. He suffered a spinal chord injury to the T-12 region of his spine along with a traumatic brain injury. Life had changed, but Steve has since made the most of it! He went back to school to become a Physician's Assistant. Steve's career in wheelchair basketball stemmed from his move to the area for his career as a PA. Steve has been playing wheelchair basketball since 2007 and wheelchair softball since 2010. His favorite part about wheelchair sports is the competition, comradery, and the exercise. Steve is also the proud husband to Summer and father to Tanner.
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| Roger White #32 |
A guard and point guard to the TarWheels, Roger has been playing wheelchair basketball for 11 years now. Roger is from nearby Shelby, NC but moved to Charlotte to attend UNC Charlotte. He now works in the area for Penske Racing as an Electrical Engineer. Roger is still with long time fiance and team photographer, Carla! Roger loves the competitiveness and strives to be successful at everything he does, but will never run over others for success.
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| David Hix #23 |
Rookie of the year for the 2010-2011 season in the Carolina Conference! David has been playing basketball since 2009. David's injury which qualifies him for wheelchair sports came while working security at his job. While attempting to stop someone from being mugged, the suspects then took to their car and made aim for David. He was flipped over the car and almost landed safely. His foot/ankle, however went into a hole, and were broken very badly. After a couple seasons of being around other athletes who use a prosthetic, and seeing their ease of life, all while going through debilitating pain, surgeries, and a promise of more surgeries for his future, David made the hard decision to have his foot amputated. David's getting along great with his new prosthetic and still enjoying basketball. David is a forward on our team. He is originally from Columbus, GA, moving here at the age of 16 for his dad's job in Concord, NC. David loves basketball because it got him active again!
Richard Travis #10
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| Richard Travis #10 |
Diagnosed in his adolescent years with a spinal chord tumor, Richard eventually began using a wheelchair at age 17, which he is now confined to full time. He moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1999, from Asheville, NC to attend UNC Charlotte. It was through moving to a larger city and meeting other disabled athletes on campus that Richard was able to find wheelchair basketball. A basketball player since 2000 and softball player since 2010 Richard is very passionate about adaptive sports. Since moving to the area, he has graduated from college, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, but has stayed in the area to continue competing in adaptive sports. Richard's favorite sport is basketball, but the friends made, tournaments and games competed in, as well as helping The TarWheels Organization grow, are all just as important to him!
Donnie Langford #44
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| Coach Donnie Langford #44 |
Donnie Langford started the Carolina TarWheels program in Concord, NC. He started this program to bring adaptive sports to Cabarrus County and pass his knowledge on to newer players. He is both our team coach and plays guard on the team. Donnie started playing wheelchair basketball 30 years ago after being in a car accident in 1979 that left him as an incomplete paraplegic. Donnie has been happily married to Janet Langford for over 30 years. They are also proud parents of daughter Jennifer and son Chad. The family moved to this area from Tennessee after Donnie took a job with IBM. His favorite part of wheelchair basketball is the great competition, and the fellowship among the players.
Carla Rabb & Jennifer Langford
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| Carla Rabb and Jennifer Langford |
Carla Raab, pictured above in the vest, is team member Roger's other half and team photographer!
Jennifer Langford, in the TarWheels hoodie, is daughter of coach Donnie Langford, and team coordinator. Jennifer handles the administration side of the team, and does her best to keep the guys on the team straight!
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| Janet Langford |
Janet Langford is wife to Coach Donnie Langford and team mom. We are always excited when she offers to cook team meals, holiday goodies, and the food for home tournaments. She also is a huge help in making the home tournaments a success!
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