TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– As laughter, cheering and smiles filled the Indiana State University men’s basketball team’s practice gym, Bryce Weiler was filled with joy watching those with disabilities on the court.
“Allowing people with disabilities to have these experiences is important because it shows them that when you surround yourself with someone who believes in you, that you can do anything in your life that you want to do,” the Co-Founder of the Beautiful Lives Project said.
The organization was founded in 2017 and works to offer people the same life-changing opportunity Weiler got around a decade ago when he was in school. He helped with the University of Evansville Men’s basketball team.
“I explained to [fellow co-founder Anthony Iacovone] how sitting on the University of Evansville Men’s basketball bench had changed my life, when Marty Simmons was the coach, and allowed me to sit on the bench, and how I wanted to help people with disabilities to have their own life-changing moments and opportunities to experience sports,” he said.
Weiler’s goal is to partner with other Terre Haute sports teams and programs. His first stop was working alongside Sycamore’s Head Coach Josh Schertz to set up the event.
“I emailed coach Schertz and explained to him that I would like to do this type of a program with his team,” Weiler said. “I’ve been friends with coach Schertz now since April of 2021, it just took us a little while to get this set up.”
Participants worked alongside a Sycamore players on a number of dribbling, passing and shooting drills at the start. The practice finished off with full court game.
Senior ISU player, Cooper Neese, said it’s an experience he won’t soon forget.
“This is a special day. I’ve been doing it for a few years down here now down here, and to be able to be a part of their lives in some way, shape or form, it’s a blessing to me, and I know it’s a blessing to our team, we love it, we enjoy it, we love each and every individual who comes and does this with us,” he said.
Neese said his favorite part was seeing the smile on the faces of the participants.
“It makes me speechless, to be able to go out and watch them,” he said. “Just to be able to see them smile and enjoy the day. When they come here with a smile on their face, it makes you feel really, really good.”
Weiler said they will continue to do this at least once a year, and he hopes to work with other local sports teams and programs to offer similar events.
He said it’s something he will never get tired of.
“I would do this as many days out of the year as people would want to.”
