FORT JACKSON, S.C. (Sept. 25, 2014) -- Each year, hundreds of wounded warriors gather to compete in archery, shooting, volleyball, wheelchair basketball and track and field events. All of the athletes are injured, ill or wounded Service members.
This year, John Evans, a master resilience trainer/performance expert from Fort Jackson, is part of the support staff for the U.S. Army wheelchair basketball team at the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Evans said his job as a master resilience trainer/performance expert on the team includes, but is not limited to, setting team goals, building confidence and motivation, minimizing performance anxiety, building team cohesion and pre-game routines.
"I chose to help out with the wheelchair basketball sport because I relate well with team sports," Evans said. "I like the idea of taking the team and building cohesion. Also, building a team of people who play at a pretty high level internationally and getting them to jell in about a two to three week time period to win the gold at the Warrior Games.... I really like that idea."
This year's Army wheelchair basketball team comprises eight players, who will also compete in other sports that require the same level of energy, Evans said.
"I think, in the long-term perspective, when Soldiers participate in something like this it gives them some great goals and a lot of motivation," Evans said. "If they can build confidence in an adaptive sport and see that they can participate at a high level in an adaptive sport like swimming, wheel chair basketball as an amputee -- that's a great accomplishment."
Evans said sports can affect other areas of the Service members' lives.
"That type of goal setting, confidence and motivation bleeds into other areas of their life and starts to affect them in a positive way and their ability to stay positive, be a confident individual, be motivated and set higher goals in their personal life," he said.
Evans said this is his second year helping the team with the competition. Last year, he assisted his co-worker, and so he has had the opportunity to see players go on to participate at an international level.
"We have an athlete on the team who has also gone on to represent the U.S. in the Invictus Games in London, England. He is also playing in full-able-body baseball and making an impact as an amputee athlete," Evans said. "When these athletes are playing any sport, especially at this level, it gives them an outlet to focus on and learn how to deal with their personal challenges a lot better."
Evans said athletes share how much their personal lives have improved because of their involvement in sports and their ability to play at such a high-level.
"These are some phenomenal people and athletes, Evans said. "They are all so dedicated to their sport and their branch of service. This is a great opportunity for them and they have earned every ounce of it."
The Warrior Games will take place Sunday through Oct. 4.
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