The Movin' Mavs are saying goodbye to their longtime home, the Physical Education Building.
The gym—soon to be demolished along with the building—will host its final Movin' Mavs games on Saturday during the Dallas Mavericks Tournament (game times are 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.), marking the end of an era beneath championship banners that line the walls.
"It holds sentimental value because I know it's an iconic gym and so many Movin' Mavs have come through there," said third-year player Michael "Mac" Collins. "When I used to come to visit, it was so cool to see the banners along the wall for the men's and women's championship teams. Then to have my own locker in there—seeing my name—it made me feel connected to the culture and the long list of Movin' Mavs players who have come through."
The men's and women's wheelchair basketball programs are transitioning to College Park Center and into UTA's Athletics Division.
The move provides the student-athletes access to the same academic resources, athletic trainers and facilities available to other varsity teams.
"I've been able to utilize the cold tub and hot tub, and that's been a game-changer for me," said Collins, a veteran majoring in finance. "Recovery is big for me because I am a little older and have to stay on top of my physical therapy and making sure my body is good to go. Having that access has been huge."
Established in 1976 by alumnus Jim Hayes as a wheelchair basketball club designed to introduce students to adaptive sports, the program earned intercollegiate status in 1988. The Lady Movin' Mavs were founded in 2013. Together, the programs have won 13 national championships and produced 36 Paralympians, including one student and seven alumni who competed in Paris in 2024.
Last month, UTA President Jennifer Cowley and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jon Fagg formally announced that both programs would be supported within the Division of Athletics.
"Officially bringing men's and women's wheelchair basketball into our UTA athletics family is something we are very excited about," Fagg said in a UTA athletics release. "The Movin' Mavs and Lady Movin' Mavs have such a rich history here at UTA, and the chance to provide more student-athletes additional opportunities is something we are very passionate about."
On March 14-15, the teams will host programs from across the country for a tournament at College Park Center—their tune-up before competing in the national tournament at the University of Arizona from March 31 to April 4.
"The CPC is a different vibe altogether," Collins said. "You've got the bright lights and can get more of a crowd in there. We're looking forward to putting a bigger spotlight on us and building relationships with the men's and women's able-bodied teams."
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
