Rolling for RIM

“We have established the Tim Codd scholarship program,” said Ben Carter, chief operating officer of the Detroit Medical Center. “This allows one of the athletes to go to national and international competitions that they normally wouldn’t be able to attend otherwise.”

This scholarship, named after the man who, along with former Detroit Piston Jerry Stackhouse, helped launch the Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball Game, will be given annually to a disabled athlete who demonstrates heart, spirit and determination.

This year’s game featured the Motor City Rollers coached by Pistons veteran Lindsey Hunter and legend John Long pitted against Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones and the Detroit Jam. This is the second consecutive year that these two have squared off in this game with Jones winning the previous match-up.

Hunter was animated on the sidelines from the beginning, even receiving a technical foul in the opening minutes. “The coaches were on the bench telling me to foul the big guy,” said Glen Ashlock of the Rollers referring to National Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Famer Darryl “Tree” Waller.

Each team had their chances to win the game down the stretch but it was Ashlock who hit the eventual game winner with just over a minute remaining. He finished with 13 points leading the Rollers to a 27-23 victory.

“It was a good, competitive game,” said Jones, who got involved because his mother is an honorary chairperson for the event along with Pistons community relations coordinator, Erika Swilley. “I beat Lindsey last year; he got me back so we are 1-1, but I’ll get him again next year.”

The game also featured a raffle with prizes including four tickets to the Detroit Pistons preseason opener against the Miami Heat, Lindsey Hunter’s personal tickets for the preseason home opener and a Chauncey Billups autographed jersey.

Other athletes and celebrities who took part in the event included Detroit Lions Mike Furrey and Fernando Bryant along with former Lion Scott Kowalkowski and legend Lem Barney. Also participating was former Tiger pitcher Dave Rozema and media personalities Devin Scillian, Vic Faust, Dave Rexroth, Lila Lazarus and Charles Pugh. Coco and Chase from FM 98 WJLB provided color commentary throughout the game. They helped fans get into the game by taking a page out of Pistons announcer Mason’s book when they had the crowd chanting, “WHEEEEEEEEELCHAIR BASKETBALL!”

According to Carter, the event raised $65,000 this year surpassing last year’s total of $25,000. “It’s important because these guys depend on the money raised from this event to keep the program running,” he said.

All proceeds from the event go to the RIM’s SportsAbility program which provides disabled people an opportunity to participate in competitive and recreational sports in the Detroit area.