Going for gold

Bill Wampler, a junior forward on the Wright State University men’s basketball team, helped lead the USA Athletes In Action basketball team to a gold medal in the FISU America Games in São Paulo, Brazil, on July 28, with a 78-69 win over Argentina.

The International University Sports Federation is the governing body that supports the America Games, a 13-sport, collegiate-level tournament featuring 20 to 25 nations from North and South America.

Athletes in Action, a Christian-based organization, was delegated by US-IUSF to select the squad to represent the United States.

“It’s just awesome to see that the coaches had that much respect for me to suggest that I go on this trip,” said Wampler.

During the trip, the USA team partnered with Samaritian’s Feet and distributed new shoes to people in need. The players and coaches also visited a juvenile detention center in the area.

“It was something that was life-changing for me because I probably gave out 70 to 80 hugs to kids that probably don’t get hugs very often,” said Wampler.

Wright State men’s basketball coach Scott Nagy knew this experience would be impactful on his player. “Anything that can be good for Bill and help him grow as a man is going to be good for our basketball team,” said Nagy.

Videos of the games are archived at facebook.com/CBDU.brasil.