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A trio from Auburn University has been selected to lead the inaugural USA Team Handball Wheelchair National Team.

USA Team Handball (USATH), a member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, recently announced the establishment of the U.S. Wheelchair National Team, the newest milestone in USATH’s mission of providing opportunities for United States athletes to compete internationally while growing the sport of team handball.

The trio Auburn includes Ford Dyke, head coach of the team; former Olympian Reita Clanton, assistant coach; and Camden Bentley, head athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach.

“We are thrilled to launch this project as a cornerstone in our mission to make handball accessible to everyone,” said Martin Branick, USA Team Handball’s CEO. “Our efforts extend beyond this initiative, but I am confident that the wheelchair handball program and its athletes will inspire many.”

Dyke is an associate clinical professor in the College of Education’s School of Kinesiology and the director of Mindfulness@Auburn, the evidence-based approach to optimal performance, health and well-being. He is also the performance coach for Auburn Wheelchair Basketball. He teaches courses in Pillars of Performance and Health, Motor Learning and Performance, and Exercise and Sport Psychology.

Dyke began his journey in adapted athletics in 2012 as strength and conditioning coach for Wheelchair Basketball at Auburn University. He was instrumental in launching Auburn’s first Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Team.

“I am incredibly honored to take on the role of head coach for the U.S. Wheelchair National Team, and I am grateful for the unwavering support from Auburn University,” Dyke said. “Our university’s commitment to adapted athletics has been a cornerstone of my journey, and it’s a privilege to bring that legacy to the international stage. Our initiative represents more than just assembling a team; it’s a collaborative effort to foster growth and opportunity for adapted athletes.”

Clanton is a former Olympian who was part of the United States’ first women’s handball team, competing in the 1984 Olympics. In 2023, she retired from Auburn after serving as the coordinator of Performance and Health Optimization in the School of Kinesiology. She teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and co-facilitates Mindfulness@Auburn.

Clanton is also a 1996 Team USA Olympics Coach, 1997 Auburn University Tiger Trail inductee and recipient of the 2023 College of Education Outstanding Administration and Professional Staff Award. In 1974, she earned Outstanding College Athlete of American recognition. By 1975, she had been selected for the USA Team Handball Women’s National Team, representing the United States in two world championships and the 1984 Summer Olympic Games.

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee honored Clanton as the Sportswoman of the Year for USA Team Handball in 1985. Her partnership with Dyke began in 2013, and together they will bring unparalleled knowledge, expertise and passion to the U.S. Wheelchair National Team.

"I am so honored and inspired to serve on the coaching staff for the U.S. Wheelchair Handball National Team,” Clanton said. “As an Olympian in handball, I am so excited for adapted athletes to have the opportunity to play this awesome sport. While the adapted athletics space continues to grow in our country, I'm thrilled that wheelchair handball will be a part of that movement of lowering barriers and providing opportunity.

“As an Auburn graduate and former staff member in the School of Kinesiology, I’m proud of the university’s support of adapted athletics and grateful for the support of this initiative. As always, I believe in Auburn and love it.”

Completing the coaching staff is Bentley, who serves as the head athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach for Auburn Adapted Athletics. Bentley received a Bachelor of Science in athletic training from James Madison University and completed his graduate degree at Auburn University.

Additionally, he has served on the medical staff for the U.S. Wheelchair Basketball Men’s National Team under the direction of Head Coach Robb Taylor. Bentley and Dyke work directly with Auburn Adapted Athletics, maintaining a strong professional relationship that will benefit the U.S. Wheelchair National Team.

Together, Dyke, Clanton and Bentley form a coaching staff of knowledge, experience and dedication that will drive the U.S. Wheelchair National Team toward national and international success. They will be joined by two Auburn School of Kinesiology alumnae – Sarah Gascon will be an assistant coach and head of delegation, and Jence Rhoads will be working behind the scenes as chief of staff.  

The first tournament on the calendar for the Wheelchair National Team will be the third International Handball Federation Wheelchair Handball World Championship, set to be held Sept. 16-21 in Cairo, Egypt. After submitting a comprehensive letter expressing interest in participating in April, the United States was unanimously awarded the available wild card slot for the tournament at the International Handball Federation Council Meeting.

In the eight-team tournament, the United States will be joined at the tournament by hosts Egypt, India, Japan, France, Portugal, Chile and Brazil. Brazil won the first Wheelchair Handball World Championship in September 2022, which was played with four-a-side, while Portugal became World Champions in the six-a-side edition played later that year. The tournament in Egypt this September will be played with four players, per team, on the court at one time.

For more information on the U.S. Wheelchair National Team, visit its website.