TVP MVP
Wyatt Smuszko and his teammates likely have a little more swagger to their step heading into the winter season of intramural basketball at Mount Royal University after being crowned division champs.
The troop, named Team Swagger, finished the regular season in fifth place in the recreational basketball league with five wins and five losses. In the first round of playoffs, they were up against Free Agents Team 2 and came out on top with a score of 46-26. In the semi-finals, Team Swagger played Morants Morals, winning 44-33. They then tipped off against Team BB for the championship and came out ahead with a score of 53-37, earning them the coveted title.
But that success story nearly didn’t happen for Smuszko and his team, and it had nothing to do with their skills on the hardwood. Team Swagger was nearly broken up due to changing rules in the MRU recreation world.
The intramural leagues at the institution have grown so much over the last handful of years that the athletics department has had to limit participants to the University’s members, employees and students. This change meant that Smuszko, who has Down syndrome and is a Transitional Vocational Program (TVP) student, would have to say goodbye to some of his teammates, who were his support group and not students or employees.
But Smuszko would not let that stop him from making baskets.
“We were approached by Wyatt and his mother about making an exception for some of his teammates on his recreational basketball team. This was an easy ‘yes,’ as over Wyatt's time here at MRU as a student and consistent participant in our programs we wanted to ensure that he continued to be able to show up and participate in the most comfortable way possible with his team,” explains Kirsten Kirwer, recreational sports supervisor, Cougars Athletics and Recreation.
Kirwer stops short of officially declaring Smuszko’s team the favourite among staff, but she concedes the league wouldn’t be the same without them tearing up the court.
“Wyatt with his relatives and friends have come to be a team that our staff looks forward to having in the league each season. We waive the prerequisite of the teammates who are not members, employees, or students to ensure that Wyatt is able to have the community with him that allows him to perform his best on the court.”
Team Swagger was formed two years ago when Smuszko started as a way to tap into his passion for sport and build connections at his new university.
“We gathered friends and family who were far more passionate about inclusion and supporting Wyatt than they were about basketball, and yet the team found their groove on the court fueled entirely by every shot and basket that Wyatt made,” explains Smuszko’s mom, Deanne Frere.
“I was always impressed by his competitors who found the balance of respecting Wyatt's skills while finding a way to also adapt their playing style to respect his disability. I am confident that after each game, every player, spectator, and official learned something about inclusion and perhaps shifted their perspectives about Down syndrome.”
The decision to keep Team Swagger together was partly informed by MRU’s holistic approach to physical health and education, something the school calls physical literacy.
“In physical literacy, we recognize that there are many elements that contribute to an individual's well-being. Being physically active is only one element of physical literacy,” explains Nadine Van Wyk, assistant professor, Department of Health and Physical Education.
“Elements such as sleep and nutrition, as well as feelings of autonomy and developing social connections, are extremely important to living our best life. The construct of physical literacy is inclusive of race, gender, and ability of all individuals. Physical literacy is cognizant that all individuals are on their own unique journey and we must work together to ensure that everyone is living and leading a healthy life,” Van Wyk says.
Now that the dust has settled and Team Swagger has hoisted the cup — and celebrated with pizza and a ping pong tournament — Smuszko and his crew are looking toward next season.
“I am excited to have new MRU players joining us from Three Hills, including my cousin Hunter,” shares Smuszko, who adds playing basketball is important for more than just your physical health.
"It's super fun, but it's also good for my mind and my legs."
Smuszko aims to stay in the realm of athletics after he graduates, with plans to work at a gym or keep working with The Surge.
Until then, he’ll keep crushing his favourite class — math — and sinking buckets.
When asked what Smuszko hopes people learn about athletes with Down syndrome, he replied with his signature swagger, “that they can shoot three-pointers.”