NWBA Partnership
Mt. Olive Pickle announces its role as the official pickle and pickle juice provider for the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA), in a national sponsorship that supports the NWBA all the way to Paris this summer.
The NWBA is the longest standing and largest Disabled Sports Organization in the world. It was founded in 1949 to provide individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to play and learn wheelchair basketball.
“Mt. Olive is so proud to be a national sponsor of the NWBA, and we look forward to cheering on these incredible athletes in the Paralympics in the coming weeks,” said Mt. Olive Pickles Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Greg Smith.
The National Wheelchair Basketball Association is the recognized National Governing Body for Wheelchair Basketball by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. The NWBA trains and selects teams for participation in the Paralympic Games, World Championships, and other international competitions.
The U.S Men’s and Women’s National Teams are set to compete in the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games, scheduled for August 28 – September 8.
BRIAN BELL
At 10-years-old, Brian lost his leg due to a train accident. After recuperating and finishing rehabilitation, Brian wanted to get back to playing his favorite sports: basketball and football. When he was 12, his mom discovered the Lakeshore Foundation, a U.S. Paralympic Training Center in Birmingham, Alabama. After finishing high school, he attended school and played for the University of Illinois Wheelchair basketball team. Brian left the University of Illinois to pursue a professional career over seas in Europe. After nine years, Brian moved back to the US full-time.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Two-time Paralympic Gold Medalist (2020 Tokyo Paralympics and 2016 Rio Paralympics)
- Three-time Parapan American Games Gold Medalist (2015, 2019, 2023)
- 2022 IWBF World Championship, Gold medal
- 2023 NWBA Division I National Champion
- 2022 IWBF Americas Cup, Gold medal
- 2021 Champions League Champion
BAILEY MOODY
Moody was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 10, resulting in the amputation of her right leg. She has always lived an active lifestyle and pursued sports from a young age. Moody began playing wheelchair basketball at the age of 12 and has been playing for Team USA since 2018. Moody wears the number 43 in honor of Philip Lutzenkirchen, a former Auburn University football player who died in a drunk driving accident.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 2020 Toyko Paralympics, Bronze medal
- 2023 Parapan American Games, Gold medal
- 2022 IWBF World Championship, Bronze medal
- 2022 IWBF Americas Cup, Silver medal
- Four-time NWBA Intercollegiate National Champion (2021-24)
- Two-time IWBF U25 World Championship Gold medalist (2019, 2023)
TREVON JENIFER
Jenifer was born without legs due to an extremely rare disorder called congenital phocomelia. Before focusing on wheelchair basketball in college, Trevon was a successful track athlete in his early years and a top wrestler in high school. He also penned an inspirational autobiography, ‘From the Ground Up’ at 17 years old. Jenifer has gone on to play professional basketball in Europe in the Euro league. Jenifer is a proud father to two beautiful children.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Three-time Paralympian (2012, 2016, 2020)
- Two-time Paralympic Gold Medalist (2020 Tokyo
Paralympics and 2016 Rio Paralympics) - Four-time Parapan American Games Gold Medalist
(2011, 2015, 2019, 2023) - 2012 London Paralympics, Bronze medal
- 2022 IWBF World Championships, Gold medal
About Mt. Olive Pickle Company:
Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Inc. is located at the Corner of Cucumber & Vine in Mount Olive, North Carolina. It was formally organized in 1926 by local business leaders as a way to create a new market for area farmers. Today, Mt. Olive Pickle Company is the largest privately-held pickle company in the nation, with operations encompassing 1.2 million square feet of production and warehouse space spread over 185 acres. Mt. Olive is the #1 best-selling brand of pickles, peppers and relishes in the United States.
About the National Wheelchair Basketball Association
The National Wheelchair Basketball Association is the longest standing and largest Disabled Sports Organization in the world. It was founded in 1949 to provide individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to play and learn wheelchair basketball.
Mission Statement
Lead the sport of wheelchair basketball through increased participation and representation, while fostering a lifelong community of impact for our members and their families.
Organizational Values
At the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, our values are lived on and off the court of play. This is how we play:
- We play with purpose. – We selflessly serve others to create lasting positive impact for our community.
- We play together. – We are champions for inclusion and exemplify collaborative spirit to win as a team.
- We play hard. – We face challenges head-on and fearlessly push boundaries through a relentless commitment to the pursuit of excellence.
- We play the right way. – Our decisions and actions are guided by integrity and transparency.