The sound of sneakers on hardwood and the echo of bouncing basketballs mean more to Bryce Weiler than most.

Born blind, the Beautiful Lives Project co-founder has built his life around proving that disabilities don’t stop dreams, but that they redefine them. His goal is simple: to help others see that inclusion in sports creates space where everyone belongs.

“Everyone can be inclusive towards people with disabilities,” Weiler said. “Individuals with disabilities want to experience sports just as much as anyone else without a disability. Being inclusive towards those with disabilities is a way for college athletic departments, professional teams, and other sports organizations to get more fans at games, and to show that everyone is important no matter their disabilities or challenges.” 

Founded in 2017, the Beautiful Lives Project is a nonprofit that brings people with disabilities together through inclusive events in sports, arts and community activities. 

The mission came together on Thursday, where the Beautiful Lives Project partnered with the Eastern Illinois men’s and women’s basketball teams for the third year to host an inclusive event for adults and children with disabilities. 

The basketball teams welcomed around 60 individuals with disabilities for a morning full of fun, free throws and laughter at Grongier Arena. 

The event opened with remarks from Weiler, who thanked the teams and participants for learning from one another, followed by men’s basketball head coach Marty Simmons and women’s basketball head coach Marqus McGlothan speaking about the importance of inclusion and community in sports. 

For Simmons, the event carried personal meaning for several reasons.

His daughter is blind, and that has given him a deep understanding of the importance of inclusion and opportunity. 

“I couldn’t be more proud of anybody,” Simmons said. “[Weiler is] an amazing man. He’s become a part of my family, and my family talks about him all the time. His life is based on helping others, but he really has a passion for helping other people with disabilities.” 

His connection with Weiler also goes back more than a decade. As the head coach at the University of Evansville, Simmons gave the then-college student a chance to sit on the men’s basketball bench during games.

That experience, Weiler said, changed his life and inspired him to help others with disabilities pursue their dreams through the Beautiful Lives Project.

“He [Weiler] sat on the bench, he was at practice, we shared jokes. I mean, he just had so much fun,” Simmons said. “He’s established relationships with some of the greatest coaches in the history of all sports like Brad Stevens and Rick Pitino. He got a national championship ring that coach Pitino gave him. But, I cherish the relationship that I have with Bryce.”

As the games got underway, EIU players spent time passing, shooting, and celebrating with the participants, many reflecting afterward on how the experience gave them a new perspective on teamwork, gratitude, and the joy of the game.

For several Panthers, the event served as a humbling reminder of how powerful sports can be in bringing people together, no matter their abilities.

“It felt really good. It just shows you can do anything with whatever you’re given in life,” redshirt junior center Meioshe Manson said. “You just gotta make the best of it, and I feel like that’s what they’re all doing here. Just because they have something a little different about themselves, it doesn’t stop them from being what they want to do. Everybody can do what they want to do.” 

After a morning filled with friendly competition, encouragement, and shared moments on the court, it was clear the event meant just as much to the EIU players and coaches as it did to the participants.

For Weiler, seeing those connections come to life is exactly why the Beautiful Lives Project exists.

“Through sitting on the basketball bench, I was able to experience college basketball and be surrounded by people who believed in me and who wanted to help me to live my dreams,” Weiler said. I wanted to help other adults and children with disabilities to be able to live their dreams.” 

Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at paliggins@eiu.edu.