Jan. 11-13: Pioneer Classic Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

Twenty-two teams from across the country will be in Birmingham to play in the 26th Annual Pioneer Classic at Lakeshore Foundation the weekend of January 11th. Teams will compete in the Championship, Division III, and women’s division, including the University of Alabama’s defending national champion women’s team. There will also be six youth teams participating.

The Pioneer Classic has grown over the years and become one of the premier wheelchair basketball tournaments in the country. The tournament began in 1987 when Jo Fowler, along with other members of BellSouth’s all-volunteer community service organization, now known as the AT&T Pioneers.

“The Pioneer Classic is perhaps one of the longest running sporting events in Birmingham and has showcased the nation’s best talent in wheelchair basketball over the years – from up and coming young players to the elite level Paralympians,” said Lakeshore Foundation President Jeff Underwood. “We are always proud to serve as the host for this special tournament.”

Games begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 11 and continue through Sunday.