Inductees

Kathy Miller

Kathy Miller was introduced to wheelchair basketball after losing both of her legs in a car accident in the mid-1970s. She went on to become one of the pioneers and sustaining members of the NWBA Women’s Division, competing at the highest levels of the sport throughout a distinguished 17-year playing career.

A member of two prominent programs—the Courage Center Rolling Gophers and the Wheels of Fortune—Miller was a dynamic offensive threat from both the key and the perimeter. Equally respected for her defensive prowess, she earned selection to eight All-Tournament Teams and was named Tournament MVP on two occasions. On the international stage, Miller served as captain of the U.S. Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team, leading the squad to a gold medal at the Pan American Games in Nova Scotia—the first international gold medal in the history of the women’s program.

In 1980, Japan invited the NWBA to assemble an international delegation to support the growth and development of wheelchair basketball as part of the Have a Seat Tour. Miller was selected as one of just 10 athletes named to the women’s team representing the United States. During the tour, the team competed and earned victories in Tokyo, Yokohama, Sendai City, Sapporo, and Osaka.

Following her playing career, Miller worked in stop-loss insurance for 17 years and owned a bowling alley for more than two decades. She retired in May 2024.

Eric Barber

Beginning his wheelchair basketball career at age 13 with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) Dawgs, Dr. Eric Barber has built an accomplished and enduring legacy in the sport. He is a 2002 NWBA National Champion, a two-time recipient of the NWBT Captain Ure Sportsmanship Award, and a five-time Division I First Team NWBT selection.

Barber was a member of the U.S. National Team from 1997 to 2013, representing the United States across multiple international competitions. He is a two-time Paralympic bronze medalist, earning medals with the U.S. Paralympic wheelchair basketball team at the 2000 and 2012 Paralympic Games. He also competed at the IWBF World Championships in 1998 and 2002, where he was named to the 2002 All-World Team and recognized as one of the top five players in the world. His international success continued with a silver medal at the 2006 IWBF World Championships and a bronze medal at the 2010 IWBF World Championships.

Beyond the court, Barber earned a doctoral degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in 2023. He currently works at Madison College in Madison, Wisconsin.

Buddy Barnes

William Carson Barnes Jr., known to many simply as “Buddy,” has been a longstanding and deeply respected member of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, serving the organization as a coach, administrator, official, and staff leader.

Wearing nearly every hat within the NWBA, Barnes served as a head coach from 2006 to 2008, leading the Championship Division team Siskin Rebounders (formerly the Chattanooga Big Wheels) and helping develop athletes both on and off the court. In 2008, he joined the Adult Division Ranking Committee, a role he continues to hold today. Barnes later served as Championship Division (Division I) Commissioner from 2010 to 2015 and concurrently as Division III Commissioner from 2011 to 2015. Following those appointments, he was named Adult Division Commissioner, overseeing Divisions I, II, and III—a position he continues to hold with distinction.

In addition to his leadership roles, Barnes has worked as a NWBA referee since 1993, officiating games across the country and contributing decades of firsthand knowledge of the sport. Whether making a difficult call on the court or guiding organizational decisions, he is widely respected for his sound judgment, consistency, and integrity. Known throughout the NWBA for his willingness to educate others, Barnes is a constant advocate for the growth and understanding of the game.

With his induction, Barnes will become part of the first-ever father–son duo to be named to the NWBA Hall of Fame. His father, Carson Barnes, served the NWBA as both a player and head coach and was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2017. His father’s passion for the sport, commitment to integrity, and dedication to service laid the foundation for Buddy’s own remarkable journey in wheelchair basketball.

Jim Glatch

James “Jim” Glatch is one of the most influential leaders in the history of collegiate and international wheelchair basketball, leaving nearly three decades of impact as a coach, administrator, mentor, and advocate.

Glatch became head coach of the Rolling Scots Adaptive Sports Program at Edinboro University in 1995, transforming what was primarily a recreational program into a national powerhouse. Under his leadership, Edinboro routinely posted 20-win seasons, produced numerous All-Americans, and finished second nationally during the historic 2006–07 season. Equally significant was his emphasis on academics, resulting in a 75 percent graduation rate and multiple Academic All-Americans. In 2001, Glatch helped transition the wheelchair basketball program into Edinboro’s Athletic Department—a landmark step that increased institutional support, visibility, and long-term sustainability.

A tireless servant of the NWBA, Glatch held numerous leadership roles, including Keystone Conference Treasurer; Vice President and President of the Intercollegiate Division; Chair of the Tournament Selection Committee; and Chair of the High Performance Program from 2021 to 2023. He also co-authored the original bylaws for the Intercollegiate Division, helping establish consistent standards for collegiate wheelchair basketball nationwide.

On the international stage, Glatch served as head coach of the U.S. Men’s U23 National Team, leading the program to a gold medal at the 2009 World Championships in Paris. He later guided the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team to a bronze medal at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

Beyond competition, Glatch has made a lasting impact through athlete development and service, including directing wheelchair basketball camps and dedicating years to veteran-focused programming at Walter Reed, where he introduced wounded service members to the sport.

Jim is married to his wife, Sandy, and together they have three children and one grandson.

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