Jared Rehm is bringing his wheels to the courts.
Rehm, a senior in philosophy, is Auburn University's first wheelchair tennis player, and was honored as such at the Ball State game two weeks ago.
"It was a really cool experience," Rehm said. "I've never stood in front of 80,000 people before. It wasn't until after the game it really hit me when people came up to me and said 'Hi' and congratulated me. It was a real positive experience to know we're getting the word out."
Rehm was born with spina bifida, a birth defect in which the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth.
Rehm said he learned to deal with his situation at a young age and recognized his limitations.
"When people ask me if it's hard I tell them I don't really know any other way, but I don't think my life is any harder because of it," Rehm said.
Rehm has played wheelchair sports since he was 13 and even then his parents were supportive.
He said they made sure he had all the tools he needed to succeed in sports.
"My mom would drive me to Montgomery to meet up with a coach from Birmingham to play tennis once a week," Rehm said. "Playing wheelchair sports requires a lot of travel, but my parents were always willing to send me where I needed to go to keep playing."
Rehm's parents still go to tournaments whenever they can and often call him with fundraiser ideas.
"Right now the program is funded by donations," Rehm said. "The Program for Students with Disabilities has a fund that we're able to use. Hopefully if the program gets enough support financially and from the University, I'll have a coaching position when I finish my master's so I can continue to help the program."
In addition to tennis, the Program for Students with Disabilities is also looking to field a basketball team, but does not have enough players. Rehm hopes that will change within the next few years.
"Next year I hope to drive around and find one other player so I can have a constant doubles partner," Rehm said. "Hopefully in the years after that we'll have enough to roster a basketball team."
Aside from being the only player on the tennis team, Rehm is also one of the main recruiters for the program.
"I travel to different high schools and talk to the kids just like any other recruiter does," Rehm said. "I call them up and see how they are doing as well as check on their grades and invite them for a campus visit."
Joining Rehm in recruiting is first year master's student Nathan Waters.
Waters is Rehm's regular tennis partner and helps him prepare for tournaments.
"Honestly he is helping me more than anything," Waters said. "I'm not a very good tennis player and playing with Jared has helped me out with my game."
Waters was hired by the organization to help Rehm build the program.
"I'm excited and I will do everything I can to continue to help," Waters said.
Rehm said the wheelchair tennis program created a Web site, www.auadaptive.org for people to keep up with the program and promote its memorial scholarship fund.
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