From May 20 to June 3, 2024, Kevin Atlas, the one-armed basketball king from the United States, led NCAA players to Taiwan to participate in the “Friendly Hoops” promotion project. On May 23, Kevin Atlas and his teammates held a basketball friendly match at Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) to promote the concepts of sports equality and a friendly environment. This friendly match not only showcased the charm of Taiwan’s sports events but also embodied the holistic education philosophy upheld by CYCU, emphasizing the comprehensive development of students and their social responsibilities.
The core of the Friendly Hoops project is to break down the barriers between disabilities and sports through basketball, promoting inclusiveness and friendliness in society. The project hopes that each school, community, and institution with a basketball court will set up one friendly hoop for every six hoops, allowing friends with disabilities and those from underprivileged backgrounds to play basketball without obstacles, making sports fields friendly and inclusive spaces.
Before the match, Kevin Atlas shared his journey of overcoming difficulties. Despite being born without his left arm below the elbow, he faced frequent exclusion and intentional neglect on the basketball court. Nevertheless, he never gave up his love and pursuit of basketball. With indomitable spirit, he overcame difficulties to become an outstanding basketball player and speaker, actively participating in public welfare activities to promote sports equality. Kevin Atlas used his inspiring journey to encourage CYCU students to overcome difficulties and bravely pursue their dreams.
Chi-ya Chang, the wife of Taoyuan City Mayor Chang San-cheng and a visiting associate professor in the Department of Business Administration at Chung Yuan Christian University, stated that the key to success is relentless effort. Using Kevin Atlas’s success story as a source of mutual encouragement and motivation, she expressed her gratitude to Chung Yuan Christian University, entrepreneurs, and the schools supporting this charitable event. She also conveyed her honor in inviting Kevin Atlas and NCAA players to Taiwan to jointly promote the “Friendly Hoops” initiative.
This event was not just a sports competition but also a feast for education and the soul. Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) stated that participating in the “Friendly Hoops” promotion project embodies CYCU’s holistic education philosophy. It allowed students to personally experience the excellence of top international athletes and learn the spirit of perseverance from them. CYCU is committed to cultivating the overall qualities of its students, focusing not only on academic achievements but also on character, sports, arts, and social responsibility. The university will continue to promote more meaningful activities in the future, aiming to nurture CYCU students into well-rounded individuals with excellent character and academic performance, and a global perspective.
