UNO Alum Jeromie Meyer to Compete in Paris Paralympics

Highlights

• UNO alum Jeromie Meyer will compete on the U.S. men’s wheelchair basketball team as they compete a third straight gold medal.

• “Going to UNO was what really drove me to become a better basketball player and find ways to further compete at a higher level,” said Meyer. “I have nothing but positive memories. I loved the campus and the atmosphere.”

• The Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games begin on Aug. 28 and run through Sept. 8. Meyer and his teammates will have their first game on Aug. 29 against Spain.

Jeromie Meyer, an Iowa native and University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) alum, will join Team USA at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games. He will play for the men’s wheelchair basketball team as they compete to win their third consecutive gold medal.

As a UNO student, Meyer was part of the wheelchair basketball program, but his history with the university began much earlier.

From the time he began playing wheelchair basketball at ten years old and on through high school, he would have most practices and games in the HPER Center, now called the Wellness Center in the H&K Building.

“UNO was a huge part of my basketball development because it was always a resource and a place where we were welcomed with open arms to compete, practice, or schedule any type of event,” said Meyer.

His high school coach, Mike Kult, then asked him to enroll at UNO and join its new wheelchair basketball program, which Kult was helming. Meyer and a couple of his high school teammates signed on and enjoyed their time as UNO students.

“Going to UNO was what really drove me to become a better basketball player and find ways to further compete at a higher level,” said Meyer. “I have nothing but positive memories. I loved the campus and the atmosphere.”

He currently works in adaptive sports as a program coordinator and is earning his master’s degree in athletic administration at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“We do a lot of community outreach in the Greater Milwaukee area to individuals impacted by physical disabilities. We encourage them to play adaptive recreational sports, and their friends and families can join in. I want to figure out a way to give back to the thing that's given me so much,” shared Meyer.

His advice to young athletes is, “First, have fun. Just have fun doing what you’re doing, whether it’s any type of sport or hobby that you’re really wanting to get into, and dive into it fully. Second, pick and choose your battles. Some days will be hard or disappointing, and nothing in life is linear. If you let every obstacle frustrate you, you’re going to lead a miserable life.”

Over the years, Meyer has continued playing and competing with various teams, winning championships and tournaments, striving to keep getting better.

“Not only is he a very good athlete, but he also continues to work hard on improving his game,” shares former coach Kult. “Because of his hard work, he is considered one of the best wheelchair basketball players. I hope he enjoys the journey because he’s earned it.”

That hard work and talent paid off, earning him a spot on the US team at the Santiago Parapan American Games in November 2023, where the team won gold.

Then, earlier this year in March, he was notified that he would be going to the Paralympics Games.

“It's a pretty big accomplishment and honor. A lot goes into getting to this point, a lot of sacrificing and hard work. It just shows that if you manifest and stay on track, you can ultimately accomplish your goals,” said Meyer.

Any Paralympics athlete hopes to win gold, but his team has some additional pressure. Having won gold at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games, they are aiming for a third consecutive gold.

Meyer and the other newer players want to help their veteran teammates make history. If they win gold again this year, they will be the first men’s wheelchair basketball team to win gold three times in a row at the Paralympics.

Beyond that goal, Meyer is highly anticipating another moment at the Paralympic Games in Paris.

“When they call out our team and I hear my name, listening to the national anthem on the world stage with USA across my chest: I think that's going to be the moment where I just soak it all in and I’m like, ‘Yep, this is true. This isn't like a false reality. This is real life.’”

The Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games begin on Aug. 28 and run through Sept. 8. Meyer and his teammates will have their first game on Aug. 29 against Spain.