Emily Hoskins is an American wheelchair basketball player. As a member of the United States women's national wheelchair basketball team, she has won two gold medals at the Summer Paralympic Games.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Streator, Illinois, US |
| Education | Parkland College BS, 2007, University of Illinois MA, Murray State University |
| Sport | |
| Country |  United States |
| Sport | Wheelchair basketball (2004–2009) |
| Team | United States women's national wheelchair basketball team |
| Turned pro | 2004 |
| Retired | 2009 |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Paralympic finals |
|
Early life
editHoskins was born in 1983 in Streator, Illinois to parents Greg and Linda.[1] Her father Greg was the advertising manager at The Times-Press and general manager at papers in West Frankfort and Marion, Illinois.[2] Hoskins was born with Neuroblastoma, which merged into her spinal cord and permanently damaged the nerves in her legs.[3]
At age 14, Hoskins became involved in wheelchair basketball while in high school and joined the St. Louis Junior Rolling Rams. While competing with them, she also represented the St. Louis Wheelchair Athletic Association in track and field during her junior year. Although she qualified for the nationals in all of her events, Hoskins was unable to compete due to a spinal fusion.[2]
Career
editUpon graduating from Mascoutah Community High School, Hoskins enrolled at Parkland College and became the youngest team member selected for the United States women's national wheelchair basketball team for the 2004 Summer Paralympics.[4] Hoskins was originally named an alternate for the team but a week before the competition she was asked to replace a teammate.[5] With her help, the U.S. women's wheelchair basketball team won their first gold medal since 1988.[1] She was also named the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Women's Most Improved Player.[6] Upon returning to North America, Hoskins transferred to the University of Illinois in 2004.[4]
Hoskins graduated from the University of Illinois in 2007 and began playing with the Phoenix Banner Mercury Wheelchair Team. As a result of her play, Hoskins was again selected to compete for Team USA at the 2008 Summer Paralympics.[7] She helped the team beat Germany 50–38 to repeat as the women's wheelchair basketball champions.[8] Following her second gold medal, Hoskins continued to play with the Mercury Wheelchair Team and competed for the 2010 Friendship Games Osaka Cup.[9]
Personal life
editBy 2013, Hoskins had moved to Nashville, Tennessee, with her then-boyfriend Cody Campbell and began working with an advocacy group that helps find housing for disabled and elderly citizens.[10] She eventually retired from playing and began coaching the Music City Thunder in the Junior Division.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b Olsen, Harold (October 11, 2004). "Bringing home the gold". The Times. Retrieved June 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Olson, Harold (June 20, 2000). "Above everything, Hoskins is a winner". The Times. Retrieved June 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Perlman, Judi (April 25, 1984). "St. Jude offering hope for Emily". The Times. Retrieved June 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Isbell, Gene (April 10, 2003). "Hoskins has her eyes on Athens". The Herald. Retrieved June 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Marion, Scott (February 4, 2009). "Hoskins makes her mark on U.S. national teams". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
- ^ "EMILY HOSKINS". Team USA. Archived from the original on January 1, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
- ^ Gillett, Keith (September 4, 2008). "Going for the gold as Emily Hoskins heads for Paralympics". The Herald. Retrieved June 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Gillett, Keith (September 18, 2008). "Tears of joy and relief as Emily wins gold in Beijing". The Herald. Retrieved June 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hoskins competes in wheelchair basketball tourney in Japan". The Herald. February 25, 2010. Retrieved June 28, 2021 – via Friendship.com.
- ^ "Congratulations". The Herald. January 3, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "The Junior Division Elects Elliston as New President and Re-Elects Winterstein and Hoskins". National Wheelchair Basketball Association. August 3, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2021.