Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Business Systems Center (BSC) hosted a wheelchair basketball tournament at Mechanicsburg Middle School for both its military and civilian employees Oct. 19.

Navy military and civilians were challenged to a game of wheelchair basketball with Chairiot Express, a wheelchair athletic association which promotes sports participation for children with disabilities.

"NAVSUP Business Systems Center is very proud to be a part of bringing awareness to our community by sponsoring an event like this," said NAVSUP BSC Commanding Officer Capt. Kurt Wendelken. "This is my third year participating in an event I am honored to be part of. The Chairiots play so well -- something that is a real challenge for us."

Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is celebrated to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. NAVSUP BSC brings awareness to this campaign each year by hosting a wheelchair basketball tournament.

The event was preceded by a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner sang by Nathan Hurley, a student at Mechanicsburg Middle School. The games started with a matchup between the Navy military and the Chairiot Express teams.

The activities continued with the Mechanicsburg Middle School students versus Mechanicsburg Middle School staff, who won 10-2. Good Hope Middle School students also had an opportunity to play against their staff. The game was close, but ended with a student victory 8-6.

The exciting rivalry of the night was the Navy civilians versus the Navy military service members. The teams were very competitive, but the civilians came out on top 12-6.

Spirits were high as the games continued throughout the evening. Mechanicsburg staff took on the Chairiot Express, eventually falling to the Chairiots 17-2. Navy civilians beat Good Hope students with a score of 16-8.

The civilians appeared almost unbeatable, at least until the final game of the night. The last match was the Navy civilians versus the Chairiot Express. The civilians had finally met their match, with the Chairiots winning with a final score of 26-18.

While this was a fun evening with a lot of friendly competition, the real reason for this event was to foster awareness of the capabilities of people faced with disabilities.

An ABC27 news reporter attended for the first time, with hopes to play in the tournament next year.

While interviewing a Chairiot Express team member, it was easy to feel the excitement and support the team had for this cause.

"I love being part of an event that brings awareness to people with disabilities," said player Tom McNaughton.

The theme for this year's October National Disability Employment Awareness Month is "#INCLUSIONWORKS" -- inclusion works for opportunity, for business, and for innovation.

"NAVSUP Business Systems Center helps to spread the important message that we value diverse perspectives, especially those of individuals with disabilities," said Wendelken. "At work or school, it's inclusion that matters."

NAVSUP Business Systems Center is a proud sponsor of this event and theme, and looks forward to hosting another successful event in 2017.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/.