Members

Upcoming Events

History

Constitution

Programs

Links

Contact Us

LWBA PAST MEMBER, KEITH'S PROFILE

Click image below for larger image.
Full Name:  Keith (Hoss) Cartwright

                    
Keith has been a LWBA member since it's inception in 1984.  He died October 15, 2004 and is greatly missed.

Keith was known for his patience on and off the court.  He was also known as a "gunner" for his dead-accurate shooting.  

Keith Cartwright:  "An inspiration to others who had been injured"
by Eric Bender, Free Press Sports Reporter
A funeral service was held Tuesday, October 19, 2004 for a London man described as a Canadian hero.  

Keith Cartwright, 57, who succumbed to cancer, has been hailed as such by the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association for his indefatigable efforts in founding the London Wheelchair Basketball Association and playing on numerous local, provincial and national championship squads, including the 1989 Canadian national team that won gold over the favoured Americans 68-50 in the world championship in Stoke Mandeville, England.

Cartwright scored 14 points.  He was a member of the provincial team from 1981 to 1990.  

Critically ill this year, Cartwright was hounoured at a reception by the LWBA in August when his No. 12 jersey was retired by his team, the Forest City Flyers.

He was inducted to the CWBA hall of fame in May 2003.

Over the years, Cartwright, who was employed as an individual underwriter for 32 years with London Life, held various positions with the LWBA, including president, treasurer and coach.

He was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a spinal cord injury on his brother's farm south of Blyth in 1963 and was an inspiration to others in later years.  One was Jason Clark, now president of the LWBA, who lost both legs in an accident.  "He absolutely loves the game of basketball," Clark said this summer.  "Next to his family, I think it's his greatest love."

Paul Bowes, CWBA president and an assistant coach for the Paralympic team that went to Athens, as well as Clark's stepfather, was one of those Cartwright persuaded to get involved.  "Sure, you can" was one of Cartwright's favorite sayings, Bowes recalled.

Keith Cartwright, Jersey # 12 Retirement Ceremony
BRIAN WHITWHAM, London Free Press  2004-08-13
Jason Clark can't imagine what his life would be like had he not met Keith Cartwright. It was Cartwright who visited Clark in hospital after Clark lost both his legs in an accident. It was Cartwright who encouraged Clark to play wheelchair basketball, which helped greatly with his physical and emotional recovery.  "And I owe it all to Keith," he said.

Now Cartwright is critically ill with bone cancer.

On Sunday, Clark and many others will honor him at a reception near Ilderton. The London  Wheelchair Basketball Association (LWBA) will retire Cartwright's No. 12 jersey to honor his dedication to the sport.

Cartwright suffered a spinal cord injury in 1968 on his brother's farm south of Blyth. In 1984, he  was a founder of the LWBA.

Over the years, Cartwright has been a driving force behind the group and has served in many roles, including president, treasurer and coach. He has also had a successful athletic career, playing on several provincial and national teams.

He played a critical role on the court when the Canadian team won gold at the 1989 world championship in Stoke Mandeville, England.  In the final match, Cartwright scored 14 points for Canada in a 68-50 victory over a favored U.S. team.

"He absolutely loves the game of basketball," said Clark, now president of the London Wheelchair Basketball Association. "Next to his family, I think it's his greatest love."

Cartwright also persuaded Clark's stepfather, Paul Bowes, to get involved. Bowes became an assistant coach for the London Flyers in 1988. He's now the president of the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association (CWBA) and an assistant coach for the Paralympic team that's heading to Athens in September. Bowes said it's all been due to Cartwright's motivation.  "He's been a huge instrumental part of any success that I've been able to garner on the international stage," Bowes said. He said Cartwright has always imparted to others that they can do whatever they put their minds to. "Even when I started out, I'd think, 'Well, I can't do that' and he'd say, 'Sure you can.' That was one of his favorite sayings," Bowes said. "It's just his way. He's fatherly, he's brotherly, he's one in a million . . . I think the big thing is that he makes you think that all your ideas are the best in the world: 'Just do it; don't talk about it; just put it into action.' "

Cartwright was an insurance adjuster at London Life for 33 years.

He probably won't be there on Sunday, but his wife Linda and daughters, Patricia and Donna, will attend on his behalf. Linda Cartwright said her husband has always shown the same dedication at home that he's shown everywhere else. "He loved to help people in any way he could," she said. "That was his goal."

In May 2003, Cartwright was inducted into the CWBA Hall of Fame. The hall calls him a Canadian hero.

International Competitions

1989 Gold Medallist, World Champion Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Team, Stoke Mandeville, England.
1990 Bronze Medallist, World Champion Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Team, Stoke Mandeville, England.

National Competitions

1981 Silver Medallist, National Championships with Team Ontario.
1982 Silver Medallist, National Championships with Team Ontario.
1983 Silver Medallist, National Championships with Team Ontario.
1984 Silver Medallist, National Championships with Team Ontario.
1985 Silver Medallist, National Championships with Team Ontario.
1986 Silver Medallist, National Championships with Team Ontario.
1987 Silver Medallist, National Championships with Team Ontario.
1988 Silver Medallist, National Championships with Team Ontario. 
1989 Coach of the Bronze Medallist, National Championships with Team Ontario. 
1990 Silver Medallist, National Championships with Team Ontario.

Local Competitions and Achievements

1985 All-Star, London, ON, tournament.
1986 All-Star, London, ON, tournament.
1987 All-Star, London, ON, tournament.
1988 All-Star, London,ON, tournament.
1988 All-Star, Toronto, ON, tournament.
1990 All-Star, Toronto, ON, tournament.
1990 All-Star, Connecticut, TN, tournament.
1991 All-Star, London, ON, tournament.
2003 Inducted into CWBA "Hall of Fame" Builder.
2004 Retired #12 Jersey.