Even though spina bifida has restricted freshman Dylan Baggett to a wheelchair since birth, he has never let his disability hinder him from accomplishing anything. In fact, he has taken the opportunity to do just the opposite. 

“My disability has opened my eyes to things I probably would not have done if I were born without a disability,” Baggett said.

Not many students can call themselves founders of a club sports team, and Baggett took that distinct accomplishment a step further when he became the first on this campus to use a wheelchair. Baggett is the founder of St. Edward’s University Club Tennis team, one of Campus Recreation’s most recent additions to the ever-growing roster of club sports.

Baggett has played tennis for as long as he can remember and plays competitively across the country against others in wheelchairs, but he also competes against non-disabled players for fun. In these types of matches, the non-disabled player gets one bounce and the player in a wheelchair gets two. The United States Tennis Association ranks Baggett 82nd in the country in the wheelchair tennis division.

Last semester, Baggett met with Director of Campus Recreation Andy Lemons to propose the club tennis team. He wanted to contribute to the students at St. Edward’s and give himself a means to play more often. Campus Recreation approved the club, and there are now about 10 members. However, the club is unable to meet. Currently, the on-campus tennis courts are not handicap accessible, and there is no feasible way for Baggett to get on the court. 

“There is basically a giant ditch in the way,” Baggett said. “I think the problem has been brought up in board meetings, but nothing has really been done about it.”

There is also the additional question of whether or not these courts will be available for club sport use. The courts’ recent renovations have raised many questions about accessibility and playtime. 

The courts’ current inaccessibility has not stopped Baggett from playing, though, just as his love of the outdoors does not stop with tennis. Baggett is an avid nature photographer and loves to kayak through national parks. Baggett is also the Austin chapter director of the non-profit organization Turning Point, a group that organizes sporting and outdoor recreation events for people with disabilities.

According to Baggett, growing up in Nacogdoches on 50 acres accompanied by frequent camping trips sparked his love for the outdoors.

Baggett’s passion for nature lends itself to many aspects of his life, including his time in the classroom. The freshman is an environmental science and policy major and wants to pursue sustainable business consulting. 

Baggett also tries to be a role model for people facing similar adversity. He meets with people who, because of a car accident or other reasons, have recently been restricted to a wheelchair.

“They think their life is over,” Baggett said. “Then I say something like let’s go whitewater kayaking.”

Once the tennis club can meet, Baggett wants to start off doing regular hitting sessions because many of the members have limited experience playing tennis. After the club works on skills, if there is interest, Baggett would like to see the team compete in intercollegiate tournaments.

Baggett’s says that he is treated really well at St. Edward’s and in general.

“Most of the time people are especially nice to me. Occasionally I get patronized, but generally everybody likes me,” Baggett said.