Mike Beardsley

Mike Beardsley enters his tenure as head coach of the University of Arizona Men’s Wheelchair Basketball program as one of the emerging leaders in collegiate adaptive athletics. A Tucson native and longtime member of Arizona’s adaptive sports community, Beardsley has helped elevate the Wildcats into a nationally recognized program built on competitive excellence, player development, and team culture.

Beardsley began working within University of Arizona Adaptive Athletics in 2009 before being named head coach of the men’s wheelchair basketball program in 2019. Previously he was assistant coach for the program from 2014-2019. He has also coached in the women’s division, adult & juniors divisions in the NWBA, & wheelchair softball. Through years of recruiting, program development, and establishing a championship culture, he guided Arizona through a period of sustained growth and national relevance.

Under Beardsley’s leadership, Arizona captured the program’s first National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament (NIWBT) National Championship in 2025, defeating UT Arlington and finishing a historic season with 28 wins. The championship came after consecutive runner-up finishes and marked a breakthrough moment for the program and for Arizona Adaptive Athletics.

His leadership has helped position Arizona among the premier collegiate wheelchair basketball programs in the country while contributing to the university’s long-standing tradition of excellence in adaptive athletics. Arizona’s national title also earned the program the opportunity to host future championship events in Tucson and further expand the visibility of adaptive sport.

Beardsley is a graduate of Sunnyside High School in Tucson, Arizona, where he completed his secondary education in 2009 before continuing his academic and professional development at The University of Arizona. He attended Arizona from 2009–2014 and earned a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Dietetics and Nutrition in 2014. His academic background reflects an interest in health, performance, and athlete development that complements his work in collegiate athletics.

Committed to continued growth as an educator and leader, Beardsley is currently pursuing graduate studies through Arizona’s College of Education, working toward a degree in Sports and Recreation Leadership. His continued education aligns with his focus on building

impactful athletic programs, developing student-athletes, and advancing opportunities within adaptive sports.

Career Highlights

· 2025 NIWBT National Champion

o Led Arizona to the program’s first national title

· 174-70 Career Record as Head Coach