Everything Auburn podcast: OperationGOLD and Team USA wheelchair handball

Auburn University College of Education associate clinical professor Ford Dyke is called to play many roles — and each one proves its worth in gold.

"Each day it's a different hat, but to me it's all an Auburn experience," he said.

Fourteen years ago, the Florida native made his way to the Plains to pursue both a master’s and doctorate in Auburn’s School of Kinesiology. Today, he directs Mindfulness@Auburn and travels as a performance coach with all three of Auburn’s Adapted Athletics teams.

"Whether I'm in a classroom teaching students, doing research data collection, or coaching on the sideline, it's all interconnected," Dyke explained.

Now, armed with a spirit that is not afraid, Dyke is stepping boldly onto the world stage — literally.

Auburn's School of Kinesiology associate clinical professor Ford Dyke was tabbed as head coach for the USA Wheelchair Handball National Team in 2024.

In 2024, he was named head coach of the USA Wheelchair Handball National Team. His first call? Fellow Auburn graduate and Olympian Reita Clanton.

"She said, ‘I'm all in,’" Dyke recalled. "If it wasn't for her, I don't think I would be sitting here. She's really the pioneer."

Dyke, who spent seven years competing with the USA Men’s Handball Team, didn’t hesitate. He built the team from the ground up — securing sponsors, funding, equipment, facilities, staff, and the infrastructure needed to launch a world‑class program.

"We're trying to elevate this sport," Dyke said. "I'm bringing the best team of athletes and the best staff possible."

He named Clanton as assistant coach and added former Olympian Lisa Egan from the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. He tapped Eric Finch, who helped launch Auburn’s Team Handball Club, as goalkeeper coach. Camden Bentley, head athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach for Auburn Adapted Athletics, joined the staff along with mental performance coach Derek Sorensen.

Dyke also forged a partnership with Auburn‑Opelika Tourism, giving the team access to elite local facilities. The collaboration has become a cornerstone of the team’s rise — representing not only the stars and stripes, but the grit, pride and resilience of the region and Auburn University on a global stage.

"When Team USA gets involved, it just raises everything," Dyke said. "We knew there could be a greater impact if we were able to perform at a high enough level to get more traction, more eyes, more ears and more awareness on our sport globally."

The world took notice when Team USA won a silver medal at the 2024 3rd IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship.

And perform they did.

Right out of the gate, the team captured a silver medal at the 2024 3rd IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship and a bronze medal at the 2025 4th Euro Hand 4 All.

Now, the team is gearing up for two major international competitions. Both will set the stage for the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.

"We've named this year OperationGOLD," Dyke said. "We travel to France on June 24 and play July 1 through 5. We return in August, recalibrate, and go again to Barcelona, Spain, September 14 through 21 for the World Championships."

This weekend, adaptive athletes from across the country will gather at Auburn’s Lake Wilmore Park Recreation Center for selection camp. The final roster will draw heavily from athletes in wheelchair basketball, tennis and rugby.

All USA Wheelchair Handball National Team adapted athletes are self funded. All team coaches, including Dyke, are volunteers.

"A lot of the fundamental aspects of adaptive sports are universal — making sure your wheelchair is just an extension of your body," said team hopeful Jay Denning.

Denning, a Nashville native and graphic design major in Auburn’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction, was a hoops standout on last year’s national championship‑winning Auburn University Wheelchair Basketball team.

"The hardest part was learning how to dribble differently," Denning said. "In handball everything must be overhand and you're using your entire upper body in this windmill mechanic. It's kind of a learning curve, but I love learning, so it's great."

All athletes, including Denning, are self‑funded. All coaches, including Dyke, are volunteers.

To remove financial barriers, Dyke — with the help of his mother and uncle — founded The 24 Fund, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting adaptive athletes.

"We have to ensure we have the right support for our athletes," Dyke said. "I don't want any athlete or any staff member worrying about anything except for what's at stake."

Next week, the team will drop game‑changing news — a brand with global reach is signing on as an Official Partner of the USA Wheelchair Handball National Team through The 24 Fund, Inc.

Elite athlete selection camp open to the public

Elite Athlete Selection Camp for the USA Wheelchair Handball National Team is open to the public June 12–14, 2026, at Auburn's Lake Wilmore Park Recreation Center.

Come watch seven high-energy training sessions as Team USA grinds toward gold: Friday, June 12: 3–5 p.m. and 6:30–7:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 13: 9–10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. and 5:30–7 p.m.; Sunday, June 14: 9–10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

SUPPORT TEAM USA

"I don't know if I'll coach forever, but I see myself running the nonprofit," Dyke said. "We want to provide resources to any adapted athlete competing for Team USA at the world championship or Paralympic levels."

That mission resonates deeply with Denning, whose mother taught him never to let his disability define his limits.

"I'm surrounded by greatness and just creating my brotherhood of lifelong friends," Denning said.

For Dyke, this gold-defining moment is the spark shaped by every hat he wears — and every ounce of Auburn‑fueled purpose he carries.

"It's a way to impact the world and leave it a little bit better than when I found it," he said. "We're not here that long, so I'm trying to have a great reach and return the investment on behalf of my mentors who passed that baton to me."

Support Team USA and stay locked into the team’s pursuit of OperationGOLD on Instagram.