From Tragedy to Triumph: Former UConn Basketball Player Finds New Life in Paralympic Curling
Milan, Italy – Steve Emt’s life took a dramatic turn in March 1995. A single decision – driving under the influence – led to a car crash that left the then 25-year-old paralyzed from the waist down. But what began as a devastating blow has transformed into an inspiring story of resilience, acceptance, and athletic rebirth. Now, at 56, Emt is competing at the Paralympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina, representing the United States in wheelchair curling.
For months after the accident on I-84 near Hartford, Connecticut, Emt wrestled with denial. He initially told others a deer had caused the crash, unable to face the truth about his actions. “I was lying to myself,” Emt confessed. “I didn’t want to be a drunk driver… But then I wasn’t healing. I wasn’t moving on because I didn’t accept it.”
Emt’s athletic background made the transition to paralysis particularly difficult. A star basketball player at RHAM High School, averaging 27 points per game, he’d been recruited to play at the U.S. Military Academy before transferring to the University of Connecticut following the sudden death of his father. He even walked on to the UConn basketball team, where coach Jim Calhoun offered him support during a difficult time, recognizing their shared experience of losing a parent.
Despite playing in two games for the Huskies, Emt’s basketball career was seemingly over after the crash. But his story didn’t end there. After confronting the truth about the accident, Emt began speaking publicly about the dangers of drunk driving, hoping to prevent others from making the same mistake.
Then, in 2002, seventeen years after the accident, a chance encounter on Cape Cod changed everything. An older man, Tony Colacchio, a former curler and president of the Cape Cod Curling Club, noticed Emt’s physique and suggested he try wheelchair curling. “He’s like, ‘Excuse me, are you local?’” Emt recalled. “And with your build, I can make you with an Olympian in a year.”
Despite having no prior knowledge of the sport, Emt was immediately intrigued. He quickly immersed himself in training, balancing his day job as a teacher with rigorous practice sessions. The transition wasn’t easy. “It was very frustrating,” he said, “because I went from playing basketball… Curling is a complete 180. We shake hands before we play. There’s no smack-talking.”
His dedication paid off. By 2015, Emt was representing the United States in world championships, and he competed in the Paralympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, in 2018 and Beijing in 2022. He and teammate Laura Dwyer have already secured two wins in their first three matches at the Milan Cortina Games, aiming for a Paralympic medal.
Emt’s journey is a testament to the power of acceptance, perseverance, and the human spirit. He reflects on his experience with profound gratitude. “I love everything about wearing the colors, wearing the jersey,” he said. “In my opinion, the two greatest honors in a lifetime for an American are to serve in the military for their country and to serve as an athlete for their country. I’ve done them both. So I’m in a very happy place right now. Life is beautiful.”
Emt hopes to continue competing and inspire others with disabilities, with his sights set on the 2034 Paralympics in Utah. His story serves as a powerful reminder that even after life’s most challenging setbacks, new beginnings are possible.
