UT Arlington College of Engineering
UT Arlington

Alumni Profile
Paul Schulte – Wheeling Olympic-style

Engineering majors are not usually known for their athletic abilities; Paul Schulte is an exception.

Paul has used a wheelchair since an automobile accident the day after his 10th birthday resulted in the loss of feeling below mid-thigh. He continued to participate in activities with his friends, only in a new manner. For instance, he was the quarterback when they played touch football; he wasn’t required to move around much before getting rid of the ball.

During his high school years, Paul distinguished himself academically and on the basketball court, so much so that he received a full athletic scholarship to attend UT Arlington, where he played on the Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team from 1997 to 2002. In 2002, the Movin’ Mavs won the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball championship, one of seven UT Arlington teams have captured. For his outstanding performance that year, Paul was named conference MVP, First Team All-American, Academic All-American and a co-winner of the Sportsmanship Award. His #20 jersey was retired in 2003.

His achievements on the court are recognized globally: He won gold medals as a member of the U.S.A. men’s team in the 1998 and 2002 Gold Cup (World Championships), a silver medal in the 2006 Gold Cup and a bronze medal in the 2000 Paralympics. He was also selected Tournament MVP of the 2002 and 2006 World Championships.

In 2003, Top End, a wheelchair manufacturer, named a line of sports wheelchairs after him, the Paul Schulte Signature Series.

In addition to collegiate wheelchair basketball, Paul also played on the Dallas Mavericks Wheelchair team. He was named the National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s MVP in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Paul’s scholarship expired before he had completed his studies, so he went to work for a small firm in Irving that created robotics automation equipment. The firm was owned by Tim Criswell, another UT Arlington alumnus. Paul continued there after receiving a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in the summer of 2005, but Top End offered him a design engineer position in 2006 and he accepted.

During the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, Paul was a player/coach for the U.S.A. men’s team. They were eliminated in double overtime by Canada, who they had defeated the last three times the teams had met. Paul said it was disappointing and painful, especially since he fouled out in the fourth period.

Paul is back in Florida now, crafting custom-designed wheelchairs and looking forward to the 2012 Paralympics. He’s also busy with the Paul Schulte Foundation, an organization devoted to providing inspiration and support for youngsters with disabilities. More information on Paul’s activities is available at www.paulschulte.com.

We asked Paul for his thoughts on being an alumnus and remembrances of his time at the College of Engineering:

What do you think it means to be a Maverick and how does it apply to you?
To me, it remains is a great source of pride to have my name associated with UT Arlington and its MAE Department.  I still think fondly of my time with my instructors and advisers.  I take very seriously my responsibility to represent my Alma Mater through my designs and my accomplishments.  I take pride in informing individuals of the quality and tradition of the MAE program and what it has come to mean to me.  

What do you know about UT Arlington that others may not?
I feel most strongly with regards to the faculty.  I experienced firsthand the pride that my professors took in their curriculum and programs.  I understand the principle that the quality of the results largely has to do with the effort a student puts forth.  These results, in my case, were multiplied as the faculty went the extra mile for me, and I will be forever grateful.

What was your most memorable event during your time here?
Graduation.  A time to reflect on the growth and knowledge gained.  The closing of a chapter in my life and the beginning of an exciting new one.

What lessons of life have you learned before or since then?
A quote I have embraced:  “Wisdom is the insight gained from personal experience.”
My thoughts:  Our most receptive windows for growth seem to accompany the personal experiences that are of greatest discomfort.  And that a respectable portion of happiness lies in enduring these times of discomfort for the benefit of others.

What do you hope your legacy will be, both personally and professionally?
It is my goal that some day it will be written: 
Paul Schulte is a qualified role-model in family, faith, sport, and career.  He focused on the things that matter most, and gave his best in his commitments to each of these.