Tourney and fundraiser matches local teams against Columbus Buckeye Blitz wheelchair rugby players
Feb 11, 2010
From staff reports

Ohio University's School of Physical Therapy will host the third annual Four-Play! wheelchair rugby event Saturday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Grover Center gymnasium, E112. The event is a pay-to-play tournament with goals to raise money for sports equipment for athletes with quadriplegia and to give tournament participants a new view on diversity.

Quadriplegic rugby is a fast-paced sport that has gained popularity in part as a result of the 2005 Academy Award-nominated documentary "Murderball."

The tournament pits teams of community members and Ohio University students, staff and faculty against the quick-wheeling skills of the Columbus Buckeye Blitz, Ohio's only semi-professional quadriplegic wheelchair-rugby team.

Teams of four to six players can sign up for the 28 available spots for $75. The fee includes four T-shirts and 30 minutes of court time against three of the Blitz players. In addition, a raffle will be held the day of the event with prizes donated from local retailers, such as restaurant gift certificates.

Tournament organizers are seeking to raise $4,000, the cost of a reinforced rugby wheelchair, for the Columbus Buckeye Blitz.

To enter the tournament, participants can visit the signup table from noon to 1 p.m. on the first floor of Baker University Center on Feb. 10, 17 or 19, or in Grover Center on Feb. 15, 17, 23 and 25. Or they can contact event coordinator Erin Muck at 740-707-7260 or em236803@ohio.edu.  

Related Links:
Quad Rugby Web site

The Four-Play! wheelchair rugby event is in its third year. Coordinators hope to make $4,000 this year. In past years the event made $3,200.

Photo courtesy of: OHIO Quad Rugby