UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

8/30/2000 

HUNGER IN THE HEARTLAND 
By Bob Jackson

There is a saying that states, "When the student is ready the teacher will appear," and so it was on August twenty-fourth when over twenty-five athletes gathered at Wright State University to participate in a Quad Rugby Clinic. Eight aspiring referees followed two days later, and two coaches came to learn how to improve their teams. The Heartland isn't known as a favorite vacation place, temperatures around the Great Lakes can be hot and humid in the summer and sub-zero in the winter, with double-digit winds. We don't have big mountains, canyons or oceans that attract skiers, surfers, or campers. Although, we have some pretty good college and professional sports teams, players are more attracted to the Heartland for a salary or an education in agriculture, medicine, engineering or religion than they are to our climate or social opportunities. In fact, we are more known for being the Corn or Bible Belt more than anything else.

So why then, would anyone want to travel to Dayton, Ohio, in the dog days of summer and spend four days at a nearly empty University, located amongst newly harvested cornfields, unless you were planning to register for school? The answer is simple. There is a hunger in the Heartland to learn more about Wheelchair Quad Rugby and to improve our level of play.

This hunger began in the Heartland in 1988 when Chicago and Minnesota, as two of the original teams, began the sport in this part of the country. It was appropriate for Brad Mikkelsen; the originator of the game, to fly in from Colorado to be joined by such highly skilled and experienced teachers like Reggie Richner and Troy McGuirk from California, and James Gumbert from Texas. It seems only fitting this long overdue clinic should come together in this way.

The early arrival of many participants filled with anticipation was the first indicator of an intense weekend ahead, as coach Reggie started things off by lecturing on the differences between the old recreational style of Rugby and the new competitive style. One would have thought he was speaking a foreign language as he explained how top winning teams understand how practices should NOT be used for playing rugby, but for learning teamwork, improving skills, perfecting role playing and how vitally important warm-up time and diet are. The first evening continued on after dinner as participants learned about key offensive and defensive strategies. One could sense a hunger to "put it on the court" as the day started coming to a close. Relief was in sight, as participants were divided into teams to try out what had been learned that day.

A stranger coming to the gym on the first full morning of the clinic would have thought a Championship game was going to be played. The energy level was high. Some seasoned players arrived early joined by newer players to mix it up before the days activities began. Clearly, teachers had already made their impact, few were late and all were hungry for more of what they experienced the day before. The second day began with the same warm-up routine, with coaches emphasizing how shoulders are blown, injuries happen, and how players will not be able to keep pace during a tournament, if proper warm-up and stretching isn't a regular part of every practice. This routine would be followed after each extended lecture or lunch-break throughout the weekend.

Mass drills followed, to help players learn particular skills, with focus on the need for drills to be designed to emphasize respect for your teammate, team work, patience, focus and timing with reminders that drills should be run just like in a tournament to assist players in learning to internalize their court sense. Lectures on different types of presses followed with teams from the previous day led by different coaches mixing it up against each other in two-quarter scrimmages to put it into practice. Throughout the day, interrupted only by lunch and an occasional water break, the learning continued, as we were reminded how vitally important water intake is during tournaments to keep muscle tissue pliable and to fend off dehydration. Another fine evening meal was served to end the day for some as they returned to their hotel rooms for a well-deserved rest. Some gluttons for punishment formed teams with coaches playing to extend the day. Even Mike Duda from North Carolina and Ginny Boydston of Mississippi, who had been busy assisting, got involved.

On Saturday morning as in the day before, there was additional evidence of hunger in the Heartland. More players arrived, who were unable to get time off from work, anxious to learn what they could. Conversations could be heard, as teammates worked with newcomers to get them up to speed on what was missed. New players could be seen during breaks working at rusty skills or inquiring about specific concerns of their game. Referees began to arrive and provided occasional input during breaks from their training sessions held in another part of the facility. Instead of fatigue, a new energy was developing as players; some of which had never played in an organized practice by skilled teachers before, began to realize they could go a lot further, and longer than they ever realized possible. One player was overheard to say, "I never thought it was possible for most quads to ever play on one of those big rugby teams, now I know that any quad can do it!" One can't help but wonder, even in this day and age, how many other potential players are out there who haven't even tried to play because they were conditioned to believe they couldn't. If the dedicated people that organized this clinic and the coaches who so unselfishly gave of their time and resources didn't get anything else from this experience, that simple comment should help you know why you must keep doing what you do.

The last day of the clinic started with a different tone. All that was learned in the past few days would be put to the test under game conditions, with coaches running the teams and referees calling the games. There were some early signs of fatigue setting in as an Ibuprofen bottle or two appeared, Richie Pedigo our ever present mechanic had arrived early and was working feverishly to get wheels repaired and chairs fixed in preparation of the day. A few bandages were applied to broken blisters and a hangover or two were evident, even though we had learned what alcohol and it's related effects and the lack of sleep can do to destroy a tournament for any team. Fortunately, there was only an isolated incident or two of this and the only harm done was to the individuals themselves in their performance on the court. Another good example of the difference between recreational rugby and competition rugby.

Activities began with players being assigned to teams. Games would be played in a playoff format with coaches altering assignments. Players took their positions at center court, nervous referee trainees received last directions from their instructors and the final games began. Judging by the intensity level, one would think Division II Nationals was being played. Coaches Reggie and Troy continued their teaching by demonstrating how to push a ref to a "T" without actually getting thrown out of the gym, and coaches Brad and Gumbie demonstrated how emotional the game can be, as they exchanged verbal pleasantries across the court as their teams battled for a win. At the end of competition nobody really cared who won or lost. But everybody agreed the "Hunger in the Heartland" was not yet satisfied.

Simple words are not enough to thank the many people that made this opportunity available in the Heartland. We thank the coaches, for their hard work and leadership, with a special message to Reggie and Troy and Team USA Rugby: as you pursue the Gold in Sydney, know the Heartland is with you in our hearts and prayers. Special thanks to Susan Updike and Heather Bishara, from Wright State University and Richie Pedigo from Tennessee for their hard work and dedication in providing transportation and assistance during the clinic. To Wright State University and their dedicated staff, we offer our deepest appreciation for the use of your facility and the many services provided. Without your cooperation, clinics such as this would not be possible. We are grateful. We especially want to recognize the members of USQRA Executive Board who worked to organize the weekend, and PVA for their assistance in funding this clinic.

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