UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION
April 2003
Spokes Ableman Rises Again in
Phoenix
By Ed Hooper
"Hey Helmet Head,
where are the geniuses who thought Lakeshore finishing 4th at
Conveen was a good thing?” Asked my smart aleck friend Spokes Ableman.
“Does pissed off mean anything to anyone here?”
"Pissed about what?” I asked.
“Hello, finishing out of the money for the first time in umpteen years in Tampa. There was going to be hell to pay and you Lightning boys were in the right place at the wrong time.”
“Well, I’m convinced they would have taken any team apart that day,” I replied.
“Yah, you’re the only team that stayed within single digits of these guys all weekend – with their average winning margin being around 15 or 20. They busted the Quake in crossovers and just kept getting stronger going into Sunday. It’s like I was saying, they were pissed.”
“Well, once you’re down 5 or 6 to Lakeshore, the final score could be anything from 4 to 20, and it’s usually more because of their depth and pressure. They have 3 defenders on the floor who can cover your #1 guy one on one – and, of course, there’s Eddie who’s been the world’s best .5 for many years now.”
“Yeah, HH, but there
was more. They were out to prove something – sending
Wayne on his way
with 6 rings,
proving
they’re the best, that kind of stuff.
Did I mention that they were pissed?”
”Yes! I get it.”
“You know, HH, these international players are sure screwing up the league. I mean these one and two point games with OT, etc. have got to go. You’re destroying your home base, HH. You and your ilk, you’re traitors to your team, your community, and your country. You bastard!”
“Are you nuts, Ableman? What the heck are you talking about?”
“Don’t flip your helmet into the cheap seats, HH. I’m just kidding.
“Ok,” Spokes continued, “out of the top 12 teams, 8 had international players – 2 through 7 had international players. Take them out of the mix and Lakeshore mails it in, not that they really broke a sweat anyway. And clearly US teams see the value of the overall competition and don’t hate these guys. Mike Whitehead and Garrett Hickling were voted best of class and John Szintai won the sportsmanship award. Don’t you all think it’s time to just stop this witch-hunt and face the fact that you’re your own worst enemies? As the old saying goes, ‘Quad, heal thyself!’ – or something like that.”
“I wish we would officially drop all this nonsense too. Teams get international players for two reasons, survival, and to win – but not necessarily in that order,” I said.
“Ok, HH, you’ve prattled on too long about this international stuff. I have a serious question.”
“What?”
“What happened to Phoenix and Texas?”
“Well,
Phoenix
met a determined Quake team that controlled that game and knocked them
into unfamiliar territory, the bottom four in crossovers. After that, I
don’t think they much cared if they finished 5th or 6th.
“Texas, I think, felt they would beat Hoveround with Ronnie in there. Both Texas’ and our tournaments were on the line in that first game on Friday because Lakeshore was looming as the other pool game. Heck, we thought we’d see Pate. That’s who we prepared for. Turns out he wasn’t even in Phoenix. It was a good game. We were a little better that day.”
“Ok, HH, that’s way too much out of you,” as Spokes switched gears. “Tell me why D-II champs get more kudos than D-I champs, or for that matter, how do they get a BIG trophy while 4 through 8 in D-I get a tube of Bengay for their aches and pains?”
“D-II really works better in its own venue,” I responded, “but because of the AGM and the logistics and expense of doing two tournaments, they are done together. D-II is awesome and needs to be acknowledged and awarded. Plus, everyone expects Lakeshore to win so it’s big news only if they lose.”
Spokes continued, “One through six in D-II are a hair away from D-I, and with respect to my Chicago roots, the Windy City guys belonged in D-II, and obviously the Ruff Ryders should have been in D-I, but then it’s they who would have been rubbing in the Bengay rather than shinning their trophy. But those Garcias are awesome, aren’t they?. Are they related?”
“I don’t know, Spokes, but they sure can play the game. Gil’s been at it forever and richly deserved MVP,” I replied.
“Hey, take nothing
away from Portland (with best of class Will
Groulx and Chad Farrington) and Tampa (with best of class Bill
Renje and Scott Burrows), both teams had great games against the Ryders.
And someone
named
‘generals’ even scored after the tournament on the web site with his
9-point plan to make Phoenix’s tournament run better – bet that went over
like a big desert rock in Heat-land.”
“Would you please concentrate on the tournament, Spokes?“
“What? Have I been talking about the Grand Canyon or something?”
“No, but did you ever hear of scores?”
“HH, will you never learn? Scores are never the story of great tournaments, and if you subtract Lakeshore’s dominating performance – led again by MVP Cliff Chunn and company – you’d realize that this was one of the most competitive Nationals in years. It was a great tournament. There were 5 teams in D-I battling for the right to play Lakeshore and 6 teams fighting for the D-II title. It’s good stuff! Scores, smores.”
“Yes, but scores are
what drive the intensity games, and you’re here to discuss the games, not
to be shooting from the hip.”
“Well, you hired the wrong guy then, HH.”
“On a serious note, HH, I’m always amazed at the volunteers and sponsors that support you quad-a-holics. I mean, Coloplast - PVA - Hollister - Vesco Metal Craft
Eagle Sportschairs - Wheelchair Getaways - Sportaid - Spinergy - Rusch. And those are just the biggies. It’s all those smaller sponsors throughout the league for foodstuff and advertising, or just writing a check, or kicking in a t-shirt or trophy because they love the game and want to support these fantastic athletes. But maybe it’s the volunteers who really deserve the most praise. Joe Stanislawski and his volunteers were unbelievable. None of these tournaments or teams can operate without this dedicated group. Each team has those special people and we love ‘em.”
“Spokes, as a veteran, I’d like to say it was great to see Phoenix and the USQRA acknowledge and support our troops at such a difficult time.”
“You know, HH, this tournament proves that you quads have something very good going. You all can thank God that you have the ability to play this fantastic game. It’s time to put your pettiness and egos aside (good luck with that!) and work for the survival and growth of your sport. I hope you realize, before it’s too late, that you’re all in this together.
“Have a good summer!”
“You too, Spokes.”
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