UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION
April, 2005
Murderball Madness Thunders Into Louisville
| PHOTOS |
By John Ershek
Lights…camera…action…it
was quite a weekend in
Louisville,
Kentucky
from April 21st through
April 25th,
2005.
Murderball took center stage on screen
and live at the Broadbent Arena. Media people from all over the
country flocked to the see the thrill in L’Ville. THINKFilm, ESPN,
Premiere Magazine, the Boston Globe, Jewish Hospital Media Services, the
Louisville-Courier Journal and WHAS ABC-TV all contributed to the biggest
media frenzy ever for a USQRA National Championship tournament.
A
special thanks to Jill Farmer, the tournament host, for a great event. She
did a great job once again, with the airport, host hotel and playing venue
all located within 5 minutes of each another.
Quiet on the set …On Wednesday, April 20th, members of the United States Quad Rugby Association began to arrive in Louisville for the Division I and Division II National Championships, and the league’s Annual General Meeting. There was quite a buzz this year surrounding the anticipation of the upcoming media events. This is like a family reunion every season as 16 teams from all over the country converge to have a grand ‘ole time. But this year, the buzz was over Murderball. With a highly successful documentary about the sport bringing new attention to mainstream audiences, and with ESPN considering a possible X Games event, this tournament promised to be like no other nationals before it.
Thursday was spent picking up players, referees, support staff and media people from the airport. This was being done as the Annual General Meeting took place at the Executive West Hotel. The AGM is not the most exciting event at nationals, but it is certainly one of the most important as the future of the league is discussed and proposals are voted on that have a direct impact on the growth and success of the sport. The international classification system, zero tolerance misconduct policy and a new post season eligibility exemption were adopted. New Board members are Jason Regier and Ed Hooper. A coaches meeting followed that set the tone for play starting the next day. Cut and print.
And action…Friday Division I play began with Texas Stampeding the Kentucky TNT 57-23. The camera crews were everywhere but one in particular was focused on the Stampede’s defense of their national title from the year before. Steve McCarthy and his crew were in to shoot this piece for ESPN’s Timeless program. Steve was quoted as saying, “Of the hundreds of stories I’ve done in my career, this was one of my favorites. This is a sure fit for the X Games.” Texas also had no problem with the Denver Harlequins, winning by ten. They seemed destined to reach another final.
Who would be their opponent? The three main contenders were the Lakeshore Demolition, Hoveround Lightning and Phoenix Heat. Which team would want it the most and execute the best? Lakeshore had no problem with the Portland Pounders 44-34, but survived a close call with the San Diego Bushwackers 39-37. Hoveround squeaked out a one point win against a surprisingly strong Denver team, and then beat Kentucky by fifteen. Phoenix beat San Diego by five, then Portland by twenty. It was still up for grabs.
David and his crew were shooting Game, EPK and B-Roll footage for ESPN. There were interviews taking place. Cameramen and soundmen crouched courtside and aimed cameras up close and personal at each team huddle. This was truly exciting. It was almost as much fun watching the cameramen shooting all the action, almost.
Division II play looked to be Justin Patterson and the California Quake against the field. The Quake won easily over Pittsburgh and Pasadena. The U of A Wildchairs, Tampa Generals, Sharp Edge and Magee Eagles all looked to have the best chance of being in the final, too. The Chicago Bears and Brian Muniz showed that the Heartland Section is no pushover, upsetting U of A only to lose in overtime to the Edge. Joe Soares and Tampa went undefeated on day one against the Pasadena Texans and Pittsburgh Steelwheelers. Magee, led by Adam Bencsik, beat Sharp and U of A, and looked like they could be the one to make it to the final against California.
The day at the gym ended with the last game being played at one end of the arena, and Premiere magazine photographs being taken of Team USA by Brent Humphreys of (where else) Austin, Texas, on the other. The story is being written by Tim Swanson, who is going to link the USQRA website to the article for Premiere Magazine.
Time for the dailies…Friday evening was the award social. This was the other big event everyone was waiting for. A free ticket to the Murderball documentary and a chance to see Team USA hate Joe Soares both on screen and in person. But first the banquet room was evacuated as a tornado was touching down less than a mile away at the airport. As if this type of extra excitement was needed. When everyone got back to their tables, Jill Farmer started out thanking sponsors. Dr. Kraft, the Director of SCI, Brain Injury and Neuro Psychology at Frazier Rehab Institute, welcomed everyone. Yours truly was the Master of Ceremonies. ESPN was filming the event. Photographs were being taken as Team USA was introduced first to a thunderous applause. Chris Cook and John Bishop were inducted into the Hall of fame. Jane Thomas won the Spirit of Achievement award and Norm Lyduch won the Athlete of the Year. Amanda Sherwin and David Fenkel of THINKFilm were introduced and thanked for their generosity for providing the film for this private screening and the reaction to the movie from the players, coaches and quad rugby fans was quite enthusiastic. Everyone’s excitement about the film was evident the rest of the weekend.
And…action…Saturday morning was a return to the task at hand, playing murderball, not watching it on the big screen. Filming was still going on allover the gym. The morning play in Division I went according to seed. Texas beat a game Hoveround team, 30-27. Lakeshore beat Phoenix, 35-32 to set up the crossover games. Texas then beat Phoenix, 33-28 and Lakeshore beat Hoveround, 32-27 to set up the final. Gumbie versus Orr. Zupan and Lyduch versus Kirkland and Lujano. All behind the scene Team USA subplots. This had to be the story ESPN was looking for.
Division II play saw California continue its dominance, beating Tampa and U of A. U of A made it to the crossover game beating Sharp. Magee beat Chicago to meet Tampa in the other crossover game. U of A was no match for California, falling 40-33. Tampa could not find an answer for Magee, and lost 33-30. It would be California versus Magee for the DII title on Sunday.
Premiere Magazine had another photo shoot. This time it was with Joe Soares and Mark Zupan only.
That night, Thunder Over Louisville took place as over one million dollars worth of fireworks were detonated on the river. This is the explosive opening to the Kentucky Derby festivities each year. While great, it failed to rival the fireworks display going on inside Broadbent Arena.
Action…Sunday finally arrived. Pressure mounted as each team had one last opportunity to show their stuff. The DI under card saw Portland’s Lynn Nelson and Will Groulx beat TNT’s Wayne Romero and Eddie Crouch, 52-42. Thor Johansson and his Denver teammates beat an Albert Moscana and Sam Gloor led Bushwackers, 38-36. Scott Hogsett, Andy Cohn and Brad Dubberly carried Phoenix to a 35-33 win over Hoveround, anchored by the play of Pat O’Conner.
Sharp and Dan McCauley won 42-23 over Bob Eyler’s Pittsburgh team. Steve Kearley and the Texans beat Chicago, 38-37. Then Tampa beat Mike Cottingham’s Wildchairs 38-34.The only two games left were the DII and DI finals. The tension mounted.
Early on the Division II final looked like it might be a blowout, but Magee kept the pressure on and made it respectable while losing to the Quake 38-35. Justin Patterson and Adam Bencsik both look to be future Team USA players. Congratulations to California.
We were finally down to the last act. With the exception of a few teams, most people got the final they wanted. I am sure that ESPN did too. Lakeshore built an early lead and led by three at one time. Hits were fast and big. A late flurry before halftime by Texas changed all that.
The score was tied at halftime 20-20. What a story this would make. It was tied again at the end of the third period. The pressure continued to mount. Then, thanks to a great goal line deflection of a Zupan to Collins pass by Kirkland with only seconds remaining; it was tied again at the end of regulation. Hollywood could not have scripted a better final. In a game that either team deserved to win, it would be Texas in overtime by one, 42-41. I am sure there were plenty of collective sighs by ESPN.
Who says the sequel can’t be as good as the original, Gumbie, Zupan, Collins, Boothby and Lyduch had done it again. Congratulations, Texas.
Lights dimmed…cameras rolled to a halt…as the action ceased…Sunday night is always the big rugby family reunion party. Liquor was consumed (just ask Gumbie), cards were played (see Tampa) and lies were told (see Ershek). The only thing that doesn’t take place on Sunday night following the Nationals is sleep. Nick Springer was seen around, but unfortunately, his father Gary had to fly out in the afternoon. In the morning, everyone was gone. That’s it until next season. Murderball the movie opens nationwide July 8th. We all live the sport every day.
Special thanks go out to all of the sponsors who made this event such a success, as well as to Jill Farmer and crew for hosting. Without your generous commitments of time and money, our sport would not be as competitive or successful as it is today.
Cut and print…that’s a wrap.
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