Quadrophenia

You saw Murderball, the documentary on wheelchair rugby players; now see all the chair-rattling action in person, as the St. Louis Rugby Rams take on five other teams in the Crazy 8 Wheelchair Rugby Tournament this Saturday and Sunday (October 27 and 28) at the Overland Community Center (9225 Lackland Road, Overland; 314-286-1659). This six-team invitational features fifteen games over the course of two days (twelve on Saturday, three on Sunday), with competitors coming from as far afield as Atlanta just to get a chance to compete. The game itself combines the physical nature of rugby with football’s forward pass and the pure speed of wheelchair sprinters, all set on a basketball court and crammed into four eight-minute quarters played by four wheelchair-bound athletes of different physical capabilities. Games are won with a blend of brains and bravery, and it’s definitely not a sport for quitters. The tourney starts at 10 a.m. both days, and admission is free for spectators.
Sat., Oct. 27; Sun., Oct. 28, 2007