Quad Rugby Student Organization to host 16th annual Battle the Blitz on Oct. 1

Ohio University’s Quad Rugby Student Organization will hold its 16th annual Battle the Blitz Quad Rugby Tournament to raise money for the Ohio Buckeye Blitz, Ohio’s only semi-pro wheelchair rugby team. The games will take place on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Charles J. Ping Student Recreation Center.

“It is a great way for the public to interact, empathize and create memories with a group of individuals who have had to adjust their lives due to impairments that affect everyday living,” said Annissa Fee, marketing chair for the Quad Rugby 2022 Committee.

Ohio University’s Quad Rugby Student Organization was created to raise money for the Ohio Buckeye Blitz, as well as raise community awareness of quad rugby. Each year the organization hosts a pay-to-play tournament where participants compete against players from the Ohio Buckeye Blitz.

Adaptive equipment can be expensive, with a single wheelchair costing up to $7,000. However, through the help of sponsors, tournament participants, donations and various fundraiser events, the Ohio University’s Quad Rugby Student Organization is able to raise money for the team to help cover its travel and equipment expense.

The fee to participate is $25 per person, which includes participation with each player’s team in a 30-minute time slot against the Buckeye Blitz. Participants will also be given a t-shirt, although t-shirts will also be sold for $15 to those not participating. For those not able to attend, but still hope to support the Buckeye Blitz, they are encouraged to donate to the organization’s GoFundMe. Faculty will be given priority scheduling for games if requested.

The Quad Rugby Student Organization is encouraging people to share posts from the event on social media.

“It has been a fun experience being on the committee and preparing for the event and interacting with the team in a different way than we, as physical therapists, would in the clinic,” Fee said. “Getting to know the team on a deeper level and hearing their personal stories brings such a different light and perspective to how I may experience my future career, an experience not every clinician can say they had the opportunity to have.”

To register sign up here. For more information, click here.