LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Magee Eagles wheelchair rugby team fell a mere three points short in its quest to bring home its first ever national championship during the United States Quad Rugby Association (USQRA) Division II National Championships in Louisville on April 22-24.

Sponsored by Magee Rehabilitation Hospital and the Philadelphia Eagles, the Magee Eagles fell to the California Quake, 38-35, in the championship game. The team finished 4-1 during the weekend. They defeated the Sharp Edge, 43-25; University of Arizona Wildchairs, 41-39; Chicago Bears, 50-40; and the Tampa Generals, 33-30, en route to advancing to the championship game.

Adam Benscik of Plymouth Meeting, Pa., wearing Donovan McNabb’s No. 5, was named the MVP of the tournament while playing for the second-place Magee Eagles.

“While a great athlete like Adam helped the team make tremendous strides this season, our success is the result of the dedication and teamwork of every member of the team,” says head coach Tom Hamill, of Swedesboro, N.J., who also was re-elected commissioner of the USQRA.

Wheelchair rugby is an exciting contact sport played on a regulation basketball court. Four players per team are allowed on the court at one time. The goal is to move the ball down the court and cross the goal with possession of the ball when the first two wheels cross the goal line. Players may carry the ball, but must dribble or pass the ball within ten seconds. The sport and the lives of several players are explored in the award-winning documentary Murderball, set for theatrical release on July 8.

Other members of the team include Jim Thompson of Cherry Hill, N.J.; Dan Drach of Cheltenham, Pa.; Eric Anderson of South Philadelphia; Mike Nacci and A.J. Nanayakkara of Philadelphia; Everett Deibler of Lebanon, Pa., Keith Gilcrest of Middleton, Pa.; and Todd Collier of Montgomeryville, Md.

To earn their spot in the national championships, the Magee Eagles placed fourth at the Atlantic Region Sectionals in March. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Eagles, the Atlantic Sectionals were held at the Carousel House in Philadelphia.

Magee’s Night of Champions event raises money to support the Magee Eagles and the hospital’s other wheelchair sports teams in softball, basketball and tennis. The Fifth Annual Night of Champions will take place on Friday, May 13th, at 7 p.m. at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall on S. Columbus Blvd. in South Philadelphia. Tickets start at $125 with many sponsorship opportunities available. For more information, call (215) 587-3090.