Ten Westminster College students volunteered to assist with the ninth annual Steel City Slam Quad Rugby Tournament Nov. 13 at Slippery Rock University.

The service-learning project is part of the "Sociology of Disability" class taught by Dr. Kristenne Robison, Westminster assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice studies, and Corey Shaw, Westminster director of disability services.

Quad rugby is a sport for quadriplegic athletes who compete in wheelchairs.  The object of the game is to score a goal by crossing the goal line with possession of the ball while the opposing team is defending that goal. 

In addition to keeping score, running the shot and game clocks and penalty box, helping in the kitchen, and cleaning the floors after the tournament, the Westminster students were asked to make links between their observations from the tournament and their class readings and discussions.

Robison, who joined Westminster in 2009, earned an undergraduate degree from Baldwin-Wallace College, master's degrees from The Ohio State University and Syracuse University, and Ph.D. from Syracuse University.

Shaw, who has been with Westminster since 2008, earned undergraduate and master's degrees from the State University of New York-Oswego.

Contact Robison at (724) 946-6033 or email for additional information.

Front (l-r): 2010 Westminster graduate Dan Chesky, Jeannine Gillett, Gabby Defeo, Kaz Zippert. Back (l-r): Tyler Craig, Kali Nissen, Sarah Cristman, Nate Brandt, Alli Ward, tournament host Bob Eyler.

Quad rugby action