In mid-March, two consecutive weekends yielded picture-perfect weather, yet as men swarmed the city, where were the women? Inside playing volleyball, of course.
Chicago MSA's Women's Volleyball League held a double-elimination playoff tournament over March 16th and 23rd and while outside temperatures were moderate to fair, the conditions in the gym were sweltering.
Upon entering the field house at Kilbourn Park (Addison and Kilbourn) one could immediately feel the electricity. Even teams that could barely win a game during the regular season were there giving 110%. Several of the matches went into rally scoring as unprecedented numbers of third games were played to determine which team would move on to the next level in the competition.
For a league that has seen exponential growth over its short four-year existence, expanding from 16 to 24 teams in one season alone, the strain was almost too much. As the day stretched on, the tournament fell further and further behind. Surprisingly even with long wait times and the tension that comes with playoff excitement, the players didn't seem deterred and most women seemed unharried as they bounded onto the courts once their match was called.
The championship matches didn't result in any major surprises, but the tournament itself had lots of upsets. In the recreation division the No. 1 seed, OUTskirts was bested by No. 4, Scot's, in the quarterfinals. OUTskirts was eliminated by second-to-last place team Doc's Jocks. Seeds two and three faced off in the championship match and the Independents (No. 2) were victorious.
No Spikes, the No. 5 seed in the intermediate division, made a great showing advancing all the way to the championship match, toppling No. 2, Flowers by Victor Wayne Miss Fits and No. 3, North End on their way. After five matches in one afternoon, No Spikes was unable to keep up the momentum and proved no match to first-place Spin who easily won the championship.
What's notable about the competitive division is that ironically the league coordinators faced off against each other in the championship match. Crane Chicago Realty Spikin' Dykes and the Rebels have been battling for first place since the league began. The Rebels held on to their title and remain the reining champions four years in a row.
Chicago MSA's Beach (4 on 4) Volleyball League will begin a ten-week season starting June 6. Registration is at Big Chicks Saturday, May 10 3:30 p.m. The league will feature a men's and women's division and plays on Friday nights. See www.chicagomsa.com .
Chicago Hoops Classic XIII—April 18-20
Chicago Hoops Classic (CHC) XIII tips off in Chicago April 18-20. In prior year's, CHC hosted 20-25 teams from across the United States. This year, 30-35 teams are expected from the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. More than 80 games of basketball and events featuring Miller products every night.
This year, CHC's focus is drawing new women's and international teams; as well luring back men 35 and older. A new '35 and over' division is now available in the men's bracket.
University of Illinois' Chicago plays host. UIC's adjacent downtown facilities, with six courts under one roof, allow for all the men's and women's games to be played at one location. An 'early arrival' party is scheduled at Berlin Thursday night. Friday night features team registration beginning at 9 p.m., Team Captain meeting at 10:30 and 'meet & greet', all located at The Rails/Prop House. The party moves on for late-night dancing at Manhole. Saturday night's party begins at Spin and moves on to Circuit for the late-nighters. Sunday features free admission to the championship games beginning at 2 p.m. at the UIC gym followed by the awards presentation at Annex III at 6 p.m. The weekend closes with a blow out party at Roscoe's.
Entering its 13th year CHC is the largest and longest running gay and lesbian annual basketball tournament in the world. See www.WCAA.net, chicagohoops@wcaa.net .
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
AIDS Marathon Training
Come spring, seasoned and novice runners will begin to prepare for a journey that may very well be the challenge of a lifetime. The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), in conjunction with Walk-The-Talk Productions, is bringing the National AIDS Marathon Training Program to Chicago.
See www.aidsmarathon.com or call (312) 765-0210.