Olympic Club resurgence highlights post-RSL strategy

The Olympic Club’s bid for this weekend’s Division 1 championship highlights an ex-Super League team’s alternative approach to top-class domestic rugby.

After several forgettable seasons, the San Francisco outfit left RSL following the 2005 campaign, in order to focus on a ‘club experience’ and competing in Northern California. ‘O Club’ immediately reached the national quarterfinals in 2006 and will finish at least one level higher this year.

‘Our fortunes all changed when we pulled out…. [The Super League] was a hard sell to the club and the players, whereas now we train, travel, and play as one club trying to be the premier club in Northern California and on the West coast, which is something our guys can really get behind,’ according to coach Ray Lehner.

Now comprising 18 of the country’s more successful and administratively capable teams, the Super League has been designated America’s top competition by USA Rugby, which wants to aggregate leading players into a single league for comparative (i.e., national team) purposes. But particularly as RSL uses a franchise system rather ‘promotion-relegation,’ it’s never been clear that the nationalized structure is stronger than some regions, notably Southern and Northern California.

Further, some RSL clubs are finding that necessity of spending $100,000 and more each year solely on its first team has worked to the detriment of their overall health. Even Belmont Shore, the Super League’s most successful team, found it necessary this year to put more emphasis on its second-grade unit.

Along with Mike Strain, former 7s Eagle Kevin Barth, and Paul Limbrey, Lehner values recruiting graduating college players, greater numbers at training to promote more intense sessions, and seeking out top competition to supplement a highly credible local schedule. In other words, focus on inputs, rather than the fixture list as well as the promise of future commercialization.

Do these things well and national honors for the team and its players will take care of themselves, says the former Cal All-American, Oxford Blue, and 38-cap prop, who attributes “most of what I know about the craft of coaching” to his time working with Jack Clark and Tom Billups at Cal.

‘The nay-sayers predicted we would lose all quality players and recruits to the other local RSL club, Golden Gate.  We did lose some recruits for one season but we have gained many more since, even some players who originally left us to complete in the Super League with [Golden Gate],’ Lehner says.

Skippered by Andrew Armstrong and featuring discarded Eagle backrowers Tony Petruzzella and Kort Schubert, O Club tackles the Austin (Texas) Blacks in one semifinal, while the Cincinnati Wolfhounds meet Northern California’s Hayward in the other. In the Super League final, Belmont plays the Chicago Lions.

Comments

[Flynn]

"it’s never been clear that the nationalized structure is stronger than some regions, notably Southern and Northern California."

Having played in NorCal, it's bloody well clear to me.

[Ed Schram, Sr.]

Congrats to Ray Lehner and O Club. An other Cal Bear making a contribution to the game.

Ed Schram, Sr.

[Robert Futch]

Why was third comment from this morning deleted. Was it due to the uncomplimentary remarks towards the O Club?

[realist]

Robert, like you, I saw the phantom 3rd comment from BEAR posted last night, before it was removed.
Where did it go? and why?

Clearly there is a zero tolerance policy on this blog for anything anti Cal/O'Club. That post was mild compared to the postings promoting the Xenophobic foreigner bashing agenda tolerated on this blogsite in the past.
That anti foreigner stuff isn't tolerated anywhere else in society. Kurt, do you intend to tidy those posts up too?

[ARMCHAIRBOMBER]

Now I'm interested in what the comment was from BEAR? Was it profanity laced? Why remove posts?

On a related subject, after seeing all the rugby this weekend we need to agree that the US domestic game is no place for real international players to hone their skills. The standard of rugby played was good club / social standard and no more. While its exciting for the participants and their supporters it was no place to find international level players and definitely no place to bring sponsors and ask them for seed money.

As far as Eagles (present and ex) on the field no one stood out to my eye as Tier B international caliber. I've watched club games in New Zealand and South Africa where for whatever reason an interantional (or borderline guy) was to play for their club on a given weekend. In every instance said player was easy to spot as more dynamic, more aggresive, more skilled than anyone else on the pitch. That was not the case over the weekend.

The positives were that OMBAC ran a great club event and the clubs represented themselves well. As for US aspirations headed to the World Cup I'm not so sure.

[Hugoagogo]

The posting by BEAR, gave reference to the OC and Cal ties. I read it – it was real.

The language was fine and there was nothing incorrect in the statements used. So why was it removed?

That kind of selective editing gives rise to the conspiracy theorists. And I agree with Realist on this one, you allow racial comments to go unchecked. While any comments against OC or Cal are deleted in the middle of the night.

[Not a Big deal]

I read it as well. It challenged the OClub to play rugby on the field and not to read the hype. It may have made some of the OC guys a little uncomfortable, but I looked at it as nothing more than playground taunts.

[Kurt Oeler]

The post, by bear@bearrugby.com, was by someone who did not provide a valid email. I insist on that much (but not full names) in order to encourage accountability for one's statements. As always, 'Bear' is welcome to republish under a valid address.

As we have been through this before, I am no longer in the habit of posting notice of removals, unless many people are violating the stated policy. This sort of housekeeping is an unpleasant aspect of Gainline.us, and is why I try to say 'thanks' when a particularly lively thread doesn't require intervention.

k

[Ray Lehner]

As if writing an academic paper, I will state my bias here, at the outset. I played and coached at Cal, Tom Billups and I have been teammates, roommates and close friends over the last 16 years, and I am the Head Coach of the Olympic Club Rugby Team. I shall do my best to address some of the comments and inherent misconceptions, but apologize if I digress topic and or change topic without proper segue.

Kurt's write up about the Olympic Club was really about one club's strategy for life after the "not so" Super League. We are trying to do something different, special, and what is right for us and our players. We wish to create a vibrant and competitive rugby club experience, and we do not see the Super League as the most effective way of doing so. I imagine many an RSL club would have read the story and begrudgingly or otherwise have to acknowledge that the RSL strains financial and player resources and works against creating a unified club atmosphere.

IF there is a tie between Cal and the Olympic Club, why does the conspiracy card get thrown around? Don't all clubs wish to model themselves after successful programs? Shouldn't all clubs seek to recruit the best and the brightest college players available, I certainly make no apology for this.

Once again, I think there is a matter of confusion over what it means to be racist and what it means to be xenophobic. Race is a concept that dates back to exploration, imperialsim and colonization, and is primarily focused on skin color. Xenophobia is the fear of all things foreign or on this blog, fear of foreigners. I have never seen a racist comment on gainline, but have seen and posted xenophobic commentary.

Once again, I make no apologies for the belief that an American should coach Americans, where a player and coach can find common ground in their athletic backgrounds and experiences. This is a unique experience and cannot be compared with a Swede coaching the English Soccer Team. Its a culture clash between the way the "craft of coaching" developed in our mass spectator sports versus the commonwealth's.

The "craft of coaching" is American; in Europe they are called managers. This is about managing activities versus coaching detail. Any trained chimpanzee can throw out some cones and balls and say have at lads! To witness the craft of coaching go to your local high school and watch a football or basketball practice. The O-line coach spends hours every week at every training observing, fixing, barking instructions about how to get into a proper 3 point stance, pass protection, run block or how to shoot a free throw. It involves direct instruction, attention to detail, accountability to technical standards, as well as performance goals and expectations.

Now is there room for qualified foreign coaches in the United States and even on the current staff....sure, I have worked and played with a few in my day. Unfortunately, the majority of my experience, in our domestic competitions; college and club and even with the National Team is that many a fraudulent antipodean arrives in America with an accent and a different colored passport and everyone immediately defers to these said coaches as the final authority on all matters rugby.

I take exception to the notion that "nobody stood out as an international level player at this weekends competition". During my career, I was fortunate to play seasons of competitive rugby on three continents and I can assure you that Kort Shubert would compete for a starting spot at any club anywhere in the world, and hopefully there were some National Team selectors present who would agree.

Finally, I commend Kurt Oeler for offering this forum and would like to see more of you "armchair-scrummagers" and "cyber-flyhalfs" sign off using your real and full name so that perhaps your bias can be known.

Cheers,

Ray Lehner
Head Coach, Olympic Club Rugby

[realist]

Xenophobia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Xenophobia is a fear or contempt of foreigners or strangers.[1] It comes from the Greek words ξένος (xenos), meaning "foreigner," "stranger," and φόβος (phobos), meaning "fear." The term is typically used to describe fear or dislike of foreigners or in general of people different from one's self.

The Ray Lehner definitions taken directly from Lehners post:
"Xenophobia is the fear of all things foreign or on this blog, fear of foreigners. I have never seen a racist comment on gainline, but have seen and posted xenophobic commentary."

Ray Lehner’s Xenophobic postings display not only a fear of foreigners and the impact foreigners have on the US game; Ray Lehners “xenophobic commentary” goes even further, to an agenda of dislike & contempt for foreigners (Wikipedia [1]).

The obvious prejudice towards foreigners is transparent & undeniable. Ray Lehner, by his own public admission, has written “xenophobic commentary” publicly on this gainline.us website.
He’s even defined exactly and given examples of his anti-foreigner bias in attempt to justify this “xenophobic commentary”. (justifying prejudice is the root of racism too)

Even a cone-fetching chimpanzee wouldn't have rested so many starting players for the semi-final game. Ray Lehner’s actions clearly demonstrated that he underestimated and lacked respect for Austin.
Then he yanked the O’Club’s #1 goal kicker
and passed-up a kickable chance for points from 35m out,
in front of the posts,
with the wind at the kickers back,
with 5 minutes to play,
to lock the score up.
He had no faith in his second string kicker?
did I mention he yanked the first string kicker from the game?
The “craft of coaching” – otherwise known as a rookie mistake.
Basic rugby math, take the 3, tie the score. (or is that just European Scoreboard Management?)
Score again in the remaining 5 minutes or play extra time. (silly chimp)

Let us all be grateful that these rookie-for-life mistakes were on the O'Club watch, in a club game. If the Xenophobes had their way, we would have Ray Lehner as an “American coaching Americans”, as our Eagles coach right now. Fortunately, wiser heads prevailed and we instead employed a highly respected, tested, veteran coach & CEO with international experience. Thorburn and Melville steadied the ship and lead US rugby out of the Billups quitting, potential player coup situation-fiasco and thru to the RWC qualifying. Thankfully, allowing enough time for Ray Lehner to publicly expose his bias and agenda and disqualify himself from consideration for any future national positions. (and his scissor-lift privileges have most certainly been revoked)

In the post-season, Ray Lehner should give a call to Imus, Mel Gibson & Michael Richards, hit some golf balls together off the ladies tees while boasting about the trophy for third place in the B division (division 1 below the Super League) of the American club game.

The O’Club failure in the San Diego playoffs has lead to Ray Lehner venting out his misplaced justifications & publicly airing out his socially unacceptable beliefs and deficiencies as a person first, coach second. Losing has been a clear acid test of character or “not so super” character.
We really should ask if Ray Lehner has any other socially undesirable traits, bias or phobias that his players, students, and students’ parents should know about.

[phil]

It appears Ray Lehner has the guts to put his name to his remarks, unlike you Realist.

Now I can understand why not using ones name is attractive, but I think with the 'man bonus points' of using his real identity with his opinions, its Lehner in a land-side over the reserved Mr Realist.

Go USA,
Phil

[Sean Roy]

Realist - Kurt Oeler has presented us all with a forum to share ideas, thoughts and opinions about the sport we all love; let’s keep the banter about improving the rugby and stay away from the mud-slinging.

*You have different opinions about the RSL or how we should incorporate foreign-talent in to USA Rugby? Great; we all would love to see you actually express them.

*Your club is better than The Olympic Club? Awesome for you and your club that you all have been able exceed The OC on your organization's barometer of success.

*You don't want Ray coaching your team or your country? You think he mismanaged the games on the weekend? Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about his performances.

Now, while everyone is entitled to their opinion, everyone is not entitled to slander the name of another person by calling him a racist, labeling his beliefs unacceptable, and\or unjustly calling his character into question.

Knowing Ray as an opponent, a coach and a person I feel comfortable questioning most of his politics, some of his beliefs about the role over-seas talent should play in USA Rugby and also to “Monday-Morning QB” his game-day decisions...but what I will never do is question his character and neither should you.

In fact, under "Irony" in your source of choice, Wikipedia, we should Copy and Paste the anonymous personal attack you just blogged. If you are the “Realist” you profess to be than you would recognize it is you and your statements (to both Kurt and Ray) that actually illustrate the absence of character.

Let's keep it about the rugby moving forward.

Sean Roy

[Hugoagogo]

Enough with the crap already!

You guys sound like well educated men. If you want to write essays – do it somewhere else, or buy a soap box and head down to the steps of the local city hall.

I’m tired of the perceived anti Cal group, and of hearing the responses and justifications associated with it. I’m sick and tired of hearing coaches attacking each other. I feel ashamed as an American, that some people still have deep seated racial or bigotry feelings. There is no place in rugby for any of that – everyone is equal, no matter what color you are, no matter where you come from and no matter who you prey too. (there are a lot of others – but I can’t be bothered listing them, and this isn’t my fight)

I ask you rugby gentlemen to back off each other personally. You can agree to disagree over the American coach v Foreign coach issue – but leave the anti foreigner comments out, so you can focus on the real issue at stake, the rugby. And the forward progression of USA Rugby, following the RWC in France.

It is clear, that Coach Thorburn will not be resigning a contract to continue coaching the USA Eagles. Obviously, there is going to be some stirring within the perceived top level coaches in the USA today. Top runners would have to be Adam Friend and Marty Wiggins. After that – it’s a cat fight. But I wouldn’t be surprised if USA Rugby sought the services of another offshore – proven, international level, and highly successful coach.

[Andrew]

To "Realist":

To address your comments regarding Ray Lehner and his coaching ability, he is one of the finest coaches in American rugby and the Olympic Club is damn grateful to have him.

Before I rant too far off base, congratulations are due to the Austin Blacks as they played with a lot of heart and earned their victory against us. Nothing should be taken away from their accomplishment as they have a great program and fought for 80 minutes against us.

With regards to the lineup selected that day, to a man our club will agree that the players selected were more than capable of getting the job done. It was our execution that failed us, not the pattern or the selections.

To your point about the opportunity to take points with ~5 minutes left, that was my decision on the field, not Coach Lehner's. Slam the decision if you want to, I would make the same one if I were in the position again. Our lineout had been pretty succesful that day if you hadn't noticed, and I saw a chance to take the lead.

Since I joined the club in 2004, Ray Lehner has been the principle reason for the Olympic Club having the success to be in the national spotlight at all. Your perception of his coaching ability, although 100% off base in my opinion, is your right. Your other comments about his character do not merit a response. I would echo my coaches challenge to you to submit your real name so that your bias might be known as well.

Andrew Armstrong
Olympic Club Rugby

[Andrew]

To "Realist":

To address your comments regarding Ray Lehner and his coaching ability, he is one of the finest coaches in American rugby and the Olympic Club is damn grateful to have him.

Before I rant too far off base, congratulations are due to the Austin Blacks as they played with a lot of heart and earned their victory against us. Nothing should be taken away from their accomplishment as they have a great program and fought for 80 minutes against us.

With regards to the lineup selected that day, to a man our club will agree that the players selected were more than capable of getting the job done. It was our execution that failed us, not the pattern or the selections.

To your point about the opportunity to take points with ~5 minutes left, that was my decision on the field, not Coach Lehner's. Slam the decision if you want to, I would make the same one if I were in the position again. Our lineout had been pretty succesful that day if you hadn't noticed, and I saw a chance to take the lead.

Since I joined the club in 2004, Ray Lehner has been the principle reason for the Olympic Club having the success to be in the national spotlight at all. Your perception of his coaching ability, although 100% off base in my opinion, is your right. Your other comments about his character do not merit a response. I would echo my coaches challenge to you to submit your real name so that your bias might be known as well.

Andrew Armstrong
Olympic Club Rugby

[Alan Petty]

Realist who is not real enough to use his real name, and co.

I have to disagree with the criticims of Ray Lehner and in fact think that some of his points are well taken. (for my full discloser I am a former coach of the Olympic Club) Ray has played rugby in at least 3 other nations, been repeatedly capped under several different coaches, so if he feels that the offshore way of doing things is not the most conducive to in the USA, he has experience to support his point.

It is sad, that the response to his post just used a straw man argument to compare him to Mel Gibson and Michael Richards, instead of using data. I have seen several offshore coaches that did a great job coaching or teaching Americans. Specifially George Hook and Eddie O Sullivan come to mind from my personal experience. Conversely I have seen American coaches that were organized, structured though horrific.

Alan Petty

[Jake Mitchell]

One must reminisce to the CAL / Air Force game where a similar number of starters (7) were not in the lineup for the semi.

[Ray Lehner]

(Sur)realist,

I thought I was clear in my explanation. My xenophobia is grounded in my overall negative experiences with bad foreign coaches. Based on these experiences I maintain the general opinion that Americans should be coached by an American rugby man and specifically the US National Team. I also mention that I have known a few foreign coaches who have done a great job, and of course those individuals have a role as well. I have never minced my words on this matter and I stand behind all of the things I have said and posted. As to your comments about my coaching, selecting and manging my team during this last weekends' championships, you mock what you don't understand.

I enjoy this site for the lively discussion threads that develop and I would gladly engage you in a debate about the "contribution" (and consequences) of your beloved foreign coaches but only after an accurate and full disclosure on your part. What is it that you are hiding from? Have you taken exception to my commentary because you are in fact one of the "fraudulent antipodean coaches" I am referring to? Perhaps you wish to hide behind the veil of anonymity because after this World Cup the winds that drive USA Rugby will shift directions and you are fearful of being sidelined for your views? I think you marginalize yourself by hiding behind a pseudonym. Stop "whispering" speak up, stand and be counted!

Cheers,

Ray Lehner

[Go The Eagles]

I agree with Coach Lehner's assesment that there are many forigen coaches over here that are useless. However I've always equated funny talker coaches coaching rugby in this country is like an american coaching gridiron in another country.

I've learned a lot from Non-American coaches, more so than American Coaches. So my expierence has been the opposite of what you have described.

That being said how many coaches with several international caps are coaching division 1 mens rugby? Thats not an American trait its a personal trait of the coach.

Maybe things are diffrent on the East Coast than they are on the West Coast.

[realist]

On any given Sunday most NFL games that go into overtime are the result of a coach taking a field goal or point after to tie the game up.
The O’Club captain says he’d make the same decision again not to kick for points.
That’s where a rookie mistake is compounded into a rookie-for-life mistake.

What would have been IRONIC would have been to see the O’Club coach,
send the previously yanked first choice kicker,
to run the kicking tee out to the second choice kicker,
for the most important kick of the year,
before the punt was put into touch for the failed lineout drive.

The Petty post is balanced and lists foreigners who have made a positive contribution and references that he has seen inadequacies in American coaches as well as foreign. Clearly Petty judges on coaching merit rather than pre-judging using Lehners passport color method of coach evaluation.

Sean Roy wrote about Lehner “I feel comfortable questioning most of his politics, some of his beliefs about the role over-seas talent should play in USA Rugby and also to “Monday-Morning QB” his game-day decisions...” That’s clearly not a glowing endorsement. Roy uses 3 very different disclaimers and distances himself from Lehner before considering the questioning of character out of line.

Armstrong only confirms that the O’Club under-estimated Austin and defiantly defends his 3rd place choices. It is not rational to expect different outcomes from the same decisions in the future.

The 1st amendment protects Lehners right to free speech. Former O’Club coach Petty, captain Armstrong and past-captain Roy all agree that Ray Lehner has the experience to form an opinion. None of these men go so far as to agree or align themselves with the message & agenda of Lehners Xenophobic commentary. It is what is NOT said that is far more significant.

Thanks to “Go the eagles” for saying it straight-up “I've learned a lot from Non-American coaches, more so than American Coaches. So my expierence has been the opposite of what you have described.” In reference to Lehners xenophobic commentary.

A screen name, by design, is intended to promote debate on the issues rather than to lose sight of the issues and just attack the author personally. If we wanted to make it personal we’d schedule a meeting.

I seriously doubt there is anyone who is in full agreement with the agenda promoted thru Lehners xenophobic commentary. If anyone does, please do use your full name. The rest of us in mainstream society consider it unacceptable to promote bias & prejudice on the basis of skin color, race, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation or nationality, in any forum.

[NCRFU]

No further replies to realist please!

It is a crime to read all you accomplished rugby men replying to a cyber-rugger.

Let him have his say, debate is not possible.

His 'post count' is no doubt higher than his lifetime tackle count.

[Gary]

Looks like realist tackled every issue on and off the pitch.
You might want to schedule a hearing with the NCRFU coz he spear tackled you Olympic Club guys a new one.

[Antipodes]

End the Debate? What Debate?

All you fine upstanding rugby people should read very carefully what Realist is saying. The points he has made, and has taken the time to cut and paste individuals responses to prove his points. No one has disclaimed his points – infact they have been verified by your own responses.

I’ll admit – I had to look that Xenophobia word up in the dictionary – and again, factually realist is correct. And yet Coach Lehner later admits to it – and stands by his core values.

Imagine if Coach Lehner was given a national position – knowing he had admitted to being a Xenophobe. Hercus, Eloff, Crick, Mexted, Nese, Mate, Erskine, Williams – are funny talkers. Are they part of Lehner’s Xenophobic equation? What about Friend, Wiggins, LeClerc, and Thompson – they’re funny talkers too? Or have these players and coaches been given the Lehner stamp of approval.

No, No, No – in order to be a top level coach, capable running an equal opportunity program, you need to bring more to the table than just being a Xenophobe.

If you OC/Blues (Cal Alumni BTW) want to run silent – have at it. And while you’re sitting there basking in the glory of a 3rd place finish – consider this: How is the Olympic Club’s Woman’s, High School or Youth teams doing? That’s right – you don’t have one – none of them. Your club recruits from other programs.

OC had more caps on the field on the weekend than the Canadian NA4 sides. You were loaded with former Collegiate All Stars – but you didn’t get the result. Why? Because you have a club that is run and controlled, in a totally political way. You had no foreigners on the field as far as I saw. And your coach is an admitted Xenophobe.

Wouldn’t you, the players want – just in case the ideas work, exposure to the latest overseas coaching techniques? Aren’t you, the players, getting tired of being labeled as pro or anti some political factions? And aren’t you, the players getting tired of having to come to your coaches rescue, when he makes open letter comments in public. Especially on matters arising from a premature posting, on how good the Olympic Club was, and why. Hinting to a famous OC win in the Division I, and how it all came about. The editor put the commentators curse on you.

And next time Andrew – as Sir Clive always says, “take the points!” But I’ll give you points for showing you had nads big enough to make that call.

[xenu34567]

As far as you could tell, there were no foreigners? How did you make this determination? Were you trying to detect accents on the rugby pitch or were you watching the game? I surmise you were doing neither.

The Olympic Club has at minimum, 1 Irish player, 4 English players, and 1 New Zealander, and all play a hefty amount. Yeah, their coach must really hate them. I suppose he also hates his assistant coach, who is Australian. Get a life people.

They didn't win, but they will learn from this loss and will come back with a vengeance next year.

[Silverhawk]

OC might have better luck if they enter in a Womens competition. The amount of crying they are doing on Gainline/OC/Cal forum.

[Andrew]

There is plenty that I would love to say in response, but I have nothing to gain from debating those who insist on hiding behind their aliases.

Don't you see the irony in challenging players to respond to your personal attacks when you lack the courage to even put your name at the end of a posting?

[John]

I think it is funny (irony here) that what I perceive as Anti-OC blogs will argue that Coach Lehner is a racist and bigot (which he is not) out of one side of their mouth, but feel no shame in degrading women out of the other side. Nice work Ironhawk!!

[Carl Hansen]

“If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools.”…Kipling’s words were never more poignant. I must admit that I am a relative new-comer to this website/blog and admittedly speak from a narrow historical scope. That being said, I can’t imagine that when Mr. Oeler first envisioned this website and how its simple utility could be put to use to create a platform for those amongst us that care deeply about this game of rugby, to speak freely and without fear of rebuke, that he had in mind the support of such incendiary and unsupported rhetoric as the drivel that REALIST has put forward.

Any simpleton could surmise that Ray Lehner’s use of the term “xenophobic” was only in relation to his opinion that US National Teams might be better suited, whether because of unwritten but subconsciously understood coaching triggers or out of pure national patriotism, to being coached by a home grown personality. Let me reiterate…his “opinion” (which there seem to be no shortage of on this site). Ray’s use of the term xenophobic should only be considered in this limited scope. I know Ray too well, and I know too many people who think very highly of Ray as a person and a coach to list the reasons why any other interpretation of his use of the word xenophobic is not only ridiculous but out and out libelous. I guarantee you that the foreigners on our team, the foreigners in Ray’s circle of friends, and the foreigners within the Ray’s vast rugby network who truly know him (not just know him from what they read on blogs like these), would agree with me.

REALIST, it is readily apparent that your only intention behind posting these comments is to incite. You are an agent provocateur…a false flag. There really is no room in open public debate for people like you. All you do is provoke off topic rebuttals and inane juvenile commentary (see Gary’s post). Nowhere in your rant did you come close to making a constructive point. Instead, like so many anonymous wall-sitters before you, you simply stand in the shadows and sling arrows at the doers of deeds. Rather than girding your loins and joining the fray, you whip the masses into a tumult and delight in the simple chaos.

As for the comments that were actually directed at the OC’s level of rugby, state of the team, and our progress within the US club system, I let our record speak for itself. There is no argument that we fell short of our intended goal this year. To that there is not a man amongst us that would not own up. But let it also be said that the building of a club and its culture is like life, a long journey for which the beginning is the first step. I think it is readily apparent that we have taken more than a few steps on this journey, and I invite the constructive and the thoughtful among you to join us in our progress. To the anonymous naysayer, rabel-rousers, and cowards amongst us, I don’t think there is much else I can say. Logic, reason and constructive criticism flow by you like so much water off a ducks back.

Carl Hansen

[gary]

Carl your post was better than niquil.

Against Austin, you got behind, & couldn't get up, coming from behind left you bent over like downstairs Debbie.

[Ed Schram, Sr.]

Ray Lehner is a long-time personal friend and has been a member of several rugby teams at several levels of the game with whom I have been involved.

RE: Ray Lehner the rugby man -

No one who knows Ray Lehner can justifiably denigrate his understanding of the game or his committment and contribution to rugby. Both the outright and veiled attempts to do that in several of the blogs under this article are unfounded at best and ignorant at worst.

RE: Ray Lehner's position on National Team Coach -

I happen to disagree with Ray's stance on the nationality of the National Team Coach. I suspect all of us know of those who are entrenched on each side of that "issue." It's been around as long as the Eagles and not likely to go away.

RE: Ray Lehner "the xenophobic" -

Ray's admission to being xenophoic is based entirely on his "fear" of an Eagle Head Coach being someone born in a country other than the USA. OK, so that's the degree of his "guilt." Seems to me, the degree of vitriolic bashing that Ray has taken for that admission is a tad unwarrented and overstated, given the extent of and likely consequences of such guilt. Even considering all of his talents and credentials, Ray isn't, any time soon, going to be called to Boulder to chair the selection of the next Eagle Coach. (My disagreement with Ray's stance aside, it might not be a bad idea for Boulder to give him a call for some input.)

Ray Lehner has many foreign-born ex-teammates on several teams,continents and levels of rugby. Ray Lehner has coached many foreign-born players at several levels on several continents. Of those men I know, there is not one among them who would label Ray xenophobic.

RE: Those of you who spew anger, spite, and disrespect in this site, and then hide behind an alias -

Quit hiding. Stand-up and identify yourself. No one will think you a coward, as there is no "ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain" in this site.

If not, then simply go away. You seldom add anything to the understanding or resolution of any of the important issues at hand. Go make a difference.

Ed Schram, Sr.

[rcsvjy xcgd]

mzdfxa gwrqtpc bisqupjhx mvjkquiwh wcaupex vguq xmdg

[ktsfl cvhrp]

axrojvf xfdwasubh pjieybtcl jxrobpclf tsnufejli ezwi rtvwsu http://www.msckb.buxznesf.com

[credit cards refinancing student loans]

Good site. Thank you!!!
http://www12.asphost4free.com/bestone/student-credit-cards/student-bad-credit-cards-loans-checking-accounts.html student bad credit cards loans checking accounts
http://www12.asphost4free.com/bestone/student-credit-cards/mbna-college-student-credit-cards.html mbna college student credit cards
http://www12.asphost4free.com/bestone/student-credit-cards/credit-cards-refinancing-student-loans.html credit cards refinancing student loans
http://www12.asphost4free.com/bestone/student-credit-cards/student-credit-cards-with-college-logos.html student credit cards with college logos
http://www12.asphost4free.com/bestone/student-credit-cards/best-student-credit-cards.html best student credit cards
http://www12.asphost4free.com/bestone/student-credit-cards/low-rate-credit-cards-for-college-student.html low rate credit cards for college student
http://www12.asphost4free.com/bestone/student-credit-cards/college-credit-card-student-credit-cards-for-bad-credit.html college credit card student credit cards for bad credit
http://www12.asphost4free.com/bestone/student-credit-cards/college-student-visa-credit-cards.html college student visa credit cards
http://www12.asphost4free.com/bestone/student-credit-cards/high-school-student-credit-cards.html high school student credit cards
http://www12.asphost4free.com/bestone/student-credit-cards/easy-to-get-student-credit-cards-online-credit-card.html easy to get student credit cards online credit card

[phentermine]

Very good site. Thanks!
http://phentermine1.forum24.se phentermine

[refinance home mortgage]

Very good site. Thanks.
http://hometown.aol.com/maraa242/refinance/index.html home mortgage refinance loan

[delta airlines]

Good site. Thank you!
http://hometown.aol.com/maraa242/delta/ delta airlines

[federal consolidation student loan]

Good site. Thanks!!!
http://www12.asphost4free.com/top101/consolidation/federal-consolidation-student-loan.html federal consolidation student loan
http://www12.asphost4free.com/top101/consolidation/federal-student-loan-consolidation-program.html federal student loan consolidation program
http://www12.asphost4free.com/top101/consolidation/federal-government-student-loan-consolidation.html federal government student loan consolidation
http://www12.asphost4free.com/top101/consolidation/federal-direct-student-loan-consolidation.html federal direct student loan consolidation
http://www12.asphost4free.com/top101/consolidation/federal-student-consolidation-loan.html federal student consolidation loan

[hydrocodone acetaminophen]

Very good site. Thank you!
http://www.horos.ru/forum/templates/subSilver/images/lang_english/functions/hydrocodone_vicodine.htm hydrocodone 10mg

[soma bike]

Good site. Thank you!!!
http://www.amigosonline.hostmidia.com.br/forum/templates/subSilver/images/lang_english/functions/soma.htm purchase soma

[Gaman]

Good site! Thanks.[URL=http://dogrocketshoes.dreamstation.com]credit card[/URL]

[jc penney]

http://jc-pennys.blogspot.com/ jc penney

[preeniScunc]

There was a college student trying to earn some pocket money by
going from house to house offering to do odd jobs. He explained this to
a man who answered one door.
"How much will you charge to paint my porch?" asked the man.
"Forty dollars."
"Fine" said the man, and gave the student the paint and brushes.
Three hours later the paint-splattered lad knocked on the door again.
"All done!", he says, and collects his money. "By the way," the student says,
"That's not a Porsche, it's a Ferrari."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://blurty.com/users/robbiesteelegk

[coach handbags]

Being unhappy is like an infectious disease.
It causes people to shrink away from the sufferer.
He soon finds himself alone,miserable and embittered.
There is,however,a cure so simple as to seem,at first glance,ridiculous;if you don't feel happy,pretend to be!