Player reunions on tap as the 2010 season approaches seem much the same as they've ever been.
Higher-profile gatherings aim at renewing old ties and are styled as affordable for participants, with organizers arranging to reduce the cost of accommodations or tickets. Past Eagles will be at the USA 7s on February 13-14 in Las Vegas, led by former managers Ed Schram and Mike DeJong, while military players are getting together for the Ft. Lauderdale Ruggerfest at the end of the month, some with hopes of competing.
The intrinsic value is renewed friendships, one another's company. Such characteristics suggest that American rugby's bonds continue to be personal, rather than institutional.
In turn, this indicates that inter-generational connections are weak and insufficient to drive organizational goals such as fundraising. USARFU no longer regularly honors past Eagle teams at test matches, for instance, and the union's plans for a giving program have dropped from sight following Mike Mahan's departing the board of directors. Nor have senior clubs been strong in connecting reunions to raising money.
Building on scholastic and university tradition, however, some of the many high school and college teams that stage alumni functions are recasting their efforts so as to benefit current squads. Lamorinda, a San Francisco Bay Area youth club that counts Eagle Mike MacDonald among its famous sons, is staging a 'challenge match' on February 13 with a view to building a database of its 30 years of graduates.
You fools and your little reunions. The only reunion that matters is the All Black reunions.
Posted by: KR | 11 January 2010 at 15:12
KR
Is that the All Black reunion where you chug a beer and the first one to choke wins?
91 - Campese choke
95 - Mandela choke
99 - French choke part 1
03 - Latham choke
07 - French choke part 2
11 - Boy would I love to see you wankers choke on home soil!
Posted by: Jack Sparrow | 11 January 2010 at 16:04
Anyone notice how rugbymag.com of late appears to be one cross-sell after another for the USA Sevens?
It's like picking up a copy of one of those Robert Kennedy fitness magazine (like Muscle and Fitness), where every 2nd page is a cross-sell for one of their other publications, or a supplement,
but the disclosure that they own it is buried in the mouseprint... if at all.
Posted by: Mouseprint | 11 January 2010 at 20:00
Yea, it's a bit overkill sometimes. Everyone who goes to rugbymag are big time rugby fans. They should know that if we have the means to go, we will go. A bunch of fluff articles aren't necessary to convince us that the biggest rugby tourney in America held in Vegas will be a fun time.
Anyone notice that the message posts for each article have completely died off? That means either people are too lazy to sign up for an account or that it was really just a couple of posters and they are too lazy to sign up for multiple.
Posted by: Rugbymagazine | 11 January 2010 at 20:13
I was too lazy to sign up.
Posted by: AP | 11 January 2010 at 20:33
Goof on rugby is garbage
Posted by: Jack Sparrow | 12 January 2010 at 06:13
Bill Millard, attack coach of Cardiff shares some insight on www.ruggamatrixusa.com
i know it is a shameless plug, but he is pretty good. he used to coach sydney uni, aussie 7's, and the melbourne rebels in australia's ARC
Posted by: Bruce McLane | 12 January 2010 at 09:43
This is one of the reasons why no one really follows the Eagles any more. No one knows anyone associated with the team or union, all foreign guys, right?
In the past Eagles got into matches free, which wasn't really an incentive to attend as much as a nod of respect.
No way I would ever donate to USAR, not even a small donation. But I do give to both my college team and to youth rugby.
I have also donated to the US rugby foundation and their work with youth rugby, but would just never give to these foreign guys. How much is the CEO making again, I heard $275,000 and same for the Eagles coach.
Posted by: former Eagles | 12 January 2010 at 11:04
The All Chokes meme is so tiresome? Can't they ever just lose? Can't they ever simply run into a better team?
Granted, blowing that lead in 1999 was a pretty epic choke. Most of the rest were just losses.
Posted by: My Dinner With Andre The Giant | 16 January 2010 at 13:16
Hmmm...not sure why that first sentence had a question mark. I guess I choked.
Posted by: My Dinner With Andre The Giant | 16 January 2010 at 13:17