Emerick wraps up standout career

Paul Emerick, among the best of America's international backs, has concluded his playing career.

The news comes as the United States opens camp for a pair of World Cup qualifiers against Canada, beginning next weekend in Charleston, South Carolina. Emerick, who injured his ankle last November against Romania and subsequently missed this spring's Pacific Nations Cup, no longer features in the USA's test plans.

Energetic and versatile, the 6'0", 210-pounder scored 17 tries in 54 internationals over 10 years and 3 World Cups. Now 33, Emerick also played parts of 8 seasons for the 7s Eagles, figuring in America's rise on the 7s World Series at the end of the last decade.

Last summer, as he earned Silver Eagle status, I made these observations:

With tomorrow's start against Georgia, Paul Emerick becomes the first back to play 50 times for the United States.

Featuring 15 test tries and 3 World Cups, Emerick's international log includes matches at either midfield position, on both wings, and at fullback. Since 2001, he has been tapped by six US coaches plus a cluster of 7s Eagles head men. Vaea Anitoni and Mark Williams are among the few with comparable resumes.

Abroad, he has lined up for Ireland's Ulster, Wales' Dragons, a pair of Italian clubs, and, this past winter, England's Wasps. Not many foreigners break into the Premiership. Emerick did it at age 32, a powerful signal he is still worth his salt.

As an Iowa high schooler, Emerick earned first-team all-state honors at linebacker and also reached wrestling's championship semfinals, no mean feat in one of America's grappling hotbeds. Going on to the University of Northern Iowa, he was singled out by Jack Clark for 2001 All-American honors, joining an Ireland tour squad that also blooded Kimball Kjar and Matt Wyatt plus 7s Eagle Matt Huckaby.

In 2002, Emerick debuted at the international level, replacing another up-and-comer, David Fee, in USA A's 24-8 loss to touring Scotland. A year later, by which time Emerick had linked up with the Chicago Lions, his first cap came against Spain, as a substitute for Link Wilfley.

But in an era of domestic representative play, when competition for the national team roster was more transparent and robust, Emerick was no sure thing. After time on the sidelines, his next two games were on the wing; it wasn't until the fall's World Cup that Tom Billups decided he was ready for a starting place at 15; and by 2004 he was already out of job, through combination of injury and the emergence of Francois Viljoen.

So Emerick, with another All-American teammate, Salesi Sika, moved into midfield, joining Albert Tuipolotu as mainstays of the 2004 and 2005 campaigns. Simultaneously, he signed his first professional contract, with Italy's Amatori Catania.

In 2006 and 2007, Peter Thorburn generally preferred the now-veteran Emerick at wing. Named to his second World Cup in 2007, he was yellow carded against England for a spear (or tip) tackle, and subsequently suspended for the rest of the tournament.

Playing for Scott Johnson in 2008, he returned to outside center, where he also spent most of his time under Eddie O'Sullivan through the 2011 World Cup, his third world championship. But against Canada in 2009, he was again cited for dangerous play, in an incident that threatened to end his first-class career.

Such transgressions made him a liability for the team, and indeed, he was never likely to be remembered as America's most elegant outside back. To say that he cleaned up his act, however, infers he was once a dirty player. In fact Emerick's is a naturally rambunctious style, and a reminder that coaching helps smooth players' rough edges and otherwise better contribute to the team framework.

Long after establishing himself as an USA regular and European pro, Emerick wanted to compete for the 7s Eagles. Therein lies the genius of his career. Some players achieve distinction by becoming the best they can be. Emerick belongs more to that category of athletes who relish testing themselves against the best possible opposition, and in earning that right, themselves become great.

Comments

[thanks to Paul]

top ten Eagles of all-time

[Seeing Red]

...in getting carded.

[thanks to Paul]

yep he got a few cards. many for the same lift and tip tackle. hard to take the wrestler take-down out of an athlete. but still, in the top ten.

[Go Eagles]

Thanks to Paul - Name your Top Ten All Time Eagles!

[East]

Dan Lyle, Kevin Swords, Brian Hightower, Luke Gross, Todd Clever, Mark Williams, Vae Anatoni (sp?), "Z", Kevin Swiryn, Hodges. I am sure there are others I left out that belong in. But that's my quick 30-second list.

[East]

Okay, maybe Emerick too. So that's eleven.

[East]

And I forgot Chris Wyles. So that's 12. This isn't easy.

[East]

And it also occurred to me that perhaps there are guys who would make a list called the "top ten rugby players to be an eagle", which would be maybe a different list in part than Top 10 Eagles. Guys on the former list could arguably include guys like David Nui and Seta Tulivuku. But I named my list based primarily on their work in an Eagles jersey and what they did for Eagles rugby.

[Go Eagles]

East=poor list. Anyone else?

[East]

All right, I'll ask. Go Eagles, who do you have on your list?

[USA Rugby was legit before 1996]

Lippert and Higgins made appearances on Barbarians. Leversee may have been first to play as a pro in Italy and Natal. Vizard, Billups, Hein deserve mention. Not sure about Swiryn and Hightower on your list...

[wish I was a little bit taller...]

I'd say Hightower made about as much of an impact as David Fee...

[East]

Okay, okay, I hear you. Hightower and Swiryn are dubious choices. But they generated debate and that's always fun. As far as the older generations, yes, I only picked Swords from the 80s. Here is my thinking on that as someone who started playing as a teenager in the mid 80s. Sure, you heard about the Eagles players, and compared to today, they played a lot more domestic rugby than the eagles of today. So you saw them and knew who they were. On the other hand, there was almost no media coverage of USA rugby back then so to see these guys play you had to see them live or, sometimes, play against them. Plus rugby back then wasn't what it is today, and the truth is that the guys playing in the pro area are just better. They start playing younger and those that play pro get much better by doing that. Maybe it is unfair to do a cross era comparison, but I took all that into account. In other words, if I were selecting a team to play next Saturday, would I rather have Swiryn in his prime or Hein in his prime? I'd take Swiryn personally. Also, this got me to thinking that there can be all kinds of reasonable disagreement over the top ten, but to me it seems that the top 2 would be less debatable - Dan Lyle and Ngwenya.

[old board]

Hightower in the top 40, not top ten. Same for Swiryn.

Williams is a good call, add long time French pro Willie Jefferson.

Craig Sweeney.

[stranded in pburgh]

Can you really put Z in the top ten? He's lightning fast, but the first half, at least, of his career was a defensive nightmare.

How can nobody have mentioned Anetoni(sp?)? Or maybe the spelling is why.

[East]

Yep, I mentioned him. Spelling. See my list.

[Rugby Sage]

Below is direct from ESPNscrum.

-------------
"We know how hard it is to play against Canada, they're a great team," Melville added. "We're so close in so many ways and the results have been closer and closer over the years. No doubt this will be close; hopefully it will be in our favour."

Speaking earlier this year, Canada captain Aaron Carpenter spoke of his excitement about the showdown. "USA are the team we play the most so we know each other very well," he explained. "When that happens, the atmosphere around the games changes and it often comes down to who wants it more and who is willing to put their bodies on the line."
-------------

Nigel sounds like a man content with defeat, while the Canadian Captain is spot on. The question for Eagle fans is cut and dry. Both teams are pretty much equal in talent and experience. Each side has equal number of pro players and young talent wanting to break out with the national team. Can Mike "Excuse Machine" Tolkin, who stated after the Tonga game “I can’t, and the coaching staff can't, generate the feelings of passion”, or Todd "Look at me!" Clever motivate our boys to put their body on the line?

I think not. It appears that Tolkin and his staff did not create the appropriate culture within the squad, which was apparent this summer during the Eagles 0-5 run. Clever's "Captain America" no longer works with the this fan or apparently with the squad. Surely the pros from Europe are not buying it and those new to squad surely see through his trite facade.

Net-Net the darkest days of Eagles' rugby may be in our future thanks to Dumb and Dumber.

[RKPeatross]

Richard Tardits? Bueller?

[Boner Bear]

How can you guys leave one cap wonder Jack Clark off the list!

[LOL]

That's a bit classless "Boner". JC had a couple of US caps and a World XV start before being riddled with bullets in his early 20's.

[+1]

+1

[Ha ha! He only got one more than me.]

Unlike some people on Gainline, I don't think there is anything wrong with pointing out that other people aren't cutting it, even if the person pointing that out is totally inferior to the person in question. Some people on Gainline seem to think that only successful NFL QBs have any business holding the opinion that Ryan Leaf wasn't much of an NFL QB.

That said, I really hate the "one cap wonder" slur. I mean, the guy got a cap. That's a big deal. I wish I'd had the ability to have earned one. Whatever his reasons for not getting more (getting shot, career or family priorities, someone else being better) shouldn't actually be fuel for dumping on a guy.

[Flynn Hagerty]

RIP Dave Sitton.

Also, has nobody mentioned Kevin Dalzell yet?

[Go Eagles]

Shocked and saddened to hear the news about Dave Sitton. What a great rugby guy.

[Grumpy rugger]

Gary Lambert deserves mention certainly.

[AZrugger]

At first my mind registered Gary Lane, but then got it right. That's when I became sad.

[Army Rugger]

When all is said and done there are very few people who bleed Red, White, and Blue like Paul Emerick. I think what is missing is the passion and pride of playing for our Country. When you watch the Irish at Landsdowne and they sing "Ireland, my Ireland" you can feel the emotion along with the English "God save the Queen" or Scotland's "Scotland the Brave". If wearing the US jersey and playing an International match representing our Country is just another game to you then you should go play elsewhere. I want these guys to bleed Red, White, and Blue! Be a total Junkyard Dog out there! Put that Hatorade in your heart and have at them! I want them to remember that there are many Military Ruggers out there who thank God each time they come home safely and are able to see their Families and Friends again and to be able to Play On! Seize the Day Gentlemen! Make it yours!

[RIP Dave]

Sad day to hear about Sitton. Great guy. Always affable.

[C'mon man]

Fact is most of you posting have no idea of what it takes to compete on the intl level cuz you've never done it nor do I.

I think the US does the best they can with what they've got both coaches and players. Too many of our best athletes pursue mainstream sports leaving very little talent for rugby. So we have to build a team from cast off foreigners and late comers.

I would guess Canada gets a few more athletes at an earlier age with a more mature youth program but thats only speculation. Shame OUR team doesn't get more support from US. It's like the war, even if don't support the leaders ie Melville and his crew, you should support the troops.

[Rugby in the USA is a mugs game.]

Many of the Eagles are from Pacific Island families that root for Tonga, Samoa, Fiji in private. Eagles are a ticket to a pro contract and some great experiences (i.e. travel, big tournaments, make new friends, etc). There is no financial or emotional payday like there is playing for the national team in a rugby nation. Regardless of how hard Emerick played or how proud he was to wear the jersey, he is just a 30 something guy with no well paid prospects from rugby (coaching, media, etc) and whatever he pursues professionally will not be easier because he is a national icon from playing rugby.

[Go Eagles]

Top Ten All Time Eagles, not in order:

Gary Hein
Gary Lambert
Dan Lyle
Kevin Higgins
Paul Emerick
Mike MacDonald
Tom Billups
Alec Parker
Mike Purcell
Kevin Swords/Brian Vizard (tie)

[Army Rugger]

You should always wear our Country's colors with the greatest amount of pride. If there are players on the National Team who don't adhere to this standard or philosophy then Coach Tolkin should jettison their ass and find someone else who will play with American passion. I don't support this Administration, but I will always support the players who don the Red, White, and Blue. I hope they realize what an honor it is to be selected to represent the USA. As far as playing to the International standard come on down to Ft Benning, Ft Bragg, Camp LeJeune, or Camp Pendelton and we'll show you how we "play" to the "International standard" not on the Pitch, but in the Field of Battle...

[Rugby in the USA is a mugs game.]

Yo! GI Jackass. This is a rugby blog not a fist pumpfest for jar heads. Go play with your guns somewhere else.

[C'mon man]

I doubt Tolkin and his staff would tolerate anyone who doesn't appreciate wearing the jersey. Cancer players never last long at that level bc no one is that good.

[C'mon man]

@army

Same mentality different venue. You fight for your country with pride whether on the playing field or battle field. Just different odds at stake

[Army Rugger]

Got to absolutely love Internet Trolls...especially on this site...saying shit online that they would never in a million years have the balls to say to your face in public...

[Rugby in the USA is a mugs game.]

You have to love military guys that are in their mid to late 20s crying like babies because they can't play on their college team full of teenagers. Sign my petition... boo hoo.

[Sergeant Hulka]

I'm sure Army Rugger was speaking of the Melville Administration.

[Army Rugger]

So let me get this straight... a man or woman can go serve our Country for 3,4,5 or whatever amount of years get out and go to College and play an NCAA sport with no age restriction if their good enough, but you think it's ok to deny Veterans this ability to play a Club sport like Rugby? Wow, high speed, I really look forward to meeting you and people with your mindset in person...