Gophers Look to SNAFU Rugby Tournament
This Saturday, April 8th, the Golden Gophers will head to North Dakota State University for the annual SNAFU Rugby 7's Tournament. This will be Minnesota's 2nd 7's tournament of the season, following on the heels of the Heart of America Rugby Tournament.
The Gophers' match schedule is as follows:
Minnesota vs. U of MN - Morris: 9:50 AM
Minnesota vs. UND B: 11:30 AM
Minnesota vs. NDSU: 1:20 PM
Semi Finals: 2:40 PM
Championchip Match: 3:20 PM
Please visit Gopher Rugby on Facebook for live updates.
Alumni Organization Releases Year in Review
To all alumni, boosters and fans:
2016 saw measurable improvements against each of the goals we aimed to accomplish.
The year began with the nomination of three new members to the Alumni Board: Chris Babiash, Jack Butterfield and Andrew Makredes, in addition to Brendan Bark and Walter Kaplan who were re-nominated.
The state of the program then was poor: we had no coach, Alumni Organization taxes had not been filed in 2 years, the board had no substantial funding (less than $2,000 on hand) and no plan of action for forward progress.
On Day 1 as a new board, goals for 2016 were set:
• Hire and be able to pay a coach
• Establish recurring / primary Alumni Organization events
• Establish a budget
• Launch a monthly membership program (The Excellence Fund) and enroll 30 members
• Be able to afford making the annual banquet free for current players.
We have accomplished every goal we set out for ourselves, with one small exception:
• Jimmy Hanson was hired, and his PAID contract has been extended for 3 years.
• Key events established: Winter Alumni Game + Banquet, and Golf Tournament
• Established a budget
• Launched a membership program, although we have NOT hit our goal of 30 members.
• Banquet is free for current players.
• New website launched
• Photo archive launched
• We have begun advertising on Google, targeting potential athletes / recruits
In 2017, the Alumni Organization's operating budget will be over $15,000
Our goals for this new year are simple: grow. The structures for success are in place - now we must work together to build upon them.
In 2017, we will
• Increase communication with the U of MN Sports Clubs Department
• Identify volunteers to serve on sub-committees
• Continue to improve communication with alumni and grow database
• Increase alumni attendance at alumni game and banquet
• Grow monthly giving program to 50 members.
During the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held this past January, these topics and more were discussed. Additionally, Walter Kaplan was nominated to the position of Communications Chair, leaving the Events Coordinator position open. If you have interest in being nominated, or if you have interest in assisting in any capacity, please let us know immediately.
Get Involved, Get Engaged
There is far too much work for our Alumni Board alone to accomplish – we need your help!
If you can give, give. Whether its $5, $25, $50 or more, your monthly tax-deductible membership is necessary for our program to grow. Set it and forget about it – until your yearly gift arrives.
And if you want to help, help.
We need volunteers to help manage events, collect product donations for the golf tournament, fund-raise, solicit sponsors, re-engage alumni and more. Do you have a skill? LET US KNOW! Look to Stephen “Beck” Sundquist, who has volunteered his web development skills to help improve our website, advertising and analytics. Everything helps, no matter how much (or little) time you’re able to commit.
Our next alumni meeting is Thursday, February 16th at 7 PM at Insight Brewery in Minneapolis and is open to all.
On behalf of your University of Minnesota Men’s Rugby Alumni Association, thank you for reading and as always: Ski U Mah
- President: Chris Babiash
- Vice President: Jack Butterfield
- Treasurer: Andrew Makredes
- Communications: Walter Kaplan
- At Large: Brendan Bark
Old Gold Attend Aspen Ruggerfest Tournament
This piece was written by Tom White, who worked with Tom Matkovits to organize this event
Good friends and good rugby always make for a great weekend. The 49th Annual Ruggerfest, held the second week-end in September in Aspen, was no exception. To add to the fun, a group of mid-eighties Rugby alums decided to enter as a team in the over-50 bracket.
Although the level of competition was several large steps beyond an old boys’ game – with two teams that recruit nationally and a Boulder team consisting of mostly 40 year olds also taking part in the over-50 bracket – the Minnesota Old Gold had their work cut out for them. Going 1-3, with their sole victory coming the old-fashioned way – via forfeit – the alums enjoyed their chance to play high level rugby with their college teammates one more time.
Playing for the team were Rob Mickelson, Tom White, Dan Dougherty, Kully Hauser, Bob Cote, Gregg Zike, Johnny Awe, Rich Meaux, John Glanton, Tod Storm, Dan Zimmer, Tom Foley, Derek Gordon and Pete Bronsted.
Wisely sitting out and cheering from the sideline were Jim Anderson, Mike Biwer, Dan Holehouse, Johnny Langmack, Bradd Olson, Bob Rykken and Tom Matkovits.
It’s hard to pick one or two players from among the crew for special recognition as everyone played so well, considering their advanced age and many infirmities. Let’s just say that Cote, Awe and Meaux brought their usual grittiness. Hauser and Tone were shockingly good. Zike, Mickelson and Dougherty were tough when it mattered. Stormy, Zimmer, Foley, Gordon and Bronsted ran like the wind, and Tom White had a great time.
The best part of the week-end was seeing old friends and hanging out with teammates that hadn’t been together for 30 or more years. Aspen is a fantastic tournament, and none of this group had ever been to this event. We highly recommend it, and are planning on returning next year if anyone is interested in joining us.