Dear friends, alumni, parents, and players:
As May comes to an end we are reminded how short the spring college rugby season is. We fell short in our goal for a 7s national bid and for a 5th consecutive Beast of the East Championship, but the lessons learned will help prepare us for next year.
Rugby in the Northeast continues to grow and become more competitive with the passing of each season. Our success rests not only on the dedication of the players but on the support from parents and alumni.
This summer we have two great events which you and your families can be apart of:
July 29th is the Annual Pig Roast here at the Campus. Festivities generally begin Friday evening with a welcome reception at our sponsor, the Old Towne Tavern, followed by a match between the young and the wise on Saturday at 1, and capped off with a Pig Roast in the afternoon.
August 11th is our first annual Golf Outing at Easton County Club in Easton, MA.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/friends-of-umass-rugby-inaugural-golf-tournament-tickets-34317805480(Copy and paste the link to Register)
This tournament has been the work of Tom McCarthy and Greg Buchanan, both parents of current players. Through their work and vision we have set up our own non-profit to which all proceeds from this and future events will go. The hope is to create a fund which will supplement the school’s ever shrinking budget and cover costs for our growing travel expenses and tournament fees.
Feel free to reach out to either Tom, tmccarthy216@hotmail.com, or Greg, Gbuchanan@mfs.com, with ideas or suggestions, and most importantly, how you can volunteer.
For returning players: preseason will begin Monday August 28th and will end with a home game against UNH on September 2nd. We are then on to AIC September 9th and will open our Liberty Conference play at Fairfield on the 16th. As champions of the Development Cup, the freshmen squad has been promoted to the Challenge Cup and will join the NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference); they will open the season at Wesleyan on the 16th as well.
For guys looking to play rugby this summer please contact me and I will put you in touch with the club closest to you. Summer rugby can make a huge impact and can separate you from the pack quickly.
Lastly, I wanted to remind us all, that as we plan for the future, we cannot forget where we came from and those that have helped us get here along the way. Dillinger Perez, a sophomore, passed away this spring and I’m reminded that one of the hardest things about losing a friend and loved one early on in life, is realizing all that they will miss. Life is short, so make the most of it and make living a productive, engaged, and meaningful life your goal and good things will come. Have a great summer, take care, and we will see you real soon.
Phil and Tony
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