Attention Wake Rugby Alumni

Wake Rugby Alumni-

The team is in the process of creating its own database of Wake Rugby Alumni email addresses and home addresses so as to eliminate the Alumni Office as a middleman in sending update letters and other mailings. The Alumni Office is extremely protective of email addresses and home addresses (which I guess is a good thing) so attempting to send anything to you is an enormous hassle, and, as we recently learned, in some cases impossible. Therefore, if you are a Wake Rugby Alum and would like us to add you to our database so as to keep getting updates from the team, please forward the following information to Wake Rugby Alumni Coordinator Critter Commins at commcj5@wfu.edu:

Name
Email Address
Mailing Address
Years Played

You can be assured that the team will use this information only for the purpose of keeping you informed of the goings-on of the team and to perhaps periodically send a small token of our appreciation for your continued support. For those of you who remain in contact with former teammates, please spread the word that we are collecting this information. Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.

Patrick Kane
Director of Men's Rugby
Wake Forest University

Three Teams Confirmed for Inaugural Wake Forest High School Rugby Showcase

Unionville High School (Unionville, PA), East Mecklenburg High School (Charlotte, NC), and the Derwood Stags (from Magruder High School in Rockville, MD) have all confirmed their participation in the inaugural Wake Forest High School Rugby Showcase. The event will take place the weekend of March 1-2, 2008 at Wake Forest University. We are hoping that the 4th team will be St. John's Prep from Boston, MA, the alma mater of current Wake players Matt Storck and Christian Jewett. However, administrative issues are holding up their confirmation.

The purpose of this event is to give some northern-based high school teams the opportunity to play some preseason rugby away from the snow, while also showcasing Wake Forest University and its rugby program to interested high school students.

The Wake Forest men's rugby team will play an exhibition match on March 1 against an opponent to be determined.

Club Sports Director Max Floyd Featured in Campus Newspaper

Max Floyd, Wake Forest University's Director of Club Sports, was featured in last week's edition of the Old Gold and Black. Max has been instrumental in helping the rugby team achieve unprecedented success over the past 4 years, and public acknowledgement of all he does for Wake Forest's non-varsity sports teams and recreational activity clubs was long overdue. The article can be accessed online here: http://ogb.wfu.edu/07/index.php?/ee/article/max_floyd_shares_goals_for_campus_rec/

Wake Falls to Clemson

Wake Forest lost to Clemson 29-10 on Friday night in Wake's final match of the season. Clemson jumped out to a big early lead as Wake shook off rust from a month layoff and tried to adjust to a pace much faster than they were used to. When Wake finally settled down, the scoreline was too great to overcome, but Wake showed well in playing Clemson evenly over the final 50 minutes. Wake's lone try was scored by sophomore wing Steve McMillen and converted by senior flyhalf Tyler Eure. Eure also slotted a long penalty goal to round out the scoring.

Wake now enters the offseason knowing they have alot of work to do if they hope to challenge for a playoff spot in their first foray into Division II. Wake will open play in the spring with a match against UGA in Athens on January 26. UGA will be looking to avenge a 49-25 drubbing at the hands of Wake in the fall of '06.

Message from David Hines

Wake Forest Rugby Team-

I am writing this email to let you know about my recent progress and also to thank you for everything you have done. As of yesterday, I have been sent home from the hospital, where I will continue to do physical and occupational therapy and will be an outpatient for chemo and radiation treatment. That’s awesome news because living in a hospital is pretty awful. There is still a really long way to go in terms of getting better, my balance is very poor and I need a cane or walker to get around (a hell of a lot better than not being able to move at all last week), plus we still need to fight the cancer, but all that can be overcome. My first goal (becoming an outpatient) has been reached, the pain is very manageable now, and things are really looking up.

It is very important to me that this team understands the role you are playing in my recovery. The jersey and cards you sent came at an extremely important time, when I was realizing that the only way out of that hospital was through really hard work, medicine can’t just make you any better. They hung on the wall and made me push myself as hard as I could to get out (which I did a full week faster than they though I would). I was in the hospital 2 days shy of a month and every single day I had cards, visitors, and gifts- most people who were in there got none of those things. It blows my mind that some of you even took the time to see me while I was in the hospital and I can't thank you all enough. I am very, very sure that the amount of support, thoughts, and prayers I received have been making a huge difference in my recovery and have kept my spirits high. I couldn't be more proud to be associated with Wake rugby- you guys are literally saving my life.

Enough thanking- I also follow how you do pretty closely. Turn some heads and beat the sh*t out of Clemson on Friday.

-Big Dave

Wake Ruggers lead NCRU All-Stars to 2nd Place Finish

The NCRU Men's Collegiate All-Star team finished 2nd at the South All-Star tournament in Clumbus, GA.

In its first match, NCRU defeated the Georgia Rugby Union 12-10. Four Wake ruggers started the match- Tyler Eure, flyhalf and captain, Michael Duffy, hooker, Christian Jewett, lock, and Timo Kawira, wing. Wake players Matt Storck, flanker, and Steve McMillen, wing, came on in the second half and helped the NCRU to a come from behind victory. Timo Kawira scored a first half try and the NCRU's second try was set up when Christian Jewett took the ball off the base of the ruck near midfield and went 20 meters before offloading to the NCRU #8 for a try between the posts with 3 minutes left in the match. That try knotted the score at 10 apiece and flyhalf Eure calmly slotted the conversion to give the NCRU the lead and the victory.

In the championship match the NCRU was beaten by the MidSouth 26-5. Once again all six Wake representatives played in the match.

Six Wake Ruggers Selected to NCRU All-Star Team

Six Wake Forest players were selected to the North Carolina Men's Collegiate All-Star team which will participate in the South Collegiate All-Star tournament this weekend in Columbus, GA. Leading the way was senior flyhalf Tyler Eure, who makes the team for the third consecutive year. Junior Timo Kawira (wing), sophomores Michael Duffy (hooker), Christian Jewett (lock), Steve McMillen (wing), and freshman Matt Storck (loose forward) all made the team for the first time. Additionally, Wake sophomores Ross Hilton (lock) and Kenton Forte (prop) were invited to and participated in the selection camps but did not make the travel squad.

The NCRU faces off against the Georgia Rugby Union at 10:45am on Saturday morning. The winner of this match faces the winner of Mid-South v. Palmetto in the tournament championship at 2:30pm, while the loser plays a consolation match against the Deep South at 4pm.

Spring Matrix Schedule Released

Wake Forest's Spring Matrix Schedule was released last week. This will be Wake's first official foray into Division II.

2/2: @ UNC-Wilmington
2/9: Appalachian State
2/16: East Carolina
2/23: @ North Carolina State

3/22: USARS D2 Quarterfinals
3/29-30: USARS D2 Final Four

Additionally, Wake will be playing a non-league warmup match on 1/26 and plans are in the works for Wake to host a small rugby tournament the weekend of March 1-2 with a four team high school division and a four team college division. Stay tuned for more info on these matches...

Wake Forest Rugby Invitational Cancelled

After 4 months without a drop of rain, the deluge of the past two days has forced the cancellation of the Wake Forest Rugby Invitational in Charlotte, NC. What would have been a fantastic display of collegiate rugby will have to wait until another, drier, day. Apologies to all who were looking forward to participating in or watching this event. Hopefully we can arrange a similar event in the not-too-distant future.

ASU replaces NCSU in Wake Forest Rugby Invitational

North Carolina State graciously informed us earlier this week that they would not be able to participate in the tournament in Charlotte this weekend. Luckily, Appalachian State was anxious to jump in and fill the void. The new schedule for the weekend is now:

9am: ASU A v. WFU A
10:30am: ECU A v. UNC A
12pm: ASU B v. WFU B
1:30pm: ECU B v. UNC B
3:00pm: Loser Game #1 v. Loser Game #2
4:30pm: Winner Game #1 v. Winner Game #2

Directions to the Skillbeck Athletic Grounds in Charlotte can be found at http://www.charlotterugby.com/directions.php.

Wake Rugby Family Get Together Scheduled for 10/26

Wake Rugby's 2nd annual Family Weekend "meet and greet" will take place on Friday, Oct. 26 beginning at 4:30pm at 1121 Barclay Terrace. This event was the brainchild of last year's club president Greg Wagner and is an opportunity for the players' families to mingle and meet the other players, parents, and coaching staff before heading out to dinner on Friday night. Drinks and light food will be provided. We hope all families can stop by for at least a bit. Any questions should be directed to Head Coach Barry Horewitch at horebg6@wfu.edu or Director of Rugby Patrick Kane at pmkane78@aol.com or 336.671.4600.

Wake Forest Ruggers to Coach NCRU U-23 Women's Select Side

Wake Forest senior Andrew Jessiman and junior Matt Gottbrecht have been selected to coach the NCRU U-23 Women's Select Side which will compete in the South U-23 Women's LAU tournament on Nov. 3 in Columbus, GA. Andrew and Matt have both been sidelined for the past year with serious injuries and have served as defacto assistant coaches to the Wake Forest team during that time period. Both have high level rugby experience- Andrew was a member of the NCRU Men's College All-Stars in 2006 and has played with the San Jose Seahawks, a Division I Men's Club in San Jose, CA. Matt played on the NCRU Men's College All-Stars in 2205 and was invited to the All-South selection camp in 2006. Matt also represented North Carolina in the U-19 Challenge Cup in Baltimore, MD in 2006. Matt and Andrew have thrown themselves headlong into their coaching responsibilities and are expecting great success at the LAU Tournament on Nov. 3.

IMPORTANT SCHEDULE CHANGE

Despite the NCRU's best efforts and some incredibly generous work put in by George Daniel, a former Wake rugger, the NCRU was forced to cancel its annual tournament scheduled for Oct. 27-28 due to lack of field availability. Wake Forest, in conjunction with the Charlotte Rugby Club, will now be hosting an unofficial tournament on Oct. 27 with the top 4 men's collegiate finishers from last year's NCRU tournament. The tournament will take place at the Skillbeck Athletic Grounds in Charlotte, NC. The schedule for the day will be as follows:

9am: #1 NCSU A v. #4 WFU A
10:30am: #2 ECU A v. #3 UNC A
12pm: NCSU B v. WFU B
1:30pm: ECU B v. UNC B
3:00pm: Loser Game #1 v. Loser Game #2
4:30pm: Winner Game #1 v. Winner Game #2

While the cancellation of the NCRU tournament is extremely disappointing, this should be a great substitute day of rugby for all involved. Work is already being done to ensure that the NCRU tournament returns next year better than ever.

Wake defeats Furman 24-14, falls to Lander 15-12

Wake Forest's first side defeated Furman, last year's D3 national runner-up, 24-14 in a match consisting of three 25 minute periods. Furman lost much of its team from last year due to graduation, but returned a solid core of players and has had good results so far this fall. In the first 25 minute period Wake had the better of possession and territory, but reminiscent of the match against ECU, could not string together much in the way of phase play. This was partially due to Furman's tremendous counter rucking, which made freshman scrumhalf Dante Merlino's job extremely difficult and prevented Wake from recycling the ball cleanly. Wake also was not helped by yet another shift in player personnel as sophomore flanker Trent Justice was forced to move into the backline in the #12 jersey as Wake's first, second, and third choice inside centers were out with injury. The first period ended with the scoreline knotted at 3, with Wake's points coming courtesy of flyhalf Tyler Eure's 48 meter penalty goal.

Furman had the run of play in the second period and added 8 points to its tally with another penalty goal and an unconverted try, while Wake was shut out for the second 25 minutes. Wake had all sorts of trouble maintaining possession at the breakdown, as Furman continued its excellent counter rucking. At the end of 50 minutes, Furman led 11-3. The second period was marred by a yellow card to the Furman blind-side flanker for foul play in a ruck and a shocking incident in which the Furman scrumhalf, upset with what he thought was a late tackle, blatantly kicked a Wake player in the groin while the referee had turned his back to follow the ball.

The third period belonged completely to Wake Forest, as Furman made some substitutions and brought in some newer players. Wake also subbed in a number of new players, but all of them had had first side experience at some point this year. The result was Wake running in three converted tries, while Furman could muster only a penalty. Wake tries were scored by sophomore wing Perry Salvagne, freshman prop Matt Storck, and freshman scrumhalf Dante Merlino. All three tries were the result of fantastic support and offloading in contact, a hallmark of Wake's play that was sorely missing in the first two periods. The final score was 24-14.

In the second match of the day, Wake's reserves took on D3 Lander University's first side in a match consisting to two 25 minute halves. Lander capitalized on a number of its opportunities in the first half, scoring three unconverted tries, while Wake was blanked on the scoreboard. The second half was a different story, however, as Wake completely dominated play. Unfortunately, Wake could only manage to convert its posession and pressure into two tries and one conversion and trailed 15-12 at the final whistle.

In all it was another good day of rugby as the young Wake team continues to grow. Of the 30 players who took the field for Wake today, 3 were seniors, 2 were juniors, and the rest were freshmen and sophomores.

Wake is off next week as the University is on fall break.

Update on Dave Hines

Dave had extensive surgery yesterday to remove a large brain tumor. The surgery appears to have gone about as well as could have been hoped for and Dave's prognosis at this point appears much brighter than it was just a few days ago. Please continue to keep Dave in your thoughts and prayers as he begins his recovery. I know that he appreciates the support he has received from the Wake rugby family during this incredibly tough time.

Pat

WAKE RUGGER NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS

Wake Rugby Family:

We just received word that David Hines, class of '07, is currently in a Philadelphia hospital awaiting emergency surgery tomorrow for a life-threatening condition. Please keep David and his family in your thoughts and prayers. I will distribute further information as it becomes available.

Patrick Kane
pmkane78@aol.com

Wake Forest defeats Georgia Tech 40-6.

Georgia Tech, a 2007 South Division II Quarterfinalist, travelled to Winston-Salem on Saturday and were dealt a 40-6 defeat by Wake Forest. Georgia Tech was somewhat understrength as some of their first siders were unavailable, and they could not keep pace with Wake's blisteringly fast backline. Freshman fullback Drew Chadwick, who missed the last two games due to injury, notched his second hat trick of the season, while sophomore wings Perry Salvagne and Steve McMillen also touched down. Junior flanker Timo Kawira started the day's scoring with a nicely worked try off of a rolling maul. Senior captain and flyhalf Tyler Eure was solid with the boot, converting 5 of the 6 tries.

Georgia Tech did not travel with a B-side, so Wake's second siders had the weekend off. Both the first and second sides will be in action next weekend in Greenville, SC, where they will play a round robin with Furman and Lander. Wake's extremely young team (6 freshmen and 7 sophomores started against GT) is starting to gel and is proving that Wake will be competitive in Division II.

Depleted, Youthful Wake Team Bests Longwood 23-19

With an incredible 11 regular first side players unavailable due to injury, the LSAT, and weddings, Wake Forest travelled to Farmville, VA to take on Longwood University, who last year finished #3 in the country in Division III. Starting a lineup that contained 3 freshmen, 10 sophomores, and a lone junior and senior, Wake got out to a slow start, but managed to go into the half trailing only 12-10, with sophomore fullback Perry Salvagne scoring a try and senior captain and flyhalf Tyler Eure scoring a conversion and penalty. Wake's cohesion was much better in the second half and they dominated possession and territory with Eure adding another penalty and junior flanker Timo Kawira scoring two tries. Longwood scored at the death to make the final score 23-19.

The Wake second side defeated Longwood 8-3. Wake's lone try was scored by freshman hooker Matt Storck, while Sophomore Perry Salvagne, running double duty as second side flyhalf, hit a penalty goal.

Next weekend Wake takes on 2007 South Division II Quarterfinalist Georgia Tech in Winston-Salem.

Wake falls to ECU 31-7, B-side posts 10-5 victory

Wake Forest fell to East Carolina 31-7 on Saturday evening in a match that had many positives, but demonstrated that Wake still must improve considerably in order to be successful at the Division II level. An unfocused Wake side gave up converted tries within the first minute of both halves, and despite dominating both possession and territory for much of the match, lacked continuity on offense and managed only a penalty try on the night. Wake's forwards were extremely young and inexperienced (3 freshmen and 3 sophomores) and while they showed tremendous promise by matching the bigger ECU pack physically, they lacked a comprehensive knowledge of Wake's preferred pattern of play and as a result Wake could not string together anything in the way of phase play. The young forwards were not helped any by a very indecisive performance from sophomore scrumhalf Steve Schneider, whose inexperience was also on display against ECU. Wake will get an opportunity to redeem itself against East Carolina in the NCRU tournament at the end of October. By that point the youthful Wake team will have gained valuable on-field experience which will hopefully translate into a different result on the scoreboard.

The Wake B-side defeated ECU's second side 10-5. Sophomore flyhalf JD Harrison accounted for all of Wake's scoring, notching a try, conversion, and penalty, while leading the team superbly both offensively and defensively. Wake's defense was fantastic, with first year backline players Dan Sherman, Dante Merlino, and David Sage combining with freshman forwards Andrew Konopitski and Hunter Lostan to bottle up ECU's offense.

Wake will next be in action next weekend in Farmville, VA where they will take on Longwood University, one of last year's Division III Final Four participants.

Wake Forest Past Beats Wake Forest Present; Wake Forest Present Rebounds to Beat UNC-Greensboro

Wake Forest Rugby Alumni defeated the current Wake Forest team 38-0, in a 60 minute match. Alumni tries were scored by Pat Kane, Greg Wagner, Hien Dinh Nguyen, Evan Woods, Dave Buckingham, and Scott Adams. Kane converted 4 of the 6 tries. Alumni who did not make the scoresheet, but who played fantastic rugby, were Justin Edwards, Warren Pierce, Adam Blincoe, Rusty Hedrick, Acilleas Patounas, and Jordan and Joshua Weiss. The alumni side was rounded out by soon-to-be alumni Owen Field, Dinesh Kirpalani, and Dave Taveira.

After the pasting by the more experienced alumni side, Wake regrouped and ran all over UNC-Greensboro, winning 43-7. A mixed first and second side scored seven tries, with freshman fullback Drew Chadwick notching a hat-trick in only his second ever game. Tries were also scored by freshman prop Matt Storck, senior flyhalf Tyler Eure, senior flanker Owen Field, and sophomore center Michael Daniels. Wake was able to put together a much more complete performance this week than last week against Guilford. The return of inside center Mike Wills solidified the backline, while the forwards were bolstered by the return of hooker Mike Duffy.

Wake will next be in action at East Carolina next Saturday night.

More Alumni Match Info

The new jerseys that were supposed to be ready for the alumni match are delayed and will not be here until next week. All recent alumni are asked to bring their jerseys so that the alumni can wear the stripes and the A-side will wear the blacks. The second side will also be wearing the stripes against UNC-G.

ALUMNI MATCH DETAILS

This weekend's alumni match will kick off at 12pm on Saturday on Poteat Field. The match will be followed by Wake Forest's second side facing off against UNC-Greensboro at 2pm. When all the rugby is finished, there will be a social event at a location to be announced. Any alumni who have questions should contact Patrick Kane at pmkane78@aol.com.

Wake Falls to Guilford 20-18 in Season Opener

After UNC-Wilmington inexplicably and inexcusably cancelled their two scheduled matches with Wake Forest on Thursday afternoon, Wake was left with only one opponent for its 3 sides on Saturday. Guilford College traveled to Winston-Salem for a 3pm kickoff. The teams agreed to a 3-30 minute period format so that Wake could get as many players playing time as possible. Wake began the match with close to a full stregnth side and expected to run rampant for the first 30 minutes. However, early season rust and a great performance from a much improved and well-drilled Guilford team resulted in Guilford having the run of play in the first 30 minutes and when the whistle sounded Wake had only a 10-3 lead, all of Wake's scoring coming compliments of flyhalf Tyler Eure who scored a try, conversion, and penalty. Wake substitiuted a number of second side players in for the second period and Guilford continued to look the better side. A penalty by replacement flyhalf JD Harrison and a try from hooker Peter Rice brought Wake's lead to 18-3, but then a Guilford back scored a tremendous intercept try which was converted to bring the score to 18-10 at the close of the second period. In the third period Wake blooded a number of new players and the more experienced Guilford team had their way, scoring 2 unconverted tries while Wake could muster no offense whatsoever. When the final whistle blew Guilford had won the day at 20-18.

In all it was a positive day of rugby. While Wake is clearly hampered by the 7 A-side regulars who are either injured or abroad, the newer players gained valuable experience against a Guilford team that has come a very long way from the team that last year was losing to Wake's second side. Close to 20 brand new players took the field for Wake on Saturday and showed a great deal of potential, while the veterans saw that they need to do alot of work to get back to the level at which they are used to competing.

Next weekend is homecoming, and Wake's first side will take on the Wake Forest Rugby Alumni, while the second/third sides will be in action against UNC-Greensboro.

Wake Adds Another High Profile Opponent to Fall Schedule

Wake Forest will be playing a home match against Albright College on Sunday, Oct. 14, as part of Albright's Fall Break Tour. Albright finished the 2007 spring season ranked as the #9 Division II collegiate team in the country. In only 5 years of existence, Albright has established itself as a model rugby program under the guidance of head coach Jason Horowitz. This match be a good measuring stick for Wake Forest in advance of its entrance into the South Division II competition in the spring.

Longtime Wake Rugby Supporter Passes Away Over the Summer

Published in the Raleigh News and Observer

Flavius E. "Woody" Mendenhall Jr.

Mr. Flavius "Woody" Elwood Mendenhall, Jr., 56, of Kinnamon Road died Sunday, July 8, 2007 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Woody was born March 5, 1951 in Winston- Salem to Flavius Elwood Mendenhall, Sr. and Thelma Echerd Mendenhall. He graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School where he played the trumpet in the High School Marching Band. In addition, he played the trumpet for many years in the Moravian Band for the Easter Sunrise Service in Old Salem. Woody graduated from Wingate College and Elon College and also attended Wake Forest University for a graduate degree in business.He valued his membership in the Boy Scouts. He earned his Eagle Scout with three Palms and the God and Country and Eagle Award from Troop 749 at Ardmore United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow, a Boy Scout fraternal order. From 1971-1975, Woody served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.Woody was a member of First Baptist Church for over 50 years and was in the Discovery Sunday School Class. For nearly 30 years. Woody worked as a Forsyth County Tax Appraiser in the Commercial Division. He just retired. He was a valued friend and loved by many.

Woody was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his wife, Vickie Johnson Mendenhall, of the home; his mother, Thelma E. Mendenhall of Winston-Salem; his brother, S. Lon Mendenhall and wife, Joyce McCarthy of Winston-Salem; his sister, T. Lou Mendenhall-Hinshaw, and husband, Darrell, of Greensboro; his brother-in-law, James William "Jim" Johnson, III and wife, Connie of Angier; his three nieces, Ashley Leigh Mendenhall of Siloam, NC, Heather Ann Johnson and Paige King Johnson, both of Angier.

Memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Old Hickory Council, 6600 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 or the American Lymphoma and Leukemia Association, C/O Susan McConnell, 804 Shoreland Road, Winston- Salem, NC 27106.Online condolences may be sent to www.salemfh.com

Wake Forest Rugby Featured on American Rugby News

http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/college/Wake_Forest_moving_on_up.shtml

Wake Rugby to Move Up to Division II

After discussions with NCRU and USA Rugby South officials, it has been decided that beginning in the Spring of 2008, Wake Forest will be competing in USA Rugby Collegiate Division II. Wake's new league opponents will be East Carolina, North Carolina State, Appalachian State, and UNC-Wilmington. In the past two years, Wake has a 4-2 record in friendly play against these teams, having failed to register a victory against only East Carolina.

More Schedule Changes

In an example of the type of ocurrence that is keeping the sport of rugby from legitimacy in this country, Guilford College managed to book two matches in different cities for the same day. Therefore, the match between Wake's B/C side and Guilford's A-side scheduled for Sept. 8 has been cancelled. Instead, UNC-Wilmington will now be coming to Winston-Salem to play Wake's A and B sides on that date.

Location of Match with East Carolina Changed

Despite the fact that East Carolina had previously committed to a Sept. 22 match at Wake Forest, they informed us this week that due to "budget constraints" they would not travel to Winston-Salem. As it is too late for Wake Forest to find a suitable replacement match for that date, the Demon Deacons will now be travelling to Greenville, NC to play the match.

Wake Rugby Mourns Passing of Skip Prosser

The Wake Forest community is mourning the sudden passing of Wake Forest Men's Basketball Head Coach Skip Prosser, who died yesterday at the age of 56 after suffering an apparent heart attack. Prosser was a good friend of the Wake rugby program, having played rugby himself during his senior year at the Merchant Marine Academy. He was always willing to take time out of his busy schedule to discuss the art of coaching with former Wake head rugby coach Pat Kane, and the two met on multiple ocassions. Prosser had also agreed to be the keynote speaker at the Rugby Final Four banquest hosted by Wake this past spring, but had to pull out at the last minute to go on the recruiting trail. Prosser was a fantastic coach and a great person, and he will be missed.

ALUMNI MATCH SET FOR HOMECOMING WEEKEND

Calling all Wake Rugby Alumni! There will be an official Alumni Match on Saturday, September 15, pitting former Wake Ruggers against the current Wake Forest A-side. Whether you want to strap on the boots or just come watch and catch up with old teammates, please make plans to be in Winston-Salem for Homecoming Weekend. The Alumni match will be followed by the Wake B-side taking on UNC-Greensboro and, of course, there will be a family-friendly social event afterwards. If you have any questions about the weekend, please contact Patrick Kane at pmkane78@aol.com.

Wake Adds Fall Match with Clemson

A match with Division I Clemson has been added to the Wake Rugby fall schedule. The match will take place at Clemson on Friday night, Nov. 9. The following day the Wake Football team takes on the Clemson Tigers in an ACC showdown in Clemson.This match will be a huge test for Wake, as Clemson is a perrenniel powerhouse in the South Division I competition and has advanced to the USA Rugby Division I Round of 16 for the last three years.

Fall Schedule Announced

The Wake Forest Rugby team's fall schedule is as follows:

Sept. 8- A-side v. UNC-Wilmington A; B-side v. UNC-Wilmington B and Guilford A (Away- all games at Wake)
Sept. 15- A-side v. Alumni; B-side v. UNC-Greensboro A (Home)
Sept. 22- A and B sides v. East Carolina (Away)
Sept. 29- A and B sides v. Longwood (Away)
Oct. 6- A and B sides v. Georgia Tech (Home)
Oct. 13- A and B sides v. Furman (Away)
Oct. 20- Fall Break
Oct. 27-28- State Tournament (Away- either in Danville or Greensboro, location TBA)

Wake Forest Rugger Makes Select Side

Wake Forest prop Kenton Forte, a rising sophomore, was selected to the North Carolina U-19 team this past weekend. Forte, who only began playing rugby last September, worked his way into the Wake first side by mid-spring and was voted the team's most improved player by his teammates for the '06-'07 season. This makes the second consecutive year that a Wake prop has been selected to this side, as current club president Matt Gottbrecht made the team last year. The Carolina U-19s will travel to Baltimore later this month to take part in the U-19 Challenge Cup against other LAU select sides. Also participating in the Challenge Cup will be David Walsh, a Wake recruit who is currently waiting to hear if he has been let in off the admissions waiting list. Walsh, from Staples, CT, is the starting flyhalf for the Met-NY U-19 select side.

'07-'08 Executive Board

President: Matt Gottbrecht
Vice-President: Dino Kirpalani
Match Secretary: Owen Field
Treasurer: Dave Poplaski
Social/Alumni Secretary: John Keough and Peter Rice
Recruiting Coordinator: Tyler Eure

Wake Forest Announces New Coaching Staff for '07-'08

The Wake Forest Men's Rugby team will have a new coaching staff in place when practice begins in late August. Barry Horewitch, an assistant coach this past year, will take over the reins as head coach. Greg Dover, a former standout player at Furman University, will join the club as an assistant coach, working primarily with the backline. Former head coach Patrick Kane has moved into the position of Director of Men's Rugby, in which he will oversee the administrative aspects of the club and will assist with coaching when his schedule permits.

Creation of Wake Forest Rugby Blog

In an effort to keep fans of Wake Forest Rugby more timely updated on club news, we have created the Wake Forest Rugby Blog. The team's website will still continually be updated in depth with pictures, match reports, etc., but the blog will serve to give interested parties immediate updates on things such as match results and schedule changes.