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.