A Note From Coach Goonan

Wake Forest Tabs Justin Goonan as New Head Coach

Goonan, center, was an assistant coach for the 2012 USA U-20 team

that captured the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy

 

Winston-Salem, NC-The Wake Forest University men's rugby team has hired Justin Goonan to be the team’s new head coach.  Goonan joins the Demon Deacons with an impressive resume, having played college rugby at Texas A&M and then in the US Rugby Super League with Old Blue and Boston. While in Boston, he served as an assistant coach with Boston College and in 2012 he was a member of the coaching staff for the USA U-20 men's team that won the IRB Junior Rugby World Trophy. For the last year, Coach Goonan has lived in London pursuing a Masters degree in Strength & Conditioning at the University of Greenwich and interning with the famed London Scottish.

Inheriting a team that struggled last spring, going winless in ACRL conference play, Coach Goonan is eager to build a successful program along with the large number of returning players in key positions.  Wake Forest Rugby Foundation President Andrew Gentles, who led the coaching search committee, had this to say: "We had dozens of solid candidates apply for the position, but Coach Goonan really stood out.  From our first interview with him I knew he was the right man for the job and I'm thrilled that he has accepted the challenge of leading Wake Forest rugby as we rebound from last year and continue to raise the level of the program."  For his part, Goonan said, "This is a fantastic opportunity to coach college rugby at a high level. Wake Forest University is very well known as an academic institution and their rugby program has a talented and committed group of returning players along with strong administrative and alumni support.  I'm looking forward to getting back to the States and plan to hit the ground running.  Right now, my focus in on learning more about the players and establishing a platform for our pre-season camp."

Goonan will be assisted by Trent Justice, who has been an assistant coach with the team since 2010 and will stay on in that capacity.  Former head coach Patrick Kane is also expected to remain with the program as an assistant.  Wake Forest begins the ACRL season on September 14 when they host the Virginia Cavaliers at Poteat Field.

Q&A with Pat Kane and Andrew Gentles on Grow Rugby

http://www.growrugby.com/2013/06/18/qa-about-wake-forest-coaching-position/

Wake Forest Seeking Head Coach

Wake Forest Men’s Rugby Seeking Head Coach

The Wake Forest Men’s Rugby team is looking to hire a Head Coach for the upcoming season.  Wake competes at the D1-AA level in the highly competitive Atlantic Coast Rugby League and is seeking to establish itself as a premier undergraduate rugby destination in the Southeastern United States. In the past nine years Wake has rapidly ascended through the Division III and Division II ranks with a strictly volunteer coaching staff and hiring a paid Head Coach is an important next step in ensuring the team’s continued growth. 

Job Description:

Wake competes during both the Fall and Spring semesters. For the first time this year, the ACRL will be playing the 15s season in the Fall, while 7s will be played in the Spring. The Head Coach will be expected to commit to a work schedule during the competitive season that includes four practices per week and weekend matches.  The Head Coach will be expected to commit to a lesser schedule during school breaks, focusing mainly on recruiting and attending various events to further the team’s interests.

The Head Coach will be inheriting a group of highly talented and motivated rugby players, including several incoming freshmen with substantial rugby experience. The biggest challenges for the Head Coach will be growing and maintaining a sufficiently-sized roster through recruitment of high school players and athletes from within the general student population and ensuring the continued growth in financial resources provided by the school and other sponsors and donors.

In addition to coaching responsibilities, the Head Coach will need to handle administrative tasks, communicate with the appropriate rugby organizations (e.g. ACRL, USA Rugby), institute a formalized high school recruitment policy, coordinate with the Wake Forest Rugby Foundation on team finances, scholarships and alumni outreach, act as a liaison to the Wake Forest Administration, manage the team budget and fundraising efforts, and most importantly, mentor players both on and off the field.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will exhibit the following experiences and skills:

·         Previous collegiate coaching and playing experience

·         Ability to teach players with varying levels of experience the fundamentals of rugby

·         Strong understanding of offensive and defensive strategy, set pieces and situational decision-making

·         Superior leadership and managerial skills

Compensation:

The Head Coach will receive a salary between $10,000 and $20,000, commensurate with experience. Health and other benefits will not be provided

For more information:

If you are interested in the position please send a resume and cover letter to:

Andrew Gentles, President, Wake Forest Rugby Foundation

Gentac1@gmail.com

 

About Wake Forest University

Founded in 1834, Wake Forest University is a private educational institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has approximately 4,800 undergraduate students, the vast majority of which live on campus or in the immediate surrounding areas. Wake is a hotbed for collegiate athletics, and is the third smallest school competing in Division 1 FBS football. The school was ranked 27^th overall in U.S. News’ 2013 list of America’s Best Colleges and is known for its rigorous academic standards. Wake Forest boasts a vibrant Greek life and has one of the highest participation rates for study abroad programs in the country.

About the Wake Forest Rugby Foundation

The Wake Forest Rugby Foundation was established in 2009 as a way to help further the proud tradition of Demon Deacon rugby both on and off the pitch. The organization is structured as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Donations to the Foundation fund a portion of the team’s operational expenses, scholarships for current players as well as high school recruits, and alumni outreach efforts. In addition to financial support, the Foundation’s Officers, Board of Directors and active alumni participants provide ongoing support to current players and coaches in various capacities.

Watson, McMurray, McIntyre, and Zimmerman Get ACRL Honors

ACRL Press Release

2013 Atlantic Coast Rugby League

All-Conference Teams and Award Winners Named

Naval Academy scrumhalf Ricky Neel-Feller is the 2013 Atlantic Coast Rugby League Player of the Year, narrowly edging out his teammate and fellow halfback partner Jack McAuliffe.  Neel-Feller led the Midshipmen to an undefeated ACRL conference season and a trip to the semi-finals of the inaugural Varsity Cup National Collegiate Rugby Championship.

Clemson University took home the other two individual awards, as Tigers scrumhalf Ryan Gilroy was named Freshman of the Year honors and Tigers head coach Justin Hickey was unanimously voted the conference Coach of the Year.  This is the second consecutive year that a Clemson player was named Freshman of the Year, as Gilroy’s teammate Dan Collins took home the honors in 2012. 

Navy and Clemson, who finished first and second respectively in the conference, led all teams in All-Conference players.  Navy had an astounding eleven selections, including six first-teamers, while Clemson was close behind with nine players selected overall.

In keeping with its member schools’ emphasis on academics, the conference again named an All-Academic team.  To be considered for the All-Academic team, a player must have been a junior or senior who was a consistent varsity player and carried a cumulative GPA over 3.5 or better.

Finally, the ACRL is proud to announce the team that will be representing the conference on the field in the first ever ACRL-Big Ten All-Star Challenge.  The team will be coached by Clemson’s Justin Hickey and the match will take place on Friday, May 31 in Philadelphia at Drexel University as part of the USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship.  Kickoff for the match (which will be rugby 15s) is scheduled for 5:30pm.  The squad is still not finalized, as the coaching staff is awaiting the potential availability of some players who are still in contention for spots on the CRC rosters of Navy, NC State, and Virginia Tech.  The team includes many All-Conference players, including a quartet of players who have been named to the past three ACRL All-Conference teams: Matias Cima, John Davis, and Keith Sneddon from Maryland and Johnny McMurray from Wake Forest.  

A full list of the 2013 Atlantic Coast Rugby League All-Conference Teams and Award Winners is below.

2013 ACRL Player of the Year: Ricky Neel-Feller, USNA

2013 ACRL Freshman of the Year: Ryan Gilroy, Clemson

2013 ACRL Coach of the Year: Justin Hickey, Clemson

2013 All-ACRL First Team

Prop- Abe Harmon, NCSU

Prop- Darrien Green, USNA

Hooker- Dan Collins, Clemson

Lock- James Watson, Wake Forest

Lock- Jon Thornton, USNA

Loose Forward- Matt Fetty, Clemson

Loose Forward- Keith Sneddon, Maryland

Loose Forward- Andrew Stelletto, USNA

Loose Forward- Ben Shafer, Maryland

Forward- Matt Pace, NCSU

Scrumhalf- Ricky Neel-Feller, USNA

Flyhalf- Jack McAuliffe, USNA

Inside Center- Seamus Seifring, USNA

Outside Center- Justin Warzoha, Clemson

Wing- Matt Reilly, Maryland

Wing- Robbie Hemstreet, UVA

Fullback- Evan Burch, UVA

Back- Greg Hesler, NCSU

 

2013 All-ACRL Honorable Mention

Prop- Carl Katz, Virginia Tech

Prop- Max Simons, Clemson

Prop- Brett Weaver, Clemson

Prop- Eddie Youngs, NCSU

Hooker- Bill Whelan, Virginia Tech

Hooker- Matt Kelly, USNA

Lock- Michele Minichiello, Virginia Tech

Lock- Shaun Rich, Clemson

Lock- Matt Daniels, NCSU

Loose Forward- Spencer Wilson, USNA

Loose Forward- Martin Sexton, Virginia Tech

Forward- Keegan Downey, Maryland

Forward- Chris Rixey, USNA

Scumhalf- Ryan Gilroy, Clemson

Flyhalf- Matias Cima, Maryland

Inside Center- Ben Coburn, Clemson

Outside Center- Nick Hancock, USNA

Outside Center- Dan Hudgens, UNC

Wing-Ron Helms, USNA

Fullback- Stefan Friend, Clemson

Fullback- Johnny McMurray, Wake Forest

Back- John Davis, Maryland

 

2013 All-Academic Team

Liam McIntyre, Wake Forest

David Christian, Virginia Tech

Sam Gedeon, USNA

Tommy Evans, Clemson

Greg Hesler, NCSU

Drew Herpel, Maryland

2013 ACRL All-Star Team

Forwards: Brett Weaver, Clemson; Dan Collins, Clemson; Max Simons, Clemson; Bill Whelan, Virginia Tech; James Watson, Wake Forest; Michele Minichiello, Virginia Tech; Matt Fetty, Clemson; Ben Shafer, Maryland, Eric Higgins, Virginia Tech; Keith Sneddon, Maryland

Backs: Matias Cima, Maryland; Matt Reilly, Maryland; John Davis, Maryland; Ryan Gilroy, Clemson; Eddie Abreu, Clemson; Stefan Friend, Clemson; Johnny McMurray, Wake Forest; Jack Zimmerman, Wake Forest; Dylan Cunningham, UNC; Nick Johnson, Clemson; Justin Warzoha, Clemson

Head Coach: Justin Hickey, Clemson

Assistant Coach: Pat Kane, Wake Forest
Assistant Coach: Steve Laake, Maryland
Assistant Coach/Manager: Wright Henry, Clemson

Kane Steps Down as Coach

Kane is stepping down to focus on developing the next generation of Wake ruggers.

After nine years at the helm of the Wake Forest Men's Rugby team, Pat Kane has stepped down as the head coach, citing team needs as well as his own career and family obligations. Pat will remain involved with the team and will work closely with the Wake Forest Rugby Foundation and the school to identify sources of funding that will allow the team to bring on a full time coach, a move that is necessary for Wake to continue competing at the Division I level.

Pat took over the reins in 2004 as a Wake Forest law student. The team was in relative shambles, struggling to compete at the Division III level with a bare bones roster and few resources. In his first season Pat began to overhaul the team, instituting measures for player accountability, improving recruitment efforts, soliciting better resources from the school, and adding structure to the practice and game schedules. Pat's extensive knowledge of the game drastically improved Wake's offensive style, team defense and set pieces. In just a few short years Wake became a force in Division III rugby and was ready to move up to the Division II level. In 2008 Wake made it to the South Finals and finished the season as the #22 Division II team in the country. After the 2009 season, Wake joined the Carolinas Rugby League, a combination of Division I and II teams located in North and South Carolina. Following the 2010 season the Carolinas Rugby League was disbanded, and Pat led the effort to create the Division I-AA Atlantic Coast Rugby League, where he currently serves as league commissioner.

Beyond the on the field success, Pat successfully professionalized the team and improved its stature on campus and with Wake's administration. The current team is outfitted in top of the line gear and apparel, holds fitness practices twice a week on top of the normal practice schedule, has formalized high school recruiting, and boasts some of the top students on campus. It is a far cry from the team Pat inherited back in 2004, and despite this year's struggles, the team is well poised for the future.

On a more personal level, Pat has played a massively positive role in my development as a rugby player and more importantly, as a man. I think I can speak for all of Pat's players when I say that disappointing Pat Kane was one of the worst feelings you could have and making him proud was certainly one of the best. It is easy to get pulled astray as a college undergrad - you are surrounded by temptations and, for the first time, fully responsible for yourself. There is a reason that so many Wake Rugby alums have gone on to successful professional and personal lives after graduation - the team kept you accountable for your actions and instilled in you a work ethic that most other students simply did not have. Pat molded that team and support system. He has personally helped players through difficult personal situations as well as shared in some of their most joyous moments. Pat is the type of person you can't wait to introduce to your parents despite the fact you are terrified of what he might say to them. His ability to connect with all of us on a personal level set him apart from other coaches. While Pat's on and off the field leadership will be sorely missed, he has put in place the foundation Wake Rugby will need for continued success.

I would be remiss if I did not pass along a special thank you to Pat's family, his wife Melynda and their two children, Molly and Michael. They have become as much a part of the team as anyone, traveling long distances to cheer on the team and, more importantly, putting up with the huge time burden that is Wake Rugby. Despite a chaotic work schedule as an attorney, Pat has spent the majority of his coaching career commuting between Greensboro and Winston-Salem for practices. He has sacrificed countless weekends for games and spends hours every week on administrative responsibilities. On behalf of all Wake Rugby players, past and present, I would like to say thank you to Pat and his family for the sacrifices they have made for the betterment of the team.

Mike Duffy, '10
VP of Communications
Wake Forest Rugby Foundation

Wake Suffering Through Difficult Rebuilding Stretch

Wake Forest is in the midst of weathering perhaps the toughest stretch of rugby it has seen in the last decade, and certainly the most difficult it has seen since moving to Division 1 in 2011. After being blanked 100-0 by Navy on March 2, the Deacs have suffered three straight lopsided losses, falling 72-17 to Maryland, 86-15 to NC State, and 55-14 to Virginia.  While in each instance it could be argued that the match was closer than the score indicated, the undeniable fact is that Wake is simply not executing well on either offense or defense. The team has clearly been hamstrung by injuries to key players Rob Elmore, Ryan Tacon and Wes Bloomer, all of whom were lost for the season before ACRL play began, and James Watson and Tim Zage who have been battling injuries for weeks and may now be shelved for the remainer of the year.   Adding to the team's depth problems has been the dismissal of several players in the past weeks for violation of team rules. Also evident is that the squad is still adjusting to the fact that the players are now essentially coaching themselves, as long time volunteer head coach Patrick Kane has been unavailable for most of this season due to professional commitments. So while the team understands that this season has become one of survival and rebuilding, the results on the scoreboard have nevertheless been tough to swallow.  That is not to say that the past three games have been devoid of anything positive. To the contrary, there have been bright spots in every game and at times the Deacons have played some good rugby. But more often than not they have found themselves on the back foot and defending for long periods and struggling to piece together offensive phases. Next week the Deacs will host Clemson.  The Tigers have established themselves as the cream of the ACRL and it will undoubtedly be another difficult challenge for Wake. But the team is committed to improving each week and with every player from this season's squad returning next year, there is optimism that there are better times ahead.

Lineup vs Maryland (3/9)

1. Wohlmuth (Dormer)
2. Estes
3. Decaminada
4. Watson
5. Gutowski (Shumaker)
6. Drewery
7. Zage (Hume)
8. McIntyre
9. Lambert
10. Kelly
11. Duncan
12. Zimmerman
13. Kavalec
14. Murphy (Mehrmann, Goldman)
15. Kinzer

Tries: McIntyre, Watson, Zimmerman

Lineup vs NC State (3/23)

1. Wohlmuth (Dormer)
2. Estes
3. Decaminada
4. Gutowski (Horne)
5. Watson
6. Murphy
7. Zage (McCurdy)
8. McIntyre
9. Lambert
10. Kelly
11. Duncan (Turchin)
12. Zimmerman
13. McGuiggan (Kavalec)
14. Kinzer
15. McMurray

Tries: Duncan, Watson, Zimmerman
Conversions: McMurray

Lineup vs Virginia

1. Hodges (Dormer)
2. Ryan (McCurdy)
3. Decaminada (Wohlmuth)
4. Horne
5. Gutowski
6. Murphy
7. Estes
8. McIntyre
9. Lambert
10. Kelly
11. Duncan (Goldman)
12. Zimmerman
13. McGuiggan (Passarelli, Turchin)
14. Kinzer
15. McMurray

Tries: Gutowski, Zimmerman
Conversions: McMurray (2)