Mount Rugby over American

Treasurer's Chest

[Oct 7, 1999] A few weeks ago, I sent out a message concerning our club dues.  I mentioned how important member dues are and why we need your support as members of the Frederick Rugby Football Club.  Unfortunately, very few of you responded by either paying some or all of your Fall 1999 dues, arranging some sort of schedule, or even talking to myself or Julian about when you could pay.

At this point in the season, the club has collected only about 30% of the expected dues.  And, 1/5 of that has been credits due to members helping out with the fund raising activities during the summer.  Also, another 1/5 of the total paid has been from two non-playing club officers!

Although the club does get some sponsorships and other donations to help out along the way, the heart of the club is you, the active, playing members.  Your support, whether it be by attending practices and matches, by helping with fund raisers and other activities, or by paying your season's dues on time, is crucial to the success of Frederick Rugby.  Over 1/2 of the club's funding comes from you, the guys busting ass out on the field.

Please, the club needs your support.  I can attend at least the beginning of practice whenever my travel schedule permits.  I am also going to try to get out to at least the early parts of the home matches.  If I am not there, your main contact for arranging payments or paying dues is Julian.  I can also be reached by phone at home or work (numbers below) or by email (also below).  I will also try to announce via email when I will be able to make it out to practices or matches.  Please make the effort to help out the club.

Stu Levine

home - 301-898-8050
work - 301-881-8840 ext. 3363
pager - 877-344-3760
email - Stuart.Levine@sas.com

Mount Rugby hold on to beat Navy

[Oct 6, 1999] As always it's a true joy for the Mount to play Navy and this day was no exception.  They are without a doubt the best conditioned, best coached, and most physical team we play over the 80 minute "tour of duty" we face annually.  The Mount held on to win the "A" match 29-17, and saw some encouraging play from our youth in winning the "B" match 17-3.  This fall we played the Middies as a part of the Emmitsburg Mason-Dixon Fall Festival at the Emmitsburg Elementary School.  The pitch was tight at 60 yds x 90 yds, which really hurt our looping scheme. We took an early lead and steadily built it up to a half time lead of 17-3 and 22-3 with 10 minutes to go.  THEN playing in an already semi complacent mode, came the "three minutes from hell."  Sophomore flanker Billy Potter went down with an hip-abdomen injury that we felt needed an ambulance and with him lying partially in one try zone, our players watching over their shoulders at what was going on, we had 8 straight penalties within our 5 meter line that lead to a penalty try and another try off a penalty play, both under the goal and converted, ergo, 22-17.  To the Mount's credit we snapped out of it, took away possession of the ensuing kickoff and in good multiple phase rugby scored with "Hoss" Williams crashing over.  Converted the try, and shortly thereafter the match ended.   Final MSM 29, NAVY 17

This weekend the Mount travel to American University. For information see www.msmary.edu/rugby/

President's Bench

[Oct 6, 1999] Thanks to Pete Ireland for slaving away in the rain to ensure that we all got to eat some pork (eventually) on Sunday.  I think that my neighbors will forgive me (hopefully before next year!).  As well as eating, the Pool competition was pretty tough and the Golf play-off was, let's say, interesting?!  It was good to have a mixture of Old Boys such as the Grunwell Dynasty, Allen Byrne, David Wright, the ever present Ron Hemby and Wilky along with the Active Players (some I got to meet for the first time when apprehended stealing beer from my kitchen early Sunday morning - Brian!).  I actually got to meet Eamon for the first time. I would tell you what Julian told me to say, but I think we can move above that English/Irish thing!  Thanks to Kenny for presiding over the awards, congratulations to all the winners and also thanks to Jamie for his "lighter" look at the players and in particular our very own "Claw".

One last thing.  You all know that I have been associated with Frederick Rugby as a player and now as President.  You also know that I am a full-time (well almost) Football Coach.  Take it from me.  Listen and learn.  Respond to your new Coach with enthusiasm and commit to him and the program.  You will be able to look back on 1999 as being a banner year for you as an individual and Frederick Rugby as a program.

Kretzer Elected Captain; Reeder - Vice

[Oct 5, 1999] Last night (8/19/99) Frederick Rugby elected a new Captain and Vice Captain.  For the Fall 1999 season, Eric Kretzer will lead the Club with the assistance of Vice Captain Jay Reeder. These two Hagerstown ruggers made the move from Rock City RFC some 8 years ago and have been Frederick Rugby stalwarts as the Club has progressed through the years.

Congratulations to both of these guys - and enjoy the experience.

Manager's Board

[Oct 5, 1999] Preseason 5 and 0 BUT ...

Don't get me wrong, winning four of four matches at the beach, scoring 130 and having only 13 scored against us was a good start.  Although not an official match, Washington showed us that we weren't all that.  The performance against Pittsburgh this weekend was pretty good.  We were over anxious and failed to deliver on offense but there was a lot of good stuff out there.  The problem however is that this weekend the Divisional or Matrix matches start.  We have lost some key players to injury, namely Mike Thompson, Stax Carrington and Tobin Triebel.  We have another group of players who are finding it very tough to get out of work to commit to practice and matches such as Will Brewington, Dareld Dudley, Seth Townley, John Astill and Mike Taylor.  We also have a number of players who are unable to travel this Saturday to Doylestown due to one-off engagements including Pete Ireland, Mike Stull and Kenny Orndoff.

The inability to field a deep squad for the Divisional matches will hurt us all.  Too many players will be playing two matches.  Too many players will have to play injured. In order for us to succeed, we need to pull together and commit to the program.  We only have a few short weeks - seven matches over eight weeks, then it's done, finished and we go into the winter break.

Please do your bit. Just turn up to every practice and match. Support the guys that are having a tough time and encourage those players that are on the fence to commit to the team. Let's roll over Doylestown away this weekend then build with the three home matches. This could be a very successful season - BUT - it will take all of us working hard to achieve it.

Coach's Corner

[Oct 4, 1999] As the coach for this fall season, I would like to remind you that what I coach and what I can coach depends on how well you know and how much you want to know.  As I have said to all of you, "let's get to do RIGHT what we do and THEN we will do MORE."

I don't want to jump ahead, as I would like, but as you all know we have to crawl before we walk!!

I have talked to most of you and explained what style of rugby I would like, but that all depends on the players.

Everyone knows what I want but I cannot give that to you unless I have 100% commitment on and off the field!

I WILL give you all a reason to play rugby if you will show me a reason why you want too!

I am enjoying coaching you and I think you all will progress in rugby if you settle your heads and start using them on the field which I think you are more than capable off.

To play rugby is not a game, it is LIFE!!!!

Mount Rugby roll in Divisional play

[Sep 29, 1999] On a beautiful Fall rugby day the Mount prevailed over Frostburg 66-10 in the "A" match and 33-0 in "B" match.  Frostburg, adjusting to the one game suspension of their capped flyhalf Rob Balnis, were kept out of their pattern of play by a ready to play Mount.  Frostburg is a strong talented team and never gave up.  They have a distinctive, powerful style that when allowed to, gave us a lot of trouble.  The Mount used all six of its substitutions.

Junior Will Bazela led the B's with three long distance tries in their 33-0 win.  Sophomore Billy Potter, junior Bill McGowan and senior Chris McKeffrey each contributed tries and McKeffrey converted on two.  This was a really solid effort.

The Mount hosts the Navy this weekend.  The game will be played in town behind Pizza Hut at the Emmitsburg Elementary School- 1PM.  This match a part of the annual Mason Dixon Fall Festival.

Seen on the sidelines: Tim Farrell '91- track team member and former FRFC rugby flash, Jeff and Jennifer Bertoni '90 and their three wonderful children - Jeff was a hooker of great lore for FRFC on many championship teams.  Tommy Spangler - Falcons, Mason Dixon RFC, and FRFC great, and Mike "Cowboy" Piavis - a "colorful" prop for Mason Dixon RFC.  Mike once bit a Frederick prop on the thigh in a set piece.  Mike is now a principal at a Frederick HS - Scary!

Please visit our web site http://www2.msmary.edu/rugby/

Mount Rugby Beat GW in Home Opener

[Sep 21, 1999] With a scrimmage with Washington RFC and a rain shortened game against IUP'S lowers, the Mount's play was more in sync than GW's. However, even with this advantage, the Mount started out playing a flat "lets sit back and let them come to us" style at the start of match, before pulling away to win 52-10.  Don't be fooled by the score, GW is a well coached, young team that will be really coming at you in short order especially when their new Argentinean youth national team scrumhalf settles in.  We hope to see them in the play offs and know it will be the more typical match these two clubs have.  GW won a well contested B game 19-14.

Scoring:

Scoring in the B match was provided by sophomore wing Jake Backover on a second phase run to the corner and senior scrum half Chris McKeefrey, who also converted on one try.  Excellent enthusiasm, hopefully they can get the coaching to keep up with it. Great effort!

This Saturday, September 18th at 1PM, we will host Frostburg University.  They are very strong talented, attacking team.  We hope we will prepared for them.  They lost their home opener to Navy 33-22 and 15-0.

Treasurer's Chest

[Sep 20, 1999] I know you all hear about paying dues from me, Julian, and whoever else may bring up the subject at practice or any other gathering. I want to remind those of you who may have forgotten and inform those of you who may have never realized, why we ask you to pay dues each season.

We all enjoy playing the game of rugby. In my opinion, there is no better game to play. We all like being out with the club, playing matches, winning (usually), and partying afterward. Unfortunately, it does take some funding to be able to field a rugby club, more than ever it seems these days. We are able to fund some of these activities through fund-raising events such as Ron Hemby's demolition parties and Vince DiGioia's destruction/construction gig a couple of weekends ago (thanks to all of you who participated). We are also working on getting some sponsors to help cover some of our costs, mainly the cost of televising some of our home matches on Cable 10 in Frederick.

However, the majority of our financial support comes from you. We rely on the dues-paying members of Frederick Rugby to help pay our way. Some of the expenses that the club incurs over the course of a year include:

• Potomac Rugby Union dues (a necessary evil)
• Potomac Referees Society (got to have refs for the matches)
• Tournament Entry Fees (we have the Atlantic Cup in a couple of weeks)
• Parties (need I say more)
• Field and Practice Equipment (balls, tacking dummies, field lining materials, etc.)
• various other incidental expenses

This season, we also have additional expenses such as the new jerseys everyone has heard about (thanks, Jaybird, for dealing with that) and subsidizing our new coach, Eamon Doyle. Over the past few years, we have achieved our success by having quality coaching from John Redmond and Lance French, and now Eamon.

From what I have heard from other rugby clubs in the area, our dues are extremely reasonable, $85 for our returning members, $40 for new club members. I have heard of clubs in the DC area that are asking members for upwards of $150 per season or more.

I am asking that each Frederick Rugby Club member make an effort to pay their season's dues as soon as possible, preferably by the home match against Pittsburgh on September 4 (Labor Day weekend). I realize that we all have other financial responsibilities along with the club (I have the same problem). We can be flexible about this. If you cannot afford the full season's dues all at once, we can discuss a payment schedule that works for both you and the club.

If you cannot pay all by Sept. 4, if you can pay at least 1/2 by then and talk to me about a schedule by then, that would be great. This would give us the funding we require to get the season started.

I will try to make at least one practice per week, I am usually there at the beginning and can hang around for part of it. If I am not there, you can give your dues to Julian, he will see that I get it and record it.

I have rambled on long enough. I will be at practice, if you would like to take care of your dues or at least talk to me about it.

Mount Rugby Overcomes IUP

[Sep 13, 1999] Saturday September 4th saw the Mount traveling to College Park to play the lower side of Div I Indiana University of PA (IUP).  On a terrific full regulation pitch, the Mount prevailed in a deluge and lighting shortened match 19-7.  The Mount came out on the pitch ready to play and scored within the first 5 minutes on the fourth phase of a slipping and rucking blend by senior forward Kris McKay.  Senior Ryan Brazell converted.  The Mount scored again 10 minutes later on a second phase dummy to Mike Williams taken by junior flyhalf Ian Monigle.  The conversion was missed. IUP came back with a pick up from the scrum.  They also converted.  Wasting no time, the Mount scored with yet another series of possessions that ended with a try by senior forward Teddy Thompson and conversion by Ryan Brazell.  With weather conditions quickly deteriorating, the first half of the match was extended to accommodate some subbing and then within 10 minutes the match was terminated. Final the Mount 19-7.

IUP has a terrific program with a Kenyan scrummy, Aussies at flyhalf and fullback, an All-American at hooker and two really great coaches.  They prevailed over a very well coached, disciplined Maryland club by coming from behind late in the match on some terrific scrumhalf play.

The Mount's first matrix fixture with George Washington University this weekend will be at home instead of in Washington because of field difficulties.  The "A" side match will start at 1PM with the B side match following shortly thereafter.

Manager's Board

[Sep 7, 1999] On Saturday 14th August Frederick rugby enjoyed a workout run by our good friend and current NOVA Coach, Geoff "Cooky" Cooke. In an attempt to avoid the heat, practice was scheduled for 10:00am at Ft. Detrick. This meant that the temperature was only 90F with 90% humidity!! Fortunately however, the early start meant that we were finished before the F1 Tornado struck Ft. Detrick!

The practice was fast paced and centered on drills to focus on and improve change of pace. Basic principles of taking contact on your own terms (a constant refrain from our Coach Eamon) were demonstrated on a tackle bag, or was it Mike "Skully" Stull taking those hand offs from Cooky. Skully was overheard at practice saying that he was sure that Cooky's fist must be sore after contact with his huge chest!!

At times it seemed that water was coming out of our pores quicker than we could drink, and the favorite job was holding a tackle pad, but everyone had fun and focused well.

Eamon and Cooky had the chance to chat through some ideas at the Pub afterwards.  They have very similar approaches focusing on improving ball speed through the hands and emphasizing the effect of change of pace.

I learned a little about Cooky's background that I thought you might be interested in. After playing hooker in New Zealand and being points kicker (don't tell Tool-Time - please!) Cooky had his knee blown out and broke his leg.

After recovery he moved into coaching. His first stop was in Australia where he led his Division I team to a National final, before moving on to Golden Gate in California. From there Cooky went on to Coach at Aspen, where he met Gavin Hastings (Scotland and British Lions Captain). He was invited back to Coach some sessions with Watsonians in Scotland and with Leicester in England.  At Leicester, Cooky got to work with Dean Richards (England #8 through the 1995 World Cup) and a young second row Martin Johnson (now England's Captain and the Captain of the 1997 British Lions who beat South Africa - just brought that up for Kevin Fraser's benefit). Cooky then moved on to coach Breckenridge, Colorado, where he coached Frederick's own Tory Ireland before moving to the Washington DC area. Here he Coached Washington RFC for a few seasons, took a leading role as the Mid-Atlantic All-Star Coach and is now coaching NOVA. Not a bad résumé?!?

Thanks Cooky for your time and we wish NOVA all the best this season.

President's Bench

He tried to move, but we found him ...

[Sep 7, 1999] President Dan Makosy to Host Frederick Rugby Pig Roast

The Frederick Rugby Pig Roast is this Sunday (September 5th) at President Moo's house in Mount Airy.  This will be the 3rd year for this event, organized by Pete Ireland, and is fast becoming Frederick Rugby's favorite fun tradition.  In addition to a lot of pork, there will be salads, sodas and one or two beers consumed. The Spring 1999 Player Awards will be presented by Kenny Orndoff and I have a feeling that Jamie Romano may have a few alternative awards to present!

The cost is just $10 a person and EVERYONE is welcome.  Please bring a couple of friends.  This is a fun time and also a great way to introduce friends, players and sponsors to Frederick Rugby.

Festivities commence at 2:00pm until later.  Moo has a great back yard, deck and a Pool table, should be a great time.

Directions to Frederick Rugby Pig Roast:  Take I-70 East towards Baltimore to exit 68, Rt-27 North.  Go straight, approx. 4 miles, turn right onto Gillis Falls Road.  Go approx. 0.5 miles, turn left onto Challedon Circle.  Take the third left onto Torrey Pines Drive.  Moo's house is white with black shutters 6051 Torrey Pines Drive

See you there at 2:00pm

National 7s Results

Now for the boring part.

A rugby coach is: a leader; An organizer/manager; a friend/counselor/teacher; a motivator; and a fall guy/scapegoat

My reason for becoming a coach are as follows: 
    1. To achieve on the field success
    2. To help players enjoy themselves
    3. To help players develop, both within and outside rugby
    4. To help promote and develop rugby as a whole

The continued growth of your rugby club will rely very much on the input of all the members. People willing to contribute to the game need two valuable commodities - Time and Knowledge/willingness to gain knowledge.

One of the most important issues of any sport as you all well know is FITNESS, FITNESS, FITNESS.  I will endeavor to develop your skills and your game.

On a softer note, anybody wishing to talk to me about the game at any stage is more than welcome.  If they are carrying two pints (with my name on one) I will talk to them even longer!!

[Aug 20,1999] Frederick rugby rounded out a summer of social sevens in style this weekend, going 4 and 1, to take the Plate trophy.

The day really wasn't as hot as anticipated, had a fair amount of cloud cover and a little sprinkle of rain. The fields were OK, just hard and brown - but that's 7s for you in Maryland! We all have extra strawberries and weeping wounds!

Jamie Romano and Art Hall turned up in time for the second match (Art's map reading skills have deserted him for the last two weeks) and Timmy Desmond arrived at lunchtime to replace the Ferret (who had to get back home to tend to his pregnant wife). Just in time for the final young Will "Wheels" Brewington strolled up.

The first match placed Frederick against a solid USUSHS team. Unfortunately we were pretty cold and went down 19 - 12. Actually - although this was strictly for fun and all - we were pretty disappointed at letting ourselves down on that one. Of course it was all because Eric Aldinger missed that one tackle (just kidding HA! HA!). That was the only match that Frederick were to lose, but it bumped us out of the Cup and into the Plate competition. Solid wins against West Potomac and Towson State Oldboys rounded out the pool play. In the semi-finals Frederick played very well and beat our local "friends" Washington Irish and then even sweeter went on to thump Severn River in the final. Captain Jamie Romano has a good looking trophy now acting as Sunny's water bowl at home.

Thanks to Kenny for running things, thanks to everyone for paying and a good time was had by all. Our two college players (just with us for summer vacation). Steve from Frostburg and Cutter from Mount Saint Mary's have both developed really well though the summer and should go back to their programs with some confidence.

[Aug 19,1999] Fall 1999 Campaign......I love it when a plan comes together!

As we approach August and the opportunity to regain our title as Mid-Atlantic Division II North champions, the behind the scenes work is coming together. 

Most importantly, we have a Full Time, Professional Coach, Eamon Doyle arriving from Northern Ireland on August 5th. To add to this, Jim Ford has agreed to be part of the Coaching team and serve as assistant, translator and guide to Eamon.

Another very important part of the Coaching team are all the Senior players. It is up to us to help out the developing players to ensure that the Club has depth and a consistent approach to the game.

We have confirmation that Ft. Detrick will remain our home pitch through the year 2000, might be time to invest a little time and effort into maintaining our favorite slope in Frederick! Also, Pat O'Connell has secured us access to the full football field at 7th Street for September and October (we will practice under natural light at Ft. Detrick through August to have access to a full size pitch).

Practices must start on time to avoid working in the dark (7:30pm - 9:00pm) each Tuesday and Thursday.

We will once again be televising the four divisional home matches - if you know of commercial sponsors who would like to be part of the Frederick Rugby Program, now is the perfect time to chat.

Sorry to bring this up - BUT - we need dues to be paid on time this season ($85 for a regular player, $40 for a new guy).

See you at practice.

Rugby World Cup roster spots could be at stake, US head coach Jack Clark said in announcing the tourists' midweek team. The task of facing a side with seven British Lions is intended to prepare the US for its Pool E matches, set to begin in seven weeks' time.

Early tour injuries have forced the US to juggle its lineup, as flanker Richard Tardits has been ruled out for tomorrow night's first-up match.  Tardits suffered what appears to be a torn meniscus in training on Saturday, and will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging procedure today.  The veteran is likely to return home for a rush arthroscopic operation, in the hope that he could be back in time for the World Cup.

Meanwhile, centers Mark Scharrenberg and Alatini Saulala are day-to-day, and will have to pass fitness tests before Tuesday evening. Altogether, the trio's absence would rob the US of 71 caps.

In forwards, hooker and 1999 US University player of the year Kirk Khasigan joins 1999 debutante Joe Clayton and uncapped Marc L'Huillier in the front row.

Second rowers Eric Reed and Rob Johnston also are uncapped.

The backrow trio of Shaun Paga, Dougald Gillies, and Rob Lumkong boasts a bit more experience, though only the latter was part of the USA's 1997 tour of Wales, the last time the Eagles visited one of the home unions.

Britt Howard and Mark Williams form the halfback pairing, with the Gentlemen of Aspen veteran captaining the side for the first time since a leading the US to a midweek victory of Pontypridd on that same 1997 tour.

Scharrenberg and Saulala are the centers, with Brian Hightower and uncapped 20-year-old Sinpati Uiagalelei listed at wing. Chris Morrow, like Hightower a new cap in the 1997 Cadiff Arms Park match, is the fullback.

United States: Chris Morrow; Sinipati Uiagalelei, Alatini Saulala, Mark Scharrenberg, Brian Hightower; Mark Williams (captain), Britt Howard; Joe Clayton, Kirk Khasigian, Marc L'Huiller, Eric Reed, Rob Johnston, Shaun Paga, Dougald Gillies, Rob Lumkong. Reserves: Kurt Shuman, David Niu, Kevin Dalzell, Fifita Mounga, Dave Hodges, Ray Lehner, Tom Billups.

My address is:- 1509 Scott's Chase Drive, Frederick. MD 21702

About the jerseys.

The material is a synthetic blend similar to that used in the Super-12s this year. It is very light, yet extremely strong and has a "wick" effect drawing water away from the body to aid cooling. The design (including logo and number) are actually dyed into the material, so no embroidery or heat applied numbers to wear and tear. The unit cost for the jerseys is a flat $55.00 that includes tool set-up, and fully complete jerseys (design plus logo plus number). If you are unable to get the money to me to be part of this order, a second order will be placed at the end of the season (minimum of 5 jerseys on a group order).

The pattern chosen by a group of the Club "Wisemen" (as you can imagine - it wasn't a large group!!) blends Frederick tradition with an updated image. The jersey is mainly green with a black and white horizontal fade built in (sorry - difficult to describe - but very striking!).

As the jersey will take 4 weeks to produce and deliver, Jay will place the order on Monday July 19th. As half of the money is required up front, you need to get the money (check made out to FRFC for $55) to me by Saturday so that I can pass on to Jay this weekend.

Also, please note that the actual cost of the jersey is $55.00. As you are all members of Frederick Rugby you will not be charged any additional fee - this is not a fundraiser.

[Aug 14, 1999] The first official 15s practice of the Fall 1999 Campaign will be Tuesday 10th August. Practice will start promptly at 7:30pm - so get there early to stretch.  We will practice at 7th Street. If we require more room we can move to Fort Detrick for Thursday. Mark this in you calendars and call your team mates to make sure that we have a solid start to the season.

We will be playing Touch-League at 7th Street this Tuesday and Thursday. If you can, turn up. This week is going to be pretty cool, a good chance to get back into shape!

Eamon began playing rugby at the age of 12 at grammar school then moved on to the Cookstown RFC Men's Club near Ulster, Northern Ireland. In addition to being the A-side Fly Half, Eamon began taking on the role of Player-Coach in 1995. In 1996, Eamon took on the additional role of Head Coach of the local High School team. In 1997, at the age of 26, Eamon's playing career was ended through injury. He then took over the role of Head Coach at Cookstown RFC, full-time, and began his Coaching accreditation courses with the IRB. By the end of 1998, Eamon was fully accredited up to level 3 Coaching, the highest level attainable in Ireland. This level Coach is authorized to Coach teams from Junior level, through Men's Club to Provincial level (regional All-Star teams).

At Cookstown RFC, Eamon coached the mens A-side and B-side as well as the U16 youth squad. In addition, Eamon is the strength and fitness Coach for the local Gaelic Footbal team (some weird version of football that you would have to get Allen to explain!!).

Just before we made our 1999 run to the National Sweet-16, Eamon was over in England at the Bournemouth Rugby Club, when he ran into Darren Clarke. Many of you know Darren as the English Prop who was introduced to Frederick Rugby by Tory Ireland, who brought him back from Breckenridge in the Fall of 1998. They got to talking and Darren mentioned that we may be looking for an experienced Coach. Just as we went to Chicago for the Nationals, I received an e-mail from Eamon. I have had several chats with Eamon, I also asked Allen Byrne (a fellow Irishman) to talk with him and have received two very good references from Ireland praising Eamon's coaching abilities.

During the Club meeting at the Keys game on Wednesday, President Dan Makosy and members of the Coach Search Committee reviewed the applications for Head Coach of Frederick Rugby. They decided that their first choice would be Eamon. I sent out an offer on Friday and am very pleased to say that Eamon has accepted the position. He will arrive in Frederick early in August.

I hope that you can see what a great opportunity we have here. First of all, take a moment to think. Frederick Rugby has done so well that the Club is discussed in Rugby Club bars in England and Irish Coaches want to come to the program. That is credit to all of us, players, former players, Club mates and supporters. Now let's think what we can acheive with this sort of injection of fresh ideas from a professional Irish Coach.

In order for Eamon to build-up the Frederick Rugby Program we need to do a few things for him. Most important is to make the commitment to attend practice.

We will also have to work on our fitness, outside of practice, and be open to new ideas. If we go into the Fall 1999 season together, with the desire to let Eamon help us be the best team in the Mid-Atlantic, there is no way that we can fail.

Please remember that we are representing Frederick Rugby and the people of Frederick, so be sure to extend Eamon every courtesy and due respect.