Another unexpected milestone reached

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to assist BYU's structural engineer, and architect, in the drafting of plans and details for a new stadium at South Field. The new bleachers, ticket office, and main entry were primarily intended for the benefit of the increasingly popular BYU Women's Soccer program. There was talk that the Men's Soccer and Lacrosse teams might also be able to use the new facility once in a while, but I never heard anything official...


Today, an article posted on the BYU Men's Rugby website stated that, "the BYU rugby program announced today the team would be moving to the newly renovated South Field for the upcoming 2009 season."

http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/?u=BYURUGBY&s=htosports&t=c

I am quite pleased at this news... at the prospect of a legitimate site, in look, feel, and scale, for the BYU Rugby team. Actually, I am still in disbelief, but perhaps it was providence since BYU Rugby's biggest fan helped in the drafting of the plans.

Regardless of the truth, there is no doubt that the BYU Men's Rugby team deserves this privilege. I have always talked up BYU Rugby to my work colleagues, and I recall telling them that some day there would be a rugby stadium at BYU.

Be careful what you wish for, right?

Well folks, no more portable bleachers at Helaman Field; the new stadium boasts permanent seating for over 2,000 people, every seat and bench of which has back support and is positioned to allow a good view. And with an awesome new entrance and grandstand in BYU blue, what a sweet backdrop for fans and players alike to enjoy the dynamic sport of rugby, the game of the gods!

That's not all... according to the article, "some of BYU's 2009 home games will be broadcast on BYU Television which is broadcast into over 48 million homes via satellite ... and internet streaming." Wow! When it rains, it really pours!

I can only continue to express my thanks to the coaching staff for their efforts to build the image and presence of BYU Men's Rugby and to the players for their consistent effort to excel and build upon the program's growing national and international reputation. More appropriately, I bend my knees and head in gratitude to God. I mean no sarcasm nor self-righteousness in this statement; rather, having been involved in rugby on the high school and collegiate levels, I know that any player or coach anywhere in the nation would feel overwhelmed if given the opportunity to have a real stadium and real television exposure for his or her program. 'Tis a great blessing indeed... and with it grow my hopes for this upcoming season. Go Cougars!!!

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Turning it up a few notches

So only a few minutes before publishing my previous post, the 2008 roster for the Men's team was posted on the BYU website along with commentary on various transfer players and new recruits. Looks like the team now boasts a sizable roster with much more depth and potential than previously thought. Not that all of my comments were completely overruled by the article, but the BYU team has definitely expanded more so than I perceived.

http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=BYURUGBY&sport=htosports&t=c&p=home&s=htosports

I was especially impressed to see the wide range of freshmen players that already have some quality experience to bring to the table. Perhaps BYU will increase in depth as a program to rival that of Cal Berkeley sooner than expected. I give credit to the coaching staff for their foresight and obvious effort to recruit more widely than I have ever witnessed. In fact, the recruiting efforts of only the last two or three years represented a big advance over previous years; BYU was even able to offer some scholarship assistance to a player or two. Yet, these efforts only resulted in the acquisition of a couple players a year. This year, in terms of recruiting, represents a great milestone for the BYU Men's Rugby team: 8 freshmen recruits, 3 transfer players, and a handful (perhaps two handfuls) of 'walk-ons' from tryouts.

Wow! Just when doubt would try to creep in, BYU recruiting yields dividends above and beyond those of any previous season! And think about the repercussions for recruiting in the future if BYU again debuts in the National Championship match!

No doubts anymore, my friends. Things are on the up for our team... now we must simply wait to witness the new team in action, to witness the beast devouring its prey.

I will add any posts of relevance before that time comes... but until then, kudos to the BYU Men's Rugby team coaches and staff for turning it up a few in anticipation of this upcoming season. The rest of us can breathe easy while your work has only just begun!
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The Scoop... Preseason 2008

Recently, I talked with a few BYU rugby players on campus and gleaned some tidbits about the upcoming season.

I am always anxious to know when the Cougars have their preseason bouts as sometimes the craziest rugby games happen during the Fall semester. This year, however, the BYU rugby team is going to take a break... at least from public tests. Instead, they will be focusing the whole semester on improving their strength and conditioning with some special help from the BYU football trainers.

Additionally, a couple returning starters, team captain and forward Steve St. Pierre and back Vito Qaqa, have recently undergone surgeries and will need some time to rehabilitate. So, as much as I would like to see some rugby this semester, looks like we'll all have to wait until springtime.

In talking to Steve, I also learned that the team apparently has no returning second row... no locks at all! He even invited me to come and fill the position. As fun as that would be, I have already had enough repairs to my teeth and shoulders to render me an unreliable prospect. I mentioned the lack of locks to Rob Burton, and he said that he might try to fill the spot. Rob isn't quite 6 feet tall, and I personally think he should just stick to his knitting at the flanker position instead.

I thought about last year's locks and where they went... Jacob Sohn graduated and got recruited by Belmont Shore (Super League team); Brett Clark went on a mission to Washington; Mark Anderson graduated (or is ineligible?); and Mike Ratelle won't play this year for some reason (which I don't understand). So, is there anyone left? Anyone at all???

I was in the computer lab for one of my construction management classes the other day when I overheard a guy talking about rugby and being on the team. After I got to a good stopping point in my assignment, I went over to talk to him. His name is Ryan, and he tried out for the team this year. While a missionary in New Zealand, he often saw rugby matches on weekends and occasionally participated in a few games of touch. He stood up to greet me, and I was happy to see that he is quite tall, 6'5" I later learned. Not only is he tall, but he seems to have a lot of potential, having played football in high school and having recently gotten back into conditioning and benching over 300 pounds. Let's just say I felt quite comfortable in telling him that he would be a lock for BYU... pretty much guaranteed!

And so goes the preseason, my friends...

Perhaps this year presents a good opportunity for the rebuilding of the BYU Men's Rugby team. Not only did the team lose locks, but several key players as well, such as prop Derek Smith, hooker Duran Ngakuru, and center Grant Barnes, to name a few.

In recent years, BYU has seemed to struggle in the formation of a cohesive back line, and I wonder just how deep our roster will be in terms of experienced backs. I also wonder how quickly our new forwards will be integrated into the pack, BYU's signature area of dominance.

While I am indeed concerned about the formulation of a newer team, I must also recall the lessons learned from past experiences to let optimism ride out the tide on this one. Last year, I experienced all the same sentiments: BYU had similarly lost several key players and had to look to various newcomers to step up to the task. Did they succeed? Of course. Did they return to the National Championship stage? Yes. Was it easier than the previous year? No... but they got there nonetheless, surpassing my initial expectations to be sure.

And so, in summation of my outlook for this coming year, I answer the question, "Will BYU be very successful this year?" with a somewhat proud reply, "Why would they not be???"

BYU Rugby, KIA KAHA!
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