Dear BYUtv ... It's Time

BYU Rugby needs BYUtv ... just like  BYUtv needs BYU Rugby!    

If you've been paying attention to recent BYU Rugby news and commentary, you'll know that a plethora of BYU fans the nation over have been clamoring for quality live coverage of BYU Rugby games to be provided by BYUtv. To spur on this effort, the BYU Rugby team just recently started a campaign wherein anyone can submit their contact information and comments to be sent directly to BYUtv for this purpose.

I urge everyone and anyone to join in the campaign. It's not just for the benefit of a few BYU Rugby Fans in Utah; rather, it improves the whole of the Rugby community, nationally and even internationally, in so many ways. By getting BYU Rugby back on BYUtv, the bar will be raised while BYUtv will be recognized as the primary pioneering support thereof. The time is now for BYUtv to fully embrace and support BYU's most successful sport, Rugby!

If you haven't yet submitted your thoughts, do so now on the BYU Rugby website!!!

Finally, to add a little more fuel, allow me to share my thoughts that I sent to BYUtv:

Dear BYUtv Management:

While it must be obvious by now that the BYU Men's Rugby team is one of the most successful BYU Sports teams, perhaps the resultant popularity and fan support thereof has not similarly been appreciated. This past Saturday, the annual rivalry match between BYU and Utah, the 'Wasatch Cup', brought 3,833 paid spectators in the first half alone. A conservative estimate of increased attendance in the second half would easily push this number above 4,500, if not to 5,000 ... certainly not a far cry from South Field's attendance record for Women's Soccer (listed as 4,742 for BYU vs. Colorado on 09/08/06).

Perhaps even more important than this swelling of local support for BYU Rugby is the increasing support of and attention to the sport of Rugby in the United States, not to mention the popularity of the sport that is already deeply entrenched around the World. Fans everywhere, foreign and domestic, unified by LDS Church membership, love to see 'their team' win in one of the most dynamic and demanding sports known to mankind. And again more importantly, fans everywhere, foreign and domestic, not members of the LDS Church but nonetheless unified by love of the sport, enjoy seeing solid competition and sportsmanship, especially given BYU's elite status in American Rugby.

This situation presents a two-fold opportunity for BYUtv. First, it's a chance to claim a pioneering position in the realm of college rugby media where there is presently little to no professional competition. By establishing BYUtv as the portal for the display of college rugby, fans throughout the US will quickly know where they can go to see college rugby presented in the best quality way. Call it a golden opportunity to 'get in on the ground floor' while Rugby is still young in the United States.

Second, compound this opportunity to be a pioneer for Rugby in America by considering the impact of humanitarian and missionary messages shared with viewers in conjunction with the sport. Throughout the past century, Rugby has proven to be a great ambassador for good throughout the world, even recently enjoying inclusion for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Just imagine the synergy created by joining this force for good with what we members of the LDS Church know to be the greatest force for good in existence, the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Suffice it to say that the effects, especially on an international level, have the potential to far outweigh that of any BYU sport, even Football. The Gospel is universal. Rugby is universal. Present them together, and two universal worlds are united and magnified for the better. 

According to the BYUtv.org main page, "BYU Broadcasting is an integrated media organization that inspires people to see, do, and be the good in the world by providing uplifting content, magnifying the university, engaging like-minded communities, and elevating ideals into action." If there exists a BYU sport most closely aligned with this mission, it is BYU Rugby. The setting at this very moment in time and place is ideal. Before it's too late, before BYU Rugby grows even bigger in popularity and recognition, BYUtv has the singular opportunity, even now, to be the universal ambassador for BYU's greatest sport.

With all my hope and might, I urge you to regularly incorporate BYU Rugby games and spots into your seasonal broadcast schedule. We, the BYU Rugby Fan community, aren't just anxious for your support; we're willing to offer our support as well to see it happen. If there is anything that we can do to advance and enable the process, please don't hesitate to advise us.

Best regards and BYU Rugby Forever!
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BYU Rugby Team featured in YouTube clip

Thanks to an anonymous comment on the previous post, I found this fun YouTube video clip. It features footage of the BYU Rugby team's win against Cal interspersed among clips of other college matches between teams, such as, Cal, San Diego State, Penn State, and others. BYU Winger Vito Qaqa appears to have been the subject of the most photogenic scenes, appearing in many of the spots highlighting the BYU Rugby team.

The message of the video is simple: American college rugby is the greatest, most addicting sport out there for players and fans alike. And, of course, there's BYU at the heart of it all!

Enjoy!

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BYU Rugby Lock Kyle Sumsion: Interview of the Week

This week's featured guest for the continuing "Interview of the Week" series is BYU Lock Kyle Sumsion. A model of tenacity on the field, Kyle's persistent efforts aided in the BYU Rugby team's first National Title. His relentlessness and endurance as a lock enabled him to be in the right places at the right times to keep the drive alive: running the ball, gathering line-outs, rucking, tackling, and supporting his teammates... all as a freshman. As a result, Kyle was named an All-American Honorable Mention.

And along with Apenisa Malani, Kyle was also recently recognized for his consistent and supportive play, both defensively and offensively throughout the entire season, with a BYU Rugby Forever Anchor Award. (Photo courtesy of Paul Meyers)


BYU Rugby Forever:
As you are preparing to leave and serve a mission for the LDS church in the coming months, has it been a tough decision for you to make, to walk away in the midst of so much momentum and success on the collegiate level? Thoughts?

Kyle Sumsion:
I recently received my mission call to the Argentina Buenos Aires South mission. Even though the decision to walk away was hard, I know that I will be so much more blessed because of it. I was invited to play for the US Under-20 team and that would have been an awesome experience, but I am going to miss playing with the BYU team a lot more.

BYU Rugby Forever:
How did it feel to score a try as a freshman in a National Title match against Cal? What were your thoughts up to and in that crucial moment?

Kyle Sumsion:
As far as scoring the try, I just placed [the ball] down. Jordan Lowry and Mikey Su'a did all the grunt work to get it right down by the try zone. However, it was a very cool feeling scoring the try. All I was really thinking about at that moment was just making sure I scored.

BYU Rugby Forever:
You were recently selected as a Collegiate All-American Honorable Mention as well as a BYU Rugby Forever Anchor Award recipient. What do these accolades mean to you? What are your ambitions and goals for your rugby career in the future?

Kyle Sumsion:
To receive both of those awards was such an honor. But all of the credit goes to my coaches and teammates for helping me progress to where I am. I'm not really sure what the rugby future holds for me other than BYU has 4 more national titles to win while I am there.

BYU Rugby Forever:
What were the greatest moments/highlights of the 2008-09 season for you? Any humorous experiences?

Kyle Sumsion:
Winning the National Championship was definitely the highlight of the season. Also, Mike Price and I were competing to see who could score more varsity trys; I scored 1 and he scored 0, so that was a definite highlight. All the players and coaches were so close this year that we were always joking around at the appropriate times, and that made rugby so much fun.

BYU Rugby Forever:
For a freshman, you displayed an exceptionally high level of consistency and dependability on the field, starting nearly every match of the 2008-09 season. If you could offer any advice or counsel to incoming freshmen recruits, what would you say?

Kyle Sumsion:
Work hard and make your tackles.

BYU Rugby Forever:
Any words you'd like to offer to all BYU Rugby alumni and fans out there?

Kyle Sumsion:
Thank you so much for all of your support. You are the reason why we are where we are today. BYU has the best fans in the world.

BYU Rugby Forever:
Kyle, congratulations on the National Championship win and national honors! Good luck on your mission!
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BYU Rugby Flanker Apenisa Malani: Interview of the Week

The "Interview of the Week" series continues with this week's guest, BYU Flanker Apenisa Malani. Apenisa's solid efforts on the pitch throughout the course of the past season played a crucial role in the Cougars' first-ever National Title win and, not surprisingly, also led to national individual honors with a selection to the All-American squad.

Apenisa was also recently recognized for his consistent support, both offensively and defensively, with a BYU Rugby Forever Anchor Award. (Photo courtesy of Paul Meyers)


BYU Rugby Forever:
What does it mean to you to win a National Championship for BYU? Feelings? Thoughts? Stories?

Apenisa Malani:
Winning the National Championship meant a lot to me. It meant a reward for the sacrifice made by so many individuals: players, coaching staff, fans, alumni, sponsors, family, etc. These were people that I also played for, and I really hope that the win can be a way of thanking them for their support.

BYU Rugby Forever:
What were the greatest moments/highlights of the 2008-09 season for you?

Apenisa Malani:
Winning the National Championship.

BYU Rugby Forever:
You were recently selected as a Collegiate All-American as well as a BYU Rugby Forever Anchor Award recipient. What do these accolades mean to you? Any aspirations to eventually play rugby at the next level?

Apenisa Malani:
I was very happy to be selected into the All-American squad this year. I really wanted to be a part of the [touring squad] but due to financial constraints and visa problems I was not able to. With regards to the [BYU Rugby Forever Anchor Award], I am grateful to be a recipient and also would like to share the award with the rest of the players who have worked really hard throughout the season without any recognition.

BYU Rugby Forever:
The BYU Rugby team often receives flack for having several Polynesian/Melanesian and older, married players on their roster. Being a Fijian Islander and newlywed (by the way, congratulations!), how do your culture, age, and recent marriage affect you as a collegiate rugby player? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Apenisa Malani:
Well, in some ways I see it as an advantage, but there is also the other side of the coin. Being married and from Fiji has its challenging moments too. There is more responsibility now and I really have to work more, go to school, and also try and be fit and healthy for rugby. Most of us from the islands do not have families here that could readily assist us when we need it.

BYU Rugby Forever:
In your opinion, how did the BYU Rugby team manage to pull off such a miraculous win over Cal this year? Any thoughts on the possibility of the BYU Rugby team taking the National Title again in coming years?

Apenisa Malani:
All of the preparation (training) and the experiences that we went through prior to the National Championship game prepared us well to meet the challenge. Our desire to win ultimately stood out in that game and was rewarded. Like Coach Smyth said, we would not want this win to be a one-shot thing. It is possible to win another title and, with everyone's help, we can do it again.

BYU Rugby Forever:
If you could say anything to BYU Rugby alumni and fans, what would you say?

Apenisa Malani:
I would like to sincerely thank all the supporters and fans who gave of their time, talent, and resources to make our season a successful and a memorable one. They have also assisted us in fulfilling our dream to win a National Championship Title. For some of us, your support has made it possible for us to be here attending Brigham Young University. Big THANK YOU to you all.

BYU Rugby Forever:
Thank you, Apenisa, and many congratulations on the National Championship win and national honors!
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A nod to Rugby America

Just wanted to let you know of the latest, most refreshing perspective on American collegiate and professional rugby: Rugby America. I have found this site to provide informative commentary as well as all of the latest news, scores, and rugby links. On occasions when the BYU Rugby team has an away game, this site poses the best bet for getting match results before the rest.


Moreover, the site author/webmaster obviously goes to great lengths to increase the exposure of rugby in the U.S. as evidenced by a recent post regarding our very own, up and coming, BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009!

So take a moment, browse the site, and check out the latest post on Rugby America featuring commentary in anticipation of this weekend's BYU-Utah rivalry match, the Wasatch Cup!
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BYU Rugby's first home game of the season!

Today, the BYU Rugby team faced off against Weber State University in what turned out to be yet another dominant display of BYU might, a shutout, 65-0 win.

I must admit I had been quite anxious to attend this first home game... no, I wasn't worried about a potential loss or fearing anything else; rather, I was just wondering what it would be like to see our boys in action for the first time this season (especially after 'talking them up' so much to everyone!). I hadn't even thought about the fact that BYU wouldn't start many of its standout players, and so I was somewhat subconsciously disappointed when I saw that only three or four starters were out on the field.

The match, in spite of its confined location on the football team's artificial practice field, was nevertheless well-attended. As often happens, I spent much of the game feebly attempting to explain the rules, positions, and other features of the game not found in any sport besides rugby. And, as similarly happens frequently, I would glance back to the action only to find that BYU had scored once again. It all seemed rather lacking in intensity as to not merit much involvement from the crowd... but of course, this match was essentially a scrimmage for BYU's seconds to gain some experience.

No snide offense intended toward Weber State, but I wouldn't really be surprised if they shared the same sentiments... that is, they knew they were going to be cannon fodder for one of the best teams in the nation (you know, kind of like everyone else when playing against Cal Berkeley!). At any rate, I don't mean to give the BYU secondary too much credit either as they looked less than stellar in terms of their execution; the abundance of knock-ons was enough to make a man swear! Bad passes and mispositioned hands are not a good combination, especially in rugby where the results can be devastating.

For this reason, as well as a number of injuries and penalties, the whole of the gameplay seemed rather sloppy and stop-start. I must remind myself and all of us, however, that I was once one of these inexperienced and overzealous players who would probably give anything to be able to knock the ball on once more or get penalized for a dangerous tackle once again!

Okay, okay... perhaps I overstep the bounds in revealing too much about my own, short-lived rugby career... nevertheless, my friends, the moral of the story is that this win over Weber State proves that all rugby players, especially those Americans new to the sport, lack control and composure to some degree when in the learning stages (again, I include myself on this one!). The win was solid by the numbers, yes... but in my opinion, the BYU seconds still have more to learn, and honestly, what more can we expect? All things considered, they did their job, gained valuable experience, and hopefully learned from their mistakes.

Hats off to our boys on a good win, and hopefully things only get better from here! (I am, after all, hoping for an oversupply of awesome sequences for our BYU Rugby HD highlight video now in filming!)

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