BYU vs. Cal Rugby: Learn from the Past ...

Watch on YouTube HD: BYU vs Cal Rugby 2009 National Championship Highlight

While much can be said of the BYU Men's Rugby team during this 2011 season—much good, and most recently, some not the greatest—nevertheless the week leading up to yet another Cal-BYU rematch for the National Title tends to leave one without sage words readily at hand ...

Permit me to borrow a few in the interest of time:

"Learn from the past, prepare for the future, live in the present."

— Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Let these words sink in for a moment, then remember the glory of an unforgettable day gone by ... the kind of day we hope to relive in the very near future!

Cougars on three: one ... two ... three ... COU-GARS!!!

(Video courtesy of BYU Rugby Forever)
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BYU Rugby Fanhood Test #2: Prize Winners

Without further delay, BYU Rugby Forever is pleased to announce the winners of the the Super Gift Giveaway!!!

First place: Adam McMurtrey

Second place: Jenilyn Su'a

Third place: Drew and Teresa Allred

Happy holidays and thank you to all of you BYU Rugby Fans for your participation and support!

And many congratulations to our winners! Their stories will be posted shortly...

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BYU Bookstore sells out of BYU Rugby DVD, honors BYU Rugby Team

Well folks, if you've been trying to get your hands on a copy of the BYU Rugby 2009 DVD from the BYU Bookstore in the last week or so, chances are you haven't had much luck! I even tried to go pick up a copy myself, and they said that the video had sold out and was probably on order... fancy that! Maybe some people out there do like this rugby thing after all!

And as an added treat for BYU Rugby fans and friends living in close proximity to Provo, you may want to come to campus and take a moment to check out the BYU Bookstore display case in the Wilkinson Center... looking very picturesque if I do say so myself!

On display are some team photographs, jerseys, the Wasatch Cup and National Championship trophies, autographed rugby balls, and (my personal favorite) the ESPNU version of the Title Match against Cal Berkeley continually playing on a TV! The display case is located in a high-traffic spot where unsuspecting students and passers by can't help but stop to watch The Miracle again and again!

BYU Rugby, folks... it's catching on... maybe faster than we think! (Oh, and a few more National Titles would help!)

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BYU Bookstore Ad for BYU Rugby 2009 DVD

If you get a chance to visit the BYU Bookstore in Provo in the near future, take a moment to check out the ads cycling through on the overhead TVs... you just might see this ad for the new BYU Rugby 2009 DVD, now available in the BYU Bookstore. Enjoy!

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BYU Rugby 2009 Highlight Video Update

Although an official press release is still in the works, I am nevertheless proud to offer a brief update on the progress of the first-ever, high definition BYU Rugby highlight video. I recently met with our camera crew, Ben Thompson and Micah Brown, to discuss video editing, advertising, sales, distribution, and other details. (New video cover art by Ben Thompson; photo by Paul Meyers)


At this point, I am pleased to announce that the video will include more than an hour of total content with extended footage of the National Title match against Cal Berkeley. The video will also feature an interactive menu that allows the viewing of match highlights on an individual or sequential basis. An official release date anticipated for early or mid June will be set in the next couple of weeks.

I wish to reiterate the fact that this video is not a documentary; it does not feature interviews or commentary. Rather, it is simply a highlight video, a compilation of great BYU Rugby match moments throughout the 2009 season.

Donations to the BYU Rugby 2009 Highlight Video are still being accepted, and one may join in this effort by simply clicking the "Donate" button on the sidebar. Payment will be sent securely via PayPal, all major credit cards accepted. In return for a minimum donation of $20, BYU Rugby Forever will guarantee the donor a DVD copy of the final product. A complimentary copy in high definition Blu-ray will be offered for donations of $50 or more. Feel free to email byurugbyforever@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

Please remember, my friends, that a very significant amount of time, money, and effort have gone into this production. Your small donation represents only a tiny fraction of the total project cost. In all honesty, you the donor are the one truly benefiting here by receiving a product much more valuable than your minimal money sacrifice.

Finally, my sincerest thanks go out to all those donors who have contributed to this project thus far. Up until now, a total of $916 have been raised to help subsidize this effort. Thank you so much for showing your willingness to support BYU Rugby Forever's efforts to promote the BYU Rugby team. Looks like we all picked the right year to do so!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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BYU Rugby Commercial featured on ESPNU

My film crew (for the upcoming highlight video) recently collaborated directly with the BYU Rugby team to make this commercial for the National Guard "Game of the Week" that aired on ESPNU. Great work, Ben and Micah!

See the BYU Rugby website for the official press release with further details on the commercial as well as the upcoming BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009 endeavor. Also, here is the youtube link if you wish to view the commercial full-screen.

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BYU RUGBY 2009: Official Trailer - HD version!

Our camera man, Ben Thompson, just uploaded a High Def version of the highlight video trailer to youtube... let's just say that High Definition is amazing!!! (Remember, a $50 donation to the video project will guarantee you a copy in HD!)

View the video here, or to view full screen, click this link, select "HD" at the bottom of the player, full-screen it, and enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sToOL-oa4Q4

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BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009: Official Trailer!

Without further delay, BYU Rugby Forever is proud to present the Official Trailer for the upcoming BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009! Enjoy, and feel free to share this video with your fellow fans, friends, and family!



Remember, all donations to this project will go toward subsidizing the production costs. My new goal is to raise $1,000 by April 15, two days before the BYU Rugby team plays in the Sweet 16! My sincerest thanks goes out to those who have already donated a grand total of $210! We're already a fifth of the way there! Thank you so much for your support!!! Not only will this money help subsidize my initial investment in the project, but it will also allow my camera crew to make the trip to Atlanta to film the team in National Tournament play! And a special thanks to Ben Thompson and Micah Brown for all their great filming thus far...

Please donate now to support in this great effort, to give Our team a much-deserved memento and quality bit of recognition for their hard work to become BYU's greatest sports team! Please offer a small token of support with a donation of $50 or $20 or whatever you can... just click the "Donate" button located on the sidebar to submit your contribution securely and easily online. In return for your generosity, you will receive a DVD or Blu-ray copy of the final product with my compliments.

Thank you. I have sacrificed much for this honor to become a reality... and it has all been worth it. I invite you to join with me in this rewarding effort as we witness Our team again approach the pinnacle of collegiate rugby! BYU Rugby Forever!

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BYU Rugby Fanhood Test #1

Hey BYU Rugby fans! There always comes a time when each and every one of us must 'prove our grit' so to speak... Well, that time is now!

Take a moment, and see if you've got enough BYU Rugby fanhood to pass this little test (no cheating allowed!). Post your answers in a reply to this post (without looking at the answers given by others), and the first person to correctly answer all ten questions will receive a "BYU Rugby Super Fan" shirt, compliments of BYU Rugby Forever.


1. Name at least five players on the current BYU Rugby starting lineup.

2. In what year was the BYU Rugby team founded?

3. Name at least one of the BYU Rugby coaches and his nation of origin.

4. Have you donated to the Cougar Rugby Foundation this year?

5. How many National Tournament appearances (at least Sweet 16) has the BYU Rugby team made in the last five years?

6. How many BYU Rugby matches, home or away, have you attended in the last two years?

7. Do you already have your tickets to the upcoming ESPNU Game of the Week against Utah?

8. Name at least three All-Americans and one US Eagle that played for the BYU Rugby team.

9. Have you already donated to the BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009 effort?

10. Who does the BYU Rugby team play this coming weekend?

If you can confidently and positively answer all these questions, then I congratulate you on being a true BYU Rugby fan of unquestionable fanhood!

If not... well... there's still a chance for you to become converted. Come to a game; check out the BYU Rugby website; or send me a message... everyone can become a BYU Rugby fan!

Now, for those of you who found this test to be too easy... you have my deep respect. I can only ask for your continued support in making BYU the #1 collegiate rugby program in the nation and in converting dozens of fans along the way...

Thank you to all you devoted fans of the BYU Rugby team; may success ever be our goal!

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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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Crosstown Rivalry 2009: BYU vs. UVU

Just yesterday, BYU humbled its closest neighbor and crosstown rival, Utah Valley University, by a score of 56-0. The match, although a shutout, was nevertheless hard-fought by the Wolverines who threatened to cross the goal line on multiple occasions but to no avail. Nearly fifteen minutes in, the match remained scoreless as both teams struggled to fully break through the opposition's defense.

In contrast to the first half hour of the game, however, BYU proceeded to methodically punch holes in the UVU line to touch down several times before the final whistle. I wasn't able to stay for the seconds' game, but I saw in the article posted on the BYU Rugby website that it was surely more of a blowout than the first match to the tune of 84 points to none.

I just want to offer my congratulations to the BYU men on a solid win... and my respects to the UVU side who nevertheless deserves recognition for fending off BYU's offensive, if only for the first fifteen minutes (which accomplishment, as mentioned in a previous post, actually distinguishes just how solid and strong a team is when facing off against BYU's seasoned squad).

Remember, my friends, that UVU finished last season with a National Runner-up status, equivalent to that of BYU, the only difference being that UVU still plays at the Division II level. I was actually a tad anxious to see how Utah's newest 'rugby powerhouse' would perform against BYU, especially given last season's unusually low-scoring and tough match (the final score of which was only 37-3; not exactly a pummeling by BYU's standards!).

But perhaps this shutout win for BYU thus reveals a better coordinated and unified offense as compared to last year. My extra credit goes to the backline for establishing more fluid passing plays by being in the right places at all the right times. And one try in particular truly blew my mind (I'll have to check the game film to verify, but I swear there was one phase in which nearly eight or nine Cougars touched the ball in a non-stop effort that went the entire length of the field)! Talk about a fine display of textbook rugby, man oh man!

(Looks like y'all will only be able to see what I mean by ordering a copy of the BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009 currently in production!)

So, that's that, folks... I could go on, but the upcoming matches on the BYU Rugby schedule look to be more definitive 'tests' and as such will surely provide even more opportunity for commentary...

Good luck to our boys in the coming weeks as they prepare for their toughest bouts yet this season against the highly-touted Super League squad, the Denver Barbarians, and later, against BYU's most great and worthy opponent, the rival Utes of Utah!

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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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BYU Men's Rugby Highlight Video 2009 Update!

My friends, the plans for the first ever, BYU Rugby highlight video in High Definition are well on their way to becoming a reality...

I recently met again with Ben Thompson and his business partner, Micah Brown, to discuss our needs and plans to make this video a reality. Basically, these guys know what they're doing, so the final product will surely be an amazing tribute to our team! Two cameras will be used to film all home games (and all tournament games if enough people contribute); one camera will capture a broader view of the gameplay from a fixed position whereas the other camera will run the sideline capturing the action up close and personal. Filming will start this Saturday at the first home game against Weber State University!

To get this project started, I have put my money where my mouth is... $350.00 of my personal funds have gone toward the procurement of the necessary materials for the first few games. Yes, this hefty sum means a lot to someone still in college, but I have faith that BYU Rugby fans everywhere would so contribute if they could.

And guess what??? ... You can contribute!

By donating only $20.00, you will not only aid the cause of promoting BYU's greatest sport, but you will also receive a DVD copy of your own!

Simply click the "Donate" button on the sidebar to submit your payment quickly and securely online to our "BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009" account with PayPal. All donations will be given directly to the film crew for production costs.

(Anyone wishing to receive a Blu-ray copy may contact me by clicking the button beneath my profile picture for more details)

And so we shall create the saga of the BYU Rugby team in glorious HD fashion!

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