Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

Short post tonight...last night at practice we were having a water break after our "fitness interlude" and one my mates was buddy taping one of her fingers. I asked if she was OK and she quickly responded, "I'm fine, I just strained some ligaments."

I raise my LARGE GLASS OF WATER (I'm hydrating for Nash Bash already) to all those players that play through the pain. The hamstring pull, twisted fingers, tweaked ankles, torn ligaments...thank you everyone.

Your strength is unparalleled, your toughness is legendary and your heart will go on...here's to you...

Where: Austin, TX
When: May 12 or 26, 2007
What: Rugby Tournament
Why: We all love to play rugby in dresses!

Motley sides, club teams, collegiate teams, over 40, over 50...whatever you want, we will have it!

Stay tuned ladies!!! It is going to be a blast!!! More details to come...





Images borrowed from here.

From Against the Head's blog, check out this awesome rugby music video...here. (Blogger keeps giving me errors when I try and post the video...argh)

Also, check out pictures from the Champagne Classic...here.

I think that is it for the alerts, myspace posts, emails and more for me today....

Have a beautiful day!

The consequences of being away for a weekend are vast! Jeez, just getting caught up on my normal doings at the gym today. Sometimes I LOVE being a manager and sometimes it just plain sucks. Oh well, it pays the bills and more importantly pays the RUGBY FETISH I have. :)

Few tidbits I heard over the weekend:

• CU defeated Army in a Cup match. WOW! There have been some major upsets in the collegiate world in the last couple of weeks.
  
  
• Baton Rouge vs. Houston last week 7-20, not sure if it was a cup match or not.
  
  
• Support the Women's National 7s Team
  USA Rugby 3.13.07 - The US Women's 7s Team is looking for sponsors for the 2007 US Women’s 7s Team selected to go to Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens Tournament, March 25-April 2.
  
  Sponsor a 7s Eagle and they will PERSONALLY connect you to the Hong Hong 7s Invitational whilst there. There are two donation levels:
  For your donation of $200 or more you will receive:
  
  1. e-mails from your sponsored Eagle giving you the "play by play" of their experience
  2. a team photo
  3. a team post card
  
  For a $500 donation or more you will receive:
  
  1. e-mails from your sponsored Eagle giving you the "play by play" of their experience
  2. a team photo
  3. a team post card
  4. an official Hong Kong 7s jersey
  
  You may sponsor any National 7s Team player or staff member. Contact the Women's 7s National Team to place your sponsorship pledge and select the "7s Star" you would like to sponsor!
  
  
  The Women’s Sevens Team headed to Hong Kong includes:
  
  * Phaidra Knight (New York Rugby Club)
  * Amy Daniels (Beantown)
  * Alison Price (NYRC)
  * Inez Rodriguez (Keystone)
  * Christy Ringgenberg (Minnesota Valkyries)
  * Ellie Karvoski (Little Rock)
  * Jen Starkey (NOVA)
  * Teena Maestrangelo (Chicago North Shore)
  * Yancy Graf (Beantown)
  * Jo Ward (Albany)
  
  The Women’s Sevens Team staff includes:
  
  * Julie McCoy, Head Coach
  * Chris Ryan, Assistant Coach
  * Sadeana Green, Team Manager
  * Beet McKinnon, Physio
  * Chris Franz, Program Administrator
  * Mark Santiago, Sheri Hunt & Drew Fautley, Staff Coaches
  
  
• I already blogged about my Alumni weekend experience...but I was wondering about everyone else. Does your team celebrate an alumni weekend? Do you play rugby? Do you play 7's? Is drinking involved? Money? What funny rules do you have?
  
  I bet everyone's experience is slightly different! Share! Share!
  

A feeling of walking home...when I stepped on the pitch in Oklahoma yesterday. I arrived an hour before everyone else and spent some time walking the grounds. This field is where I played my first rugby game. Where I first believed that when you posted the ball, no one could touch it! How wrong I was! What a silly little rookie I was, running zulus, singing songs, fundraising, concessions, wins & losses, tears and smiles...so many memories.

It was like a high school reunion...all the old friends, flings, teammates and alumni. Oh and the dogs! I of course brought Jake, but it seems that everyone has gotten a a dog over the last year. Puppies, big dogs...very interesting. I put some pictures of my best times & the worst times at that field randomly throught this post. Enjoy!

The first match of the day was Oklahoma vs. Arkansas...we've played them almost every year as an alumni match. The teams are both in re-building years, but played well and played hard. I got to play in the second half as a sub at fullback. I reveled in being free and being able to wander as I wanted. Arkansas never kicked, so I was mostly directing traffic and being the big voice that I am. The OU centers were brand new and not very confident on defense, so I made it easy for them. I gave the AR backs nick names...and it was hilarious! Fancy, Ugly, Scrumcap and Gloves...it seemed to help the girls remember who they were marking and lightened the mood. Thanks for being good sports Arkansas!

The second match of the day was the OU Men vs. the OU Alumni. Of course the OU Alumni were victorious and drove to the try line again and again. There were rolling subs so we got to see all the legends at OU step on the pitch again. Tarzan, Branden Farris, all the Velies, Larry Naifeh, and all the young guys that taught me so much. It was lovely to see the pitch full of rugby fans, players, supporters and more. Loved it.

The last and final match of the day was the FEATURE match of the day. At least I think it was! The men were done for the day and I LOVE that they stayed and cheered us on. They really love our club and have been so supportive! Thank you so much OU MEN!

OU Varsity vs. OU Alumni
The alumni side was stacked with alumni players and recent alumni players. Our team was blessed with experience, fitness and heart. At one point the back line was counting up the years of experience and it was over 30! Pretty amazing. The game was a blast with the opening drive resulting in a try by the Alumni. The scoring didn't stop even with rolling subs as we brought fresh legs in! I didn't keep score but it was at least 5 or 6 tries to zero at the end of the game.

Great rugby was played on that pitch again. Great rugby will always be on that pitch. I am proud that I was part of that family. Thank you so much my friends.

Tuesday night my team had practice and we practiced in standing water! It had been raining for two straight days and when I say raining I really mean POURING. I mean really, Noah was building his ark next to our pitch and laughing at us! It was definitely an experience, luckily it was warm rain so we weren't chilly.

So of course we all turned into little girls and warm up quickly became who could splash whom the most! I never knew that the plyometric karaoke could mean I can splash Burns on every switch of my feet! We only made it about 30 minutes before the lightning lit up the sky, and so we were all drenched...but it felt good to get out and get some fitness in.

We finished up the night at Bagpipes a bar that shows rugby and had a chalk talk. Unfortunately their wasn't any rugby on, so we watched some soccer and then split into forwards and backs to do our chalk talk. I went with the forwards since we were going over line out calls etc, and I looked over at the backs who were playing HANG MAN!! ha ha...I was jealous for a bit, but then the complicated X's, O's and lines came out and they were concentrating.

And some e-news from my Inbox:

• SPRING BREAK! Most schools are on spring break or getting ready to have Spring Break. What is your team doing for Spring Break
  
  Texas A&M traveled to the Champagne Classic and made quite a showing! They defeated Utah State, barely lost to Army (15-12) and lost to UCSD. On Tuesday they played Army again and defeated them 13-12. Great work ladies! Looking forward to Westerns!
  
  Oklahoma is having their annual Alumni Weekend with a round of Golf this morning, matches tomorrow, a Pig Roast Saturday night and a Brunch on Sunday for the lady ruggers. Here is the schedule of games:
  
  Saturday, March 17, 12:30pm
  OU Roses versus Arkansas Iron Maidens
  
  Saturday, March 17, 2:00pm
  OU Varsity Men vs. The Prestigious Alumni Men
  
  Saturday, March 17, 3:30pm
  OU Varsity Women vs. The Prestigious Alumni Women
  
  Saturday, March 17, 6:00pm
  Pig Roast with all the trimmings
  OU Rugby Clubhouse, corner of Brooks and Trout
  
  Sunday, March 18, 10:00am-1:00pm
  Survivors Brunch
  
  *I will be in attendance ladies! Welcome back to Oklahoma Wendy!
  
  
• Online Rugby Magazine - DSM Rugby
  The new issue of Rugby Magazine is now online! Pass this link onto your friends, its a full-color online rugby magazine and its FREE!
  
  
  
• Collegiate Westerns @ Univ of Colorado - Apr 6-8, 2007
  The brackets are shaping up...the tentative schedule is posted below.
  
  Friday April 6, 2007
  Men's matches at noon and 2pm.
  
  Saturday April 7, 2007
  8:30am #2 Oklahoma vs. #7 ER3 (TBD)
  8:30am #3 New Mexico vs. #6 Wayne State
  8:30am #1 ER1 (TBD) vs. #8 Truman State
  9:50am #4 ER2 (TBD) vs. #5 Texas A&M
  
  Consolation Matches start at 2:10pm
  Semi-finals are at 3:30pm
  
  Sunday April 8, 2007
  8:00am Women's 7th/8th Place
  8:00am Women's 5th/6th Place
  10:10am Women's 3rd/4th Place
  1:oopm Women's Championships
  
  The brackets are updated almost every two weeks, so check back often! Here is the link.
  
  
• "Celtic con Carne" - the Olde Girls rugby club green chili cook-off fundraiser to take place on St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) @ Alexander's Mexican Restaurant. Kick-off is 5 PM with a cook-off start time of 6 PM. If you have any questions please e-mail Puff @ spuff76@yahoo.com.
  
  We would greatly appreciate any and all support for this event. This is a chance to show off your culinary skills and share good times with some ruggers working to raise funds to travel for the new West women's league structure. Hope to see you in Glendale soon!!
  
  
• iDiva
  A mother who is coming to grips with her daughter playing rugby. Very cute! Here is a little piece of the blog:
  
  "My daughter, who's grown (and...um...should know better) plays for the Memphis Women's Rugby Football Club (see action photo above). The women, all accomplished and bright, enjoy knocking the crap out of their opponents on Saturdays at Toby Park, then donning skirts on Monday morning to show off their bruises at work."
  
  My Favorite Comment:
  "A true rugger has to think on their feet to escape an attacking defense. A true rugger has to learn every position so they can benefit their team in any way needed. A true rugger must be able to make a big hit or stop. Lastly, a true rugger must learn to rise again off their butt after taking a big hit. Intelligence, aggressiveness, determination, and strength are all things a mother tries to teach their daughter to prepare them for the world. Being apart of a rugby club, team, or organization can enforce all those things "mama said" as a child. I, a proud rugger, know my mother instilled these characteristics in me and to see her cheer vibrantly for my team lets me know this is true. It could be the fact she wears our team sweat shirt all the time too but she is my mom."
  
  
• Rough Stock 10's - Boulder, CO
  We are excited to announce the first annual Rough Stock 10s tournament in
  Boulder, CO!
  
  The inaugural event invites women's teams to play on Saturday, May 12 at the South Boulder Recreational Center.
  
  The matches will be followed by fun and celebration in the heart of Boulder. Denver's Black Ice as well as the St. Louis Sabres will be playing a league match that day. So come out and support women's rugby!
  
  Registration is just $150 per team, or $15 per individual if you are looking to fill in or play on a motley team. Space is limited, so sign up now to confirm your attendance! Email rugby@mediatorh.net for more information better yet check out our website at http://boulderbabesrugby.com/roughstock
  

• The UK petitioning the Prime Minister for more Access to Women's Rugby
  Interesting little petition...simple but to the point!
  
  
• Nash Bash update! We are traveling to Nash Bash next week and I am getting more and more excited! The last time I attended Nash Bash it was FREEZING and we had to pray to the Sun Gods for a beam of sunlight. Hopefully the weather will be better this year as the competition at this tournament is high caliber, like the top 10 teams in the nation will be in attendance! Great job Nashville!
  
  
• Western Rugby All Star Senior Tryouts Info
  A reminder that planning for the West Senior Women's All Star 2007 season is underway! Please note the warm up weekend has been moved from Boulder to Kansas City.
  
  PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO YOUR TEAMS!!
  
  The West Senior Women's All Stars welcome back our head coach Mark Bullock, assistant coach Geoff Olde and myself, Susan Stabler, team manager. Our trainer is Amy Valenta.
  
  For the 2007 season we will have an LAU tournament replacing the local camps and try out weekends. The West has invited us to hold the tourn in Ft. Worth April 28 & 29, in conjunction with the men's DI, DII and DII club championships. The West Men's Collegiate All Stars and the Boy's High Schools will also be there. It will be a big weekend- so plan to attend!
  
  There will be 4 LAU teams- ER, HOA, TX and MO. OZ will combine with MO and RG and GP will combine with HOA. These teams are beginning to have meetings and training, so join in SOON!
  
  The 4 LAU teams and their contacts are:
  Eastern Rockies- Karl Ohlsen, ohlsenk@hotmail.com
  Heart of America- KJ Abel, kjrstena@hotmail.com
  Missouri- Amy Gallop, gallop9@msn.com
  Texas- Rachel Suniga Osborn, rachel@austin.rr.com
  
  The other LAU contacts are:
  Great Plains- Curtis Cochran, sfcrowrugby@aim.com
  Ozark- Karen Monson, kmonson2004@yahoo.com
  Rio Grande- Paul Mullins, pgmm03@gmail.com
  
  Matches will be played on Saturday. If possible, Mark will meet with the teams at check in to express expectations for the weekend. I will also be sending out information beforehand.
  
  The intent of the matches is to observe players in a competitive situation for selection to the West All Star pool. Saturday night there will be a get-together to announce selections. Selected players will have training from 9:30 am- 1 pm on Sunday Please make your travel plans accordingly.
  
  The 24 selected players will participate in training and two warm up matches vs the Midwest All Stars on May 19 & 20 in Kansas City, MO.
  
  The 24 selected players will participate in training and the NASC tournament June 13- 17 in Blaine, Minn.
  
  Please contact your LAU rep listed above or myself to participate.
  Let's have a great season!
  See you in Ft. Worth!
  
  Susan Stabler
  Manager, WRFU Senior Women's All Stars
  sswest04@aol.com
  

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More and more news is coming through my inbox these days...seems like everyone is blogging, myspacing, facebooking or using some means of communication on the web. I love it!

• Making the Hard Yards - A great article from a non-rugby player, promoting rugby at a younger age through touch rugby and then gradually moving them towards tackling rugby. Also talks about the women's England team and their struggles and successes. Fantastic article and a positive light from a non-rugby player!

• University of Rhode Island Suspension Ends - (except from article) 03/09/07 - Three years after a one-year suspension from its league, the University of Rhode Island women's rugby team is headed to the Division IV National Championship. The team will travel to Philadelphia on April 28 to face Ursinus College after winning the New England Rugby Football Union Championship in November.
  
  The Rams dominated the previously undefeated Springfield College in its regional championship, 41-17, to cap off an undefeated season of their own.
  
  "We went into the championship game and the team we were playing was undefeated. We won 41-17," junior Maura O'Keefe said. "It wasn't even a game. Once we got the confidence to go with our skill, we were unstoppable."
  
  The team will carry its confidence to the National Championship.
  (article continues from link above)

• Topless Haka? - Check it out for yourself if you don't believe me!
  *Note, the image portrayed does not include full nudity.

• International Women's Day - Interesting article...check it out. Only a small section on rugby but a valid point.
  

• Dealing with Injury, Depression & Returning to Rugby - Most of us have been there, a minor or major injury that keeps us off the pitch for a short time or a long time. The depression with watching your body change from a fit specimen to a less than fit specimen. The struggles of returning to your team and the expectations you have for yourself. Keep working!
  

• Info about the International Rugby Board (IRB) - Interesting stuff about the IRB and what it controls and how it was started.

• U23 Local Area Union (LAU) Tournament in Denton, TX
  
  This weekend the TRU U-23 women's team faced off against ERRFU, HOA and Ozark in Denton, Texas at the annual LAU U-23 tournament. This tournament provides the West U-23 coaches a preview of the players, while allowing the players an opportunity to experience higher level play. Until now, ERRFU has won this tournament for the past 6 years.
  
  Saturday started off with TRU playing HOA in cold and windy conditions. While the forwards on both sides battled it out, playing excellent defense and both sides having some good runs, the TRU backs were able to use their speed to breakthrough HOAs backline and score. The final score was TRU 17 - HOA 7. After a short break, TRU faced off with ERRFU in a much anticipated game. Both teams proved to be fast and both were able to counter kicking attacks. However, the TRU forwards excelled at rucking, maintaining possession for TRU and turning over many of ERRFUs balls. That combined with excellent forward running and an aggressive defense by TRU lead to a final score of TRU 14 - ERRFU 0.
  
  The weekend was wrapped up by the TRU playing a much less experienced Ozark team. While the Ozark team gave it a go, the TRU was in control of the majority of the game and won by a considerable margin.
  
  Overall, the weekend was a success with the TRU taking home thier first LAU tourney championship and with the West U-23 coaches very pleased with the level of play. I would like to thank Phil Camm for organizing the event in Denton. Also I would like to thank the coaches of the Texas college teams. Without strong college programs, this team would not have been able to succeed. Finally, I would like to thank the girls for giving it 110% and never taking breaks. A list of the girls who participated is below:
  
  Natalie Ingram (Texas A&M)
  Stephanie Dvorak (Texas A&M)
  Monika Morales (Texas A&M)
  Amy Burkhalter (Texas A&M)
  Rachel Kraft (Austin Valkyries)
  Rebecca DeMoor (Texas A&M)
  Laura Lansdell (Texas State)
  Kelly Frazer (Texas A&M)
  Brea Hughes (Texas A&M)
  Lauren Sharp (Texas A&M)
  Kaylan Chidgey (Texas A&M)
  Kelly Izard (Texas A&M)
  Karen Villatoro (Texas A&M)
  Shalyn O'Farrell (UT)
  Sierra Smith (UT)
  Hillary Wells (Texas A&M)
  Kristin Youngless (Rice)
  Becca Barron (Texas A&M)
  Gina Steffano (Texas A&M) - TRU MVP (Chosen by West coaches)
  Betsy Bryant (Texas A&M)
  Erin Wood (Texas A&M)
  Cassie Hindsley (Texas A&M)
  Heather Hill (Texas State)
  Leia Wilson (Texas A&M)
  Allison Lee (UT)
  Mary Mason (UT)
  
  Results of the weekend:
  
  Saturday
  Heart of America - 12 vs. Ozark Union - 0
  ERRFU - 41 vs. Ozark Union - 0
  Texas Rugby Union - 12 vs. ERRFU - 0
  
  Sunday
  ERRFU vs. Heart of America (score unknown)
  Texas Rugby Union - 46 vs. Ozark Union - 0
  
  *I attended with my roommate Ashley Mefford who ran the Red Rhino Rugby Distributor tent. I was all-time touch judge as I did every game of the weekend. It was a blast and the rugby was great! Thanks ladies and great job!

• Random Rugby Scores from strr.net:
  
  Denton Whiptails RFC Women A - 15 vs. Baton Rouge RFC Women A - 27
  Harc Women Women 1 A - 83 vs. Sam Houston State Women College Women - 0
  

• All four women's challenge matches are now confirmed ... (from Blondie)
  
  #13 seed
  SC#2 - Belmont Shore vs. W#2 - Austin Valkyries
  April 21 at Austin
  
  #14 seed
  SC#1 - Scottsdale vs. PC#2 - ORSU
  April 21 at Portland
  
  #15 seed
  NE#4 - Boston vs. W#3 - KC Jazz
  May 12 at Kansas City
  
  #16 seed
  MW#4 - Wisconsin vs. PC#3 - Mudhens
  May 26 at Seattle

• Shout-out to all of my 'mates that are President, Match Secretary, Social Coordinator, Selector, Treasurer, Manager etc...you ladies RULE! I am putting together the "bible" for the Valkyries trip to Nashville and it sucks! I have already spent hours organizing flight times, finding hotels, rental cars...all so you ladies can have a safe and successful trip to Nashville.
  
  So lets raise our glasses to all the hard workers out there who spend hours of THEIR time working behind the scenes to make life easier for everyone else. So next time you see the administrators of YOUR team give them a hug and a thanks. They work hard so that you don't have too.
  

• Match Report - "Kashville" vs UT
  Courtesy of Sarah Deane:
  
  As most of you know, the Minx have teamed up with Nashville this season. Worried about numbers, the clubs' officers decided a joint venture was just the ticket. So for this season we are Kashville (no word yet on a mascot). What's great about playing with Nashville is the amount of experience we now have on the pitch and, also, no longer doing the last-second mad dash to scrape together 15 (or 13 or 10) ruggers. Should be a season of very good rugby.
  
  First match of the season was against Mid-South Champs (wahoo!!!) UT. We were set to play 3-25 minute halves. Conditions were slightly cool and windy, with just enough sun to blind you if you looked up too quickly. We won the toss and received the kick-off. Our pack was strong and we took a quick lead. (I can never remember the scoring order, so bear with me.) As the game moved on, Mumps put the squeeze on UT's scrummy, Kate had quite an attractive bloody nose, and our young high-schoolers proved they could ruck/run with the best of 'em. UT came close to scoring twice, opting to kick for post and making one of those kicks. Our backs had good hands all day and did well on the outside. JP proved once again that rugby ain't nothing without a good utility player (you love it!) Wink Mel almost scored on a sweet run, but was stopped just shy of the try-line. Rugby Goddess Cindy Brown won Nashville's MVP wrestling belt, so hat's off to her. A big thank you to Katie W. for stepping in as hooker for a half. Birdie and Ty both put in excellent performances while playing new positions. Thank you to all who came out!
  

• Dollface Rugger - A Myspace rugger who is always having contest including the most recent Hottest Male and Female Ruggers. Check out her site!
  

• Must have been that ash mark on our foreheads... - A funny blog that came through my inbox this morning from USF Women's Rugby Myspace.
  
  One goes through their life denying the existence of a higher power. They could be completely ignorant to other people's beliefs, criticizing the notion of organized religion, and mocking those with a spiritual purpose in this world of intelligent design. This is the part of my rant that I must admit, it has been I all along. Not until this past Wednesday, Ash Wednesday in fact, was it til a friend, teammate, and now spiritual partner, Niki Reid introduced me to that big guy in the sky, also known as God. I entered the church with the utmost attitude of skepticism. I left with a new outlook on Catholicism and someone's remains on my forehead. Anywho, point of this story is to relay my idea that somehow, my acceptance, or at least 35 minute experience in Dale Mabry Ascension church, brought our team good fortune this past weekend. We beat the goddamned shit out of GSU!
  
  I mean seriously, what went wrong this weekend? Four tries on Saturday and two on Sunday has confused us all but brought us the hope we all have been deprived of for as long as I have been on the team... ahem, which has been two years. I want to take back anything negative I have ever written about Joanna's misunderstanding of out-of-bounds in the past, as she has proven to be our leading scorer and break-away artist. This girl has got seriously dangerous moves. With the win we achieved on Saturday, it was only fitting to celebrate extensively at our usual bar and public outdoor restroom, Rocky's. With the help of the losing Georgia Southern team, we played numerous rounds of chuggabat, sustained several injuries due to extreme dizzyness, and ate more pasta off of Niki's muu muu than Italy produces in a year. Golf balls were sunken in everybody's drinks at some point of the afternoon. It was pretty much the best social I have never remembered.
  
  Two kegs later, we nomadically gathered our asses over to Stag's Leap. Promiscuity owned the night...and my front yard...and driveway...and neighbor's backyard... The night is a ridiculous blur for most people, but a few good highlights involve Allison's chuggabat rage on Shane's ass, Kali in general, and Taro's cool throw-up. The worst part was waking up to the most horrible mess I have ever seen that damn house encounter since St. Patty's Day 05'. Additionally, we definitely celebrated too intensely as proven in Sunday's game against the GI Janes (or Joes) of Citadel. We should have won and that's all I'm going to say. BUT, it has removed a tremendous amount of stress off of my shoulders considering the fact that if we came out with a victory, our participation at Nash Bash would be questionable since the date coincides with playoffs. So, awesome job with the loss.
  
  It wouldn't be fair to not give credit to our continuously improving team and the help of beefstud Roman and newly accepted coach, Martha. I mean, it is an act of complete charity to graduate from a prestigious college, move to your Mom's house in Florida and befriend the neighboring college's struggling sandlot rugby team. How sweet of you Martha!
  
  So, recap of the weekend:
  
  wins:1
  losses:1
  tries:6
  kegs:2
  Chuggabat accidents: 7+
  Things Reese left at the house: 5...maybe 6
  Converted atheists: 1
  Acts of complete success for the USF women's rugby team: infinite
  
  
• Oklahoma 31st Annual Alumni Weekend
  
  The annual Varsity Alumni weekend is scheduled for Thursday, March 15 through Sunday, March 18 at the Al Velie Rugby Complex on the OU campus. All matches on Saturday will be played on the Tarzan pitch.
  
  Thursday, March 15 -- Booger at the Tarzan pitch at 7pm
  Friday, March 16 -- golf tournament during the day with a social at the clubhouse that evening
  Saturday, March 17 -- Tarzan Pitch -- times to be announced, but probably around noon the OU Roses play a nail-biter versus their rivals, the Arkansas Iron Maidens. Following that match is the AMAZING varsity versus alumni battle for the men's team. Following that match is the AMAZING varsity versus alumni battle for the women's team
  Saturday night at the clubhouse-- we have a PIG that will be ROASTED for the occasion that shall be delicious. We will have dancing and celebrations happening all through the night. Good times. Neat fun.
  Sunday, March 18 at 10:30am-- We are twisting Michelle Corr's arm to host a brunch for all survivors. Please bring your photo albums and a pot luck dish to share. All current and former players, referees, coaches, and huggers are encouraged to attend.
  
  If you are an alumni planning to play, let us hear from you! Please send an email to rugby@ou.edu so that we can make the appropriate team contact aware of your attendance.
  
  One more thing--there is an article coming out in the March 14th issue of the Oklahoma Gazette featuring the Oklahoma Roses as well as Varsity Alumni Weekend. Pick up your copy!
  
  *I was going to blog about the current ongoing mess of the Oklahoma Roses, but I would hate for my words of truth to be twisted into a negative mess...so all I'm going to say is that you know I love you and everyone else...I'm horribly disappointed at how the situation was handled. You may have just alienated ALL your alumni and therefore your funds, support and more. Good luck with the rest of the season.