April 15, 2006

CLEVELAND ROVERS

Spring Newsletter

Captain's Address

After two very impressive wins we are headed back to the Midwest Final Four. With the last two trips we were happy to get there. This year the expectations have been higher from the start. I firmly believe if we play to our capabilities there is not a team in the Midwest that we will not defeat. If we win the Midwest we will have the Number 1 seed in Columbia. To accomplish this, we must work hard and get to practice. We need numbers at practice so we can utilize the drills to improve our game.

One of our goals is to play with a 22 man roster. We saw this constantly last year during our playoff run. Teams that posses the depth to play their entire roster were able to substitute strategically and keep the pressure on their opponents. Just when a member is wearing down we could substitute fresh legs and keep the attack fresh. While this can be frustrating to some who would love to play the whole game, it is our best chance to win a National Championship. Winning a National championship at any level is a fantastic accomplishment. I encourage our young guys to keep at it because the opportunity will be there to shine. The line up is playing well right now but injuries will occur, jobs will require travel and guys will need to be spelled. Our goal is attainable, let's do it together.

With all of the success that we have been building on the field we have also been improving our teamwork from an administrative perspective. Many organizations get by because they have one or two guys doing all the work. Fortunately, we have many individuals that are more than willing to help out in many different capacities. This help is coming from current players as well as past players. Thank you to all who have contributed this past year both financially and with your time and effort.

I wanted to pass on my personal thank you to Bobby Voth for his generous support. Without his assistance we would not have been able to travel to Savannah with forty-one guys and prepare for the season by playing in Division II. We made the Championship Game and lost a hard fought physical game to a very large and solid side in the Shockers. Those games prepared us for the playoff run. Let's keep it going.

In the newsletter you will see the info on the Nite-at-the-Races. We need to have great attendance at this event. We also need sponsors and for individuals to purchase horses. We have a difficult and expensive season already. This will be our sole fundraiser for the Spring season. The golf outing will be held in July and we will not use it as a fundraiser but rather we will just get together and have some fun.

Remember, confidence in yourself, confidence in your teammates and VICTORY to the Rovers!

Fellow Rovers,

The past two weekends have seen two great games, with two similar outcomes, as we began our playoff odyssey. When we went to Detroit we met with a Traverse City team with some significant accomplishments under their belt. Finishing second in the Northern Conference, Traverse City had dominated in all of their league wins and only narrowly lost to conference champions Toledo. They had also throttled the Rovers the last time we had faced them. This game had taken place two years ago in the Midwest Final Four.

Our better conditioning was evident from the start, and although we have not spent a large amount of practice time on unopposed, everyone seemed to be on the same page offensively. Breakthroughs by our backs were balanced by whirling mauls by our forwards, so that wherever Traverse City looked there was a Rover coming at them with two or three in support. With a final tally of 36-0, we were on our way, and sending a message to the rest of the Midwest. The East Side would be our next opponent after they too had blasted through their first game.

Not that it is ever hard for a Rover to get up for a game against the East Side, but with a Midwest Final Four bid hanging in the balance, we came out firing and never let up until the final whistle. With the wind blowing across the pitch, dropping the temperature to near freezing levels, and the ground mottled with puddles, we kept the ball in tight and dominated an East Side team that didn't know what hit them.

The last several years have seen us lose or win by small margins against this team, for no other reason than we play to their level. Last weekend we finally got over the hump and played to our abilities, controlling them in every phase of the game. Our defense was a rock, with them hardly getting the ball outside at all and when it did, our backs swarmed, amid screams of "Cacerta!!!!"

The pack put in probably the best performance that I've seen since I've been apart of the Rovers. Pete Kozoglov and PJ McGowan both played their best games yet as Rovers in my opinion. We were also able to get up by enough points that we could work in some of our subs who will certainly be needed if we are going to make a run to Nationals.

In the end the Rovers walked off the field victors by a score of 38-0. In the past two games we have dominated time of possession by a margin of probably 80-20. This has had a huge impact in the scores of these games and speaks volumes about the kind of support that we are giving each other out on the field.

Our season has gotten off to a great start, and that's due in no small part to the enormous effort that has been put forth by everyone involved. We need to keep it up in the coming weeks and not lose focus on our goal, to be National Champions!

President's Post

Rugby in Cleveland is looking good. By the time you read this letter, you will already know the results of the second round of the Division III Midwest playoff match between two Cleveland teams. At this match, both clubs will put very competitive A and B side teams on the field. In addition to the successful men's clubs, the Iron Maidens are posting strong results with the help of Coach Kurt Weaver.

Speaking of Coaches, the Rovers are adding to their depth at the coaching level. Dale Linville had successfully endured several coaching clinics in the past and passed great knowledge, drills and techniques to the club. This year, Head Coach Jim Golinski and assistant coaches Steve Tyler and Mark Dempsey also have completed the first level coaching certification. Additionally, Dan Guion has taken on the coaching responsibility at Eleria Catholic. Many others have become involved with other high school programs in the area.

And it doesn't stop with coaching. Joining the ranks of Bugs Moran and others that have been involved in refereeing are Sean DeCrane and Dale Linville. Look for them at the next high school or college match and take notice of the referee at our up and coming match against Sciota Valley.

The high school programs in the area have been feeding good talent to the local and regional colleges that are, in turn, bringing valuable and experienced players back to the Rovers.

Let's continue our support of rugby in Cleveland in every facet, whether it is at the Men's, Women's, College, High School or youth levels. Every effort that we put into any of these areas will improve the level of play within the region and our ability to enjoy the game we love. When you see a coach or a referee from the area, thank them for their efforts. It is the dedication of these people that is growing the passion for rugby in Cleveland.

A special thanks goes out to Bobby Voth for his contribution to and support of our recent Savannah tour. This was a trip to remember and an excellent tune up for the playoffs.

They Said It

Coaches Corner

Rugby - A Metaphor for life.  I found this press release recently about Tony Heinz, the Irish Rugby star and former CEO of Heinz Incorporated.  One of his more famous speeches came after he relinquished the leadership post at Heinz.  He reflected that Rugby was a "metaphor for life."  What he went on to say can be paraphrased by "real rugby champions are not part timers." They are friends, hard workers, straight shooters and champions off the field.  It's almost more important because off the field you are free to be yourself.  Don't lose sight of this boys moving forward.

Right before the Montauc game last year we talked about making no excuses and walking away with no regrets.  That is exactly what you did.  In fact you came within 5 points of going to the National Championship.  It is quite clear that you have every reason to believe you will go this year.  So don't fall short.  I, Demps, Fingers, Reno, Sean, and two high school boys went to the Sand Bar after the East side victory to do what classy teams do, drink their beer, eat their food, laugh way too loud and pillage.  This is poor form for those of you who did not make it REGARDLESS of what the other team does or who they are. Don't tell me you have a bigger axe to grind at that bar than, Demps, Sean or I; because it just isn't true. Small point here in the bigger picture but don't show poor form. It won't work long term and we are better than that.  This is true when it comes to so many other aspects of our comradeship.  For example:

• Take responsibility for your actions (wear pink if you have to);
• Call if you can't make practice;
• Be on time if you can make practice;
• Be ready to go at Noon on gameday;
• Focus on your drills - optimize your contribution;
• Wear the Rover colors with pride Thursday night - be an asshole in your softball shirt!

Some of you guys are going to lead others one day soon and the guy no one frigin' listens to is the guy they don't respect. The guy they don't respect is the hypocryt.  Don't be THAT GUY!  Read about this guy (below) for a little while; give it a scan.  Does this sound like one of you one day?  Impet vs Landesdown or even Cardiff rms, what's the difference, it's relative. Same names, same games - different faces. Who will you be?  TY

Monday, April 15, 2002

Sir Anthony O'Reilly To Receive Honourary Degree From StFX at Keating Centre

ANTIGONISH, NS --- St. Francis Xavier University will honour international business leader and philanthropist Sir Anthony O'Reilly with an honourary degree during Spring Convocation ceremonies on Sunday, May 5, 2002.

Sir Anthony has a distinguished, and diverse, background as an international rugby star, a highly successful businessman, and a humanitarian and philanthropist of international renown.

The Dublin-born O'Reilly first gained prominence as a world-class sports star. His record of 29 international rugby matches with the Irish national team and another 10 with the all-star British and Irish "Lions" established his place among the legends of Irish sport.

Education and business developed as parallel passions. Anthony O'Reilly was educated at Dublin's Belvedere College, at University College Dublin, and at the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland. An honours graduate in civil law, and a solicitor, he later earned a PhD degree in agriculture marketing from the University of Bradford, England.

Sir Anthony's forays in the business world began with a firm of industrial consultants in England and with a merchant company specializing in agricultural products in Ireland. During the early days of his career, this outstanding entrepreneur was chosen as chief executive officer of the Irish Dairy Board. During that period, he expanded distribution of the country's dairy products throughout the world and developed the international food brand, Kerrygold.

After another assignment as managing director of the Irish Sugar Company, from 1966-69, he joined H.J. Heinz Company, the international food giant, as managing director of H.J. Heinz Company Ltd., England, the company's largest offshore subsidiary. In 1971, he was promoted to Heinz World Headquarters in Pittsburgh as senior vice president - North America and Pacific. By 1973, at the age of 37, he had become president and chief operating officer of Heinz worldwide. He was named chief executive officer in 1978 and chairman in 1987, becoming the first non-family member to serve as chairman. During his years at the helm, the company's revenue increased by more than 1,000 percent. He retired in 2000 after leading the company for over 25 years

In recognition of his philanthropic work and his contribution to creating just, peacefule and inclusive democratic societies, Anthony O'Reilly was awarded a Knighthood in Britain's 2001 New Year's Honours List. Sir Anthony will address graduates during the afternoon convocation ceremony, to start at 3 p.m. at the Charles V. Keating Millenium Centre

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