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Prop and Poet: Mike Mahan's Tribute to the Brothers
Fellow Ruggers,
I want to thank all of you who attended the Legacy Weekend and those around the world who reached out to me! It was magical. As I said on Saturday evening, “It is my great honor to be a footnote in the lives of those in the room and the hundreds of others they represent.”
Back at the Hotel Thayer on Sunday morning, I missed our Fallen Brothers who gone ahead of us. I had the urge to write something. So, I did. And I shed a few tears. As a gift, I want to share what I wrote with you. I know I’m a prop and not a poet, but these words flowed out. Deal with it!
Thank you.
Coach Mahan
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Heaven’s Rugby Pitch
(Copyright 2019)
Someday will be the day I go
And leave this dry old earth.
I fear the price my sins will cost
For naked I will be.
But waiting on the other side
Will be my long-lost mates.
They’ll welcome me to Heaven’s Pitch
With many a manly hug.
The grass is high and rich and soft
And the wind is at your back.
We’ll puff and run and grunt some more
But always with a laugh.
They’ll yell to me, that rugby thing
“With you mate, I’m here!”
And I’ll know I’m home again
Forever with my mates.
It’s a dream of happy days
And laughter with my friends.
I think I’m now strong enough
To suffer all my sins.
And join in one last, glorious run
On Heaven’s Rugby Pitch.
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Coach Mike Mahan Honored
With First Brothers Legacy Award
In a stirring tribute to the longest tenured rugby coach at West Point, the Army Rugby Advisory Committee presented the inaugural Brothers Rugby Legacy Award to Coach Mike Mahan ’70. Coach Mahan's multi-decade leadership for both the men's and women's programs at West Point is without equal and the selection committee was unanimous in its decision that he should be the first honoree. Mike's inspirational speech on humility, hard work and brotherhood brought down the house. It's available here for download.
Coach Mahan's efforts were the key to developing the Army sports program with the most wins and securing the Anderson Rugby Complex project. Most importantly, he was instrumental in creating the culture of service, sacrifice and camaraderie among the players, which has been his most enduring legacy.
Coach Mahan graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1970 and was commissioned in the Infantry. He played collegiate rugby and Division I men’s rugby and coached for over 30 years. Under his leadership, Army Rugby made ten appearances in the final four of the collegiate rugby national championship. He retired from coaching at West Point in 2015. He and his wife, Dorothy, live in Monterey, California.
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Coach Matt Sherman
Aspirations of Army Rugby
"The team aspires to be the best and most respected team in the country, cadets in the corps and leaders of our nation. Essentially, building great complimentary habits of actions, attitudes and behaviors on the field, off the field, for continued success after West Point".
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First Brothers Legacy Dinner a Stunning Success
The ARAC set out with a goal of building an annual event that would socially bring together the Army rugby community, reconnect old friends and teammates, and tighten the bonds with the current players and coaches. We had 265 players, coaches and guests attend our first ever dinner, including members of the founding team, the current team, 2 former superintendents, one former commandant and Lee Anderson, benefactor of the Anderson Rugby Complex. For context, the Army Football Banquet, after 20 years, had 220 attendees this year and Navy Rugby had 230! Our goal next year is to break 350 attendees.
In addition to coach Mahan, speakers this year included ARAC Chairman Lew Boore '81, MG Brian Mennes '88, LTG Frank Kearney '73, Coach Matt Sherman, Army Rugby Captain Tony Smith '19 and Tim Lawton '03.
In the keynote address, MG Mennes reminded us that "if you want to hang out with rugby players, you've got to be a rugby player." And in order to hang out with the Army Rugby alumni, you'll have to come back to West Point for the Legacy Event next year.
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"What a Feeling"
Ric Cesped, Class of '62 and Founding Brother with a Brothers Legacy Event Rugby Ball. Sandra demonstrates the patented Army Rugby spouse look also first seen in the 60's.
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"Grip Hands"
The 2019 Brothers touched hands with Old Gray as they stepped on to the pitch vs. Navy.
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Army Falls Just Short Against Navy
WEST POINT, N.Y. - After a hard fought 80 minutes Saturday at the Anderson Rugby Complex, the Navy Midshipmen hung on for a 17-10 victory over the Army West Point men's rugby team.
Navy (9-3) opened the first half with possession and forced Army (9-4-1) to play defense in their own side for the majority of the first 40 minutes. The Mids opened the scoring early with a try in the 6th minute.
The Black Knight defense was stout for the rest of the first half, fending off several near scoring chances by Navy. Just before halftime, Austin Rutledge put Army on the board with a try to cut into Navy's lead and make it 7-5 at the break.
The second half was much of the same, as the Cadets struggled to mount any consistent attacks. Another try and a penalty extended Navy's lead to 17-5 with under five minutes to go.
Army refused to quit, as Jason Green scored a try from nearly the length of the field to keep the hopes alive in the waning minutes. Navy was able to hang on in the final minutes to secure the win.
The 2019 D1A playoff bracket is now set, with the Army West Point men's rugby team taking on Arkansas State, April 13 at noon from the Anderson Rugby Complex.
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Cadets Win The Bidding Wars!
The BLE speakers were followed by an energetic live auction, where Todd Van Sickle '96 was able to knock down items & vacation packages generously donated for the event.
Overall, the Brothers Legacy Event pledges and auctions raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Men's Rugby Funds.
For those that missed the event, good news! Its not too late to donate:
The Army West Point Men’s Rugby Program has two vehicles for outside donations:
- Mens Rugby Team Fund (“Friends of Men’s Rugby”) This source funds shorter-term goals of the program such as trips and training for the Cadets
- The Men’s Rugby Endowment This is a longer-term strategic fund that the AD and Coach use to strengthen the overall program; such as hiring additional Coaches, etc. (NOTE: This is currently the preferred focus of our efforts)
WAYS TO SUPPORT:
- Online: https://www.westpointaog.org/givetorugby
- Mail: Please make check payable to: WPAOG – Army Men’s Rugby. In the memo line indicate whether this is a Mens Rugby Team Fund or Men’s Rugby Endowment Mailing Address: Army A Club, Attn: Jonathan Rodak, 639 Howard Rd, West Point, NY 10996
Questions?
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2019 Old Gray Game
Alumni Winning Streak Continues
In a stirring tribute to Mike Mahan, more than 50 of his ex-players took the pitch with and against the Development Side on Saturday March 30th. In a hard hitting match, where no quarter was asked, and the amount of blood proved none was given. The Old Gray squad emerged victorious over the Cadets and the Alumni volunteers/victims.
Led by the ferocity of a hungry pack (and Nate Conkey’s thighs), the Old Gray were able to fend off a shifty side, made up of Plebes, Yuks, with a ferocious Andy Pero anchoring the alumni augmented white scrum. In the first period, the Old Gray were knocking the rust off systems that were last used a year ago. Relying on Tony Fatula’s desire for “Forward Ball”, the Old Gray were able to wear the out the Young Bucks First 8 in the first half, but not break the Brothers defense for a score. However, the Brothers would not be denied, and scored twice on nifty tries from two of their speediest backs. After the second try, however, the Old Gray had seen enough. Andy Locke, David Geib, Nate Conkey, and co. were sent in to take care of business and bring some structure to the Old Gray’s back line attack. Within 5 minutes, their worth was shown as the Old Gray continued to advance the ball down field and scored another forward try at the hands of Pat Downes. With seconds left in the second half, the Old Gray found themselves ahead 22-21. With the perfect combination of stalling, penalties, and slow ball, the Old Gray were able to wear down the clock and closeout a successful Old Gray victory. Shockingly, Lew Boore did not leave any blood on the field this time, but components of Brian Schnack's shoulders are still being picked up off the turf field.
Old Gray once again taught Cadets that youth and fitness are no match for heart, weight, arthritis, old age and treachery. Thank you to Troy Schnack, '96 and Sean Simpson '93, for providing the great photos, available here in the "Old Gray 2019" album. May the record reflect that the Old Gray have won 6 in a row.
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1989's Friday Night Social
Starting on Friday, 29 March 2019, Old Gray and Army rugby alumni descended upon our Rockbound Highland Home for the Army Rugby Legacy Weekend. It was a great time to renew and strengthen old bonds and forge new ones. As Preston Miller ‘68 noted, “Going to Class Reunions is always nice, but being able to see friends from all Classes we knew while at West Point is truly special. Seeing some for the first time in over 50 years really brought back fond memories.”
To start off the weekend, Old Gray, friends and families gathered at the Anderson Rugby Complex Friday afternoon to watch the Brothers go through their final practice before the match. On site were several members of the Class of 1971, former USA Eagle Tony Ridnell ’82, as well many others representing over 60 years of Army Rugby.
Shortly after practice adjourned, the masses traveled the short distance to Eisenhower Hall for the Friday night social hosted by the Class of 1989.
Under the guidance and coaching of Mike Mahan ’70 and led by Team Captain, John Oliver ‘89, and Club President David Blain ’89, Army Rugby made its first foray into the National Collegiate Final Four. Well over 100 Old Gray ruggers, families and friends attended the social, including Coach and Officer Representative from 1989 to 1993, Dave Ross and members of the Class of 1983 – Ken Tovo, Mike Lerario, Tim Kuklo, and Chris Carlson. At some date in the future, the Class of 1989 will select the host for the 2020 Army Rugby Legacy Weekend Friday Night Social. Al Hogue offers his personal guarantee that the selection process will be fair, transparent and irrevocable.
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Honor Cup May 18, 2019
Old Gray vs. Navy's Old Goats
Attendance for the Old Gray game included a large Navy Almuni continent, camped out in the East try zone. The Old Goats did not look too happy as Navy has challenged Army to two matches in the 2019 Honor Cup: an open age side and an over 50 ancients match.
Last year, Navy alumni challenged Army's Old Gray to play in the inaugural Honor Cup tournament held in Washington DC. Old Gray pulled together a crack over 40 touring side and beat Navy 15-5. The Honor Cup raised over $13,000 for veterans, police and firefighter charities, and the tournament has been confirmed for May 17-19, 2019 at Fort McNair.
The Old Gray Honor Cup team point of contact for the Open Side team is Andrew Locke, and Lew Boore is pulling together the Ancients roster. Please email Lew and Andy to sign up for your chance to BEAT NAVY again.
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"We are the Army Ruggers"
Old Gray belt out a rousing rendition of the Army Rugby Song before kickoff
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Old Gray Call for Photos
Several of you who were present for the many activities of Army Rugby Legacy Weekend took photos (either with your large professional cameras or your smart phones). We want your photos. Please help contribute to the Army Rugby History Project by uploading your photos to this google photos folder.
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