The 30th Anniversary Alumni weekend was a great success. The present team played a tough game with a half time score of 14-12. The alumni of course, went on to win and keep their 25 (?) year winning streak alive. The Friday night game brought one of the largest crowds to watch the game in a long time. The costume party brought out great memories of days past and made new memories of the future. We also had 38 people sign up for the UNCG Alumni Association. Be sure to check the website for pictures and links from the weekend and a schedule for the dates of the next five years of Alumni Weekends.

What is going to be the future of UNCG Rugby and UNCG Rugby Alumni in years to come? It always pains me when I here friends from around the country talk about universities that have teams with three to five sides, teams that have their own field and club house. Alumni weekends that have 500 people come back to attend.

I don't know about most of you, but I hate to think what my college experience would have been like if I had not played rugby and made the life long friends I have today. I owe a lot to my association with UNCG Rugby.

I'm always amazed that grown men are so willingly let others take care of them as if they were an invalid, infants, with a drinking problem. It would be much easier if people would be willing to take on a small part of the many things that need to be done. By dividing these tasks it would not fall just on a club president or alumni chair. It also astonishes me that even after being out of college for all these years many people still act like all they can only afford is Milwaukee Beast and Ramen noodles.

Let's all take the next five years to evaluate what we can do to make the present team strong, viable, and competitive? Also please look to how you can help share the responsibilities of UNCG Rugby Alumni. Below is a list of things that you can do:

Help present team

• Make tax deductable donations to the Frank Land Fund (interest goes to support the team and pay union dues)
• Make a tax deductable donation to Student Organization Account for present team to buy items like; kit supplies, scrum sled, rent vans for transportation, jerseys, etc.
• Organize a guest coaches clinic
• Organize a tour for the team
• Help at team practices
• Host team for a dinner or sporting event

Future Team

• Help secure a consistent practice field near the college
• Help send current coaches to clinics
• Help recruit for the team
• Help line up coaching talent for the future
• Buy rental property to rent to current team members
• Look to build the coaching staff

Rugby Alumni

• Help organize Alumni Weekend
• Design and order memorabilia
• Organize golf tournament
• Organize pool tournament
• Make and send out registration materials
• Keep website up to date
• Locate missing alumni
• Take and organize pictures from the weekend
• Plan and reserve space for Alumni Saturday night gathering
• Plan food, beverage, and entertainment for Saturday's party
• Handle Alumni Association registration
• Work with UNCG Alumni association
• Be Alumni Weekend coordinator
• Plan and organize Alumni Hall of Fame.

Wouldn't it be great when the 35th Anniversary roles around if we have a nationally ranked team, with a practice facility that allows a coaching staff to train the 100+ players. 100+ alumni show up for Alumni Weekend to watch the team play another ranked college team in the stadium and then we have the alumni game on Saturday. It can happen! I just takes vision and participation on your part. Please take the initiative and do what you can. Thanks for the support and look at the website and for emails about UNCG RUGBY news. www.fishballrugby.com.