Alumni

EXCITING STUFF TO KICK OFF 2009/10
New Web Site
The Wildcats and alumni have a new web site that is up do date and interactive! Go to www.wildcatrugby.org (same address)

We're Number Ten!
In the first known pre season college rugby poll, Arizona is ranked number 10 in the nation!
Go to www.americanrugbynews.com

Cats to Play Thirteeen Varsity Matches
The Wildcats will post their 2009-10 schedulle this week on the web site.
Highlights include:

Saturday, November 14 V. Arizona State (The only varsity ASU-UA match of the year)

Saturday, January 16 at UCLA Conference Opener during Pac Ten tourny

Friday, February 12 V. Cal Poly SLO Curtain raiser for USA Sevens in Las Vegas
Friday, March 26 Michelob Strong & Tough Tournament Arizona National Golf Club

March 27 V. Washington Huskies Final home game (proposed for TV)

The Best League in the Country
The five memeber SoCal Premier Conference is so highly regarded that the top three teams will receive automatic bids to college rugby's "Sweet Sixteen." In 2010, the first and second place finishers will move directly to the round of 16. The third place team will host the fourth place team in a one game playoff for the third tournament bid. The fifth place team faces a relegation challenge from the SoCal second division champion. (UCLA held off DII champion ASU in 2009)
2009 SoCal Premier Final Standings

San Diego State 10-0 (made it to final four)

Cal Poly SLO 8-2 (played into round of eight)

Arizona 3 - 5

UCSB 2-8

UCLA 1 - 9

Alums- we need you! (See below)
Recruiting Success
Overall, 62 new players were recruited for the team. Of them 26 have previous rugby experience. Of them, seven hail from traditional rugby nations. Overall, it is a very good class which compliments the fifty one returning Wildcats. The rooks began trainng last Tuesday. The returing players start practise on Tuesday, September 29

Recruits by Country
Argentina 1
Australia 1
England 1
New Zealand 3
Singapore 1
USA 55

For Openers
The 'Cats open their season October 31 agasint Colorado. The match will be played at Infinity Park and be televised by FOX Sports Net. Go to the Web site for more info. WWW.WILDCATRUGBY.ORG

We will start the season with an A- game on Tursday, October 29 at the Air Force Acedemy. (The varsity reserve match begins kicks off at 3:30 p.m. and the JV's will play immediately after. ) We hope to meet and greet alums in the 'Springs that evening. On Friday, we'll visit Columbine High School in Littleton where Jason Fass, our 2008 Lauren Townsend Award Winner will meet Bink and the administration at Columbine. The team will practise on Friday afternoon at Infinity and prepare for a busy Saturday.

On Saturday, 31 October, our JV's will face Colorado at 10:00 a.m. Our Varsity will open its season with COLORADO AT NOON at Infinity Park. We will have an aftermatch function at the stadium. Arizona Alumn I are invited.

(If you live in Denver and would like to host an event for the team on Friday night, please let us know!)

Colorado Cats Wanted
We know that there are many Wildcats living along the east slope of the Rockies. Those of you in the springs are invited to see the team at teh AFA on Thursday. We'll play a varsity reserve game versus the same from the AFA.

However, we ask both Denver and Colorado Springs families to attend the noon kick off on Saturday in Gledale on Saturday. After the game, we'll have an aftermatch for you to meet the etam at teh stadium. Both the Wildcats and Infinity Park are well worth seeing!

You'll be back home in time for Halloween!

While the Older Cats are away, the new ones will play!
When the varsity team is in Colorado, the newcomers will venture to Flagstaff for matches against NAU and Embry Riddle. So on Saturday, October 31, Arizona will field over 100 student athletes in two states- all on the road. Please help us defray the costs of moving all of the players and coaches that weekend. Join the Alumni Association today!

We need your help!
You met the John Snow Challenge
Former club president, John Snow (79) offered to match any $500.00 pledged last month. You resonded with $2,100.00. Thanks from John and the Wildcats. Credit Cards Accepted

Five alums found the new web support program.
The University of Arizona Foundation, the University's 5013c institution, has attached credit card transactions to UA Rugby alumni donations. Go to the web site, click on "support the Wildcats" then click on "on line giving."

After you enroll, you'll receive a coveted Nike 40th Aniversary T-Shirt!
All of this good stuff happens as a result of the players' and coaches' hard work and of course ALUMNI SUPPORT!

WWW.WILDCATRUGBY.ORG

2009 Almni Association Donors
Here's who is in so far.
President's Club
Ricky Abt '88
Jay Boyle '86
Brian O'Hearn '82
John Snow '79
Kendrick Morely

Captain's Supporters
Doug Cook '70
Brandon Christensen
Paul Enegren '99
Peter Kelly '75
Brad Pollard '87Bill Vail '78

Bear Down Patron
Jason Arcaro '98
Bruce Beck '79
Peter Drowzdowicz '92
Bill Gendel '83
Rob Kornahrens '79
Gary Nash '86
Brian O'Connell '91
Tom Pancrazzi '85
Robert Tate

Red and Blue Blood
David Ball '87
Ryan Barner '91
Robert Blohm '92
Fran Boland '88
Joe Brabant
Ben Brown '03
Lee Burton '74
Scott Campbell '98
Mike Crist '02
Brent Demko
John Donoghue '87
Joel DVoskin '76
Jim Field '72
Tony Filler '87
Matt Gerrow '99
Ian Gregor '02
Doug Hood '06
James Kai '01
Thamas Kincaid '84
Bill Knapp'84
Tim Knox
Knute Knutson '74
Dan Lee '74
George Marshall '77
Mitch McEntyre '06
Tex Moore '88
Steve Orth '82
John Palmer '84
K.J. Reynolds '83
Doug Roosevelt '99
David Sprecace '84
Gabriel Torre
Brent Webber '89
Peter Wyatt
Michael Ward '92

The Arizona Rugby Alumni Association 2007 Membership as of April 19 Goal for 2007: 150 members Number of Members as of today: 33 President's Club John Morgan Kendrick Morley Brian O'Hearn Captain's Supporters Brad Cox Rob Kornahrens Brad Pollard Bear Down Patron Peter Drozdowicz Joe Figueroa Erick Wick Red & Blue Blood James Kai Jeff Lewis Arizona Rugby Alumni Club 2007 Jason Arcaro '98 David Ball '87 Geoff Ball '02 Bruce Beck '79 Fran Boland '88 Chris Bloomer '95 Brad Cox '76 Doug Cook '70 Peter Drozdowicz Joel Dvoskin '76/'81 Joe Figueroa '97 John Jacobs '82 James Kai '01 Rob Kornahrens '79 Greg Lim Jeff Lewis '75 John Morgan '82 Kendrick Morley Neil O'donnell '87 Brian O'Hearn '82 Brad Pollard '87 Mike Proctor '84 Andrew "Sparky" Riesenberg '88 George Roberts '88 Billy Scott '79 Joe Schmitt '03 Joe Seaton '94 Dave Sitton '78 Gabe Torre '97 John Vasseur '78 Mike Ward '92 Eric Wick '91 Steve Zalkin '83 Please join today. Download the membership form below. Thank you for supporting the Wildcats! Download Alumni Membership Form (PDF) FAQs: RE ARIZONA RUGBY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 1. What's the difference between this year's ask for donations and previous ones? At the suggestion of concerned alumni, we have restructured the alumni support program in such a way as to sustain support for the current team. Alumni club members are asked to pay 1/2 the current players rate for annual dues. For instance, all UA players now pay $100.00 per semester as dues ( does not include equipment or travel ). Alums are asked to pay the equivelent of one semster or one half of the annual dues. This is to be a sustaining program with alums renewing each year. 2. What about previous gifts? Every gift made payable to the UA Foundation was logged and processed through the Foundation. We are presently constructing an all time donor list with total amounts of contributions. 3. What about the special gifts? We encourage special gifts to the program. Soon, we will send you a listing of all of the special gift opportunities which are above and beyond annual $100 dues. 4. Non Foundation Purchases? In order to comply with Foundation policies and IRS rules, we will conduct all merchandise purchases and other transactions outside the foundation. ( We are limited in the amount we can expend on a gift to our donors.) All of our Foundation contributions may be used for tax deduction purposes. 5. What about the golf tournament? Former players who purchase a $200.00 tee sign for the Strong & Tough will be credited for $100.00 worth of annual alumni dues although the donation will not be run through the Foundation. Actual greens fees and tournament entries must be regarded as transactions outside the Foundation and beyond annual alumni association dues. Arizona Alumni Invited to Historic Match The Arizona rugby program will turn a new page this Friday night, January 26. We will open our conference play at our new on-campus home field. The University has finally given us a pitch on UA property at Rincon Vista. Rincon Vista is the old “Plumer Field” which many of you will remember as an annex for PE classes. Over the years, the Drachman Track and Field Stadium and Murphy Soccer Stadium have been constructed on the site. Now we have our own field. Friday night we take on UC San Diego in our conference opener. The varsity match kicks off at 6:00 p.m. On Sunday at 12:30 we take on Claremont Colleges. All of the current Wildcats are anxious to meet the pioneers who have helped blaze the trail for the program. If you are in Arizona, and more specifically in Tucson, please make every effort to attend at least one if not both of our matches this weekend. Bring your family and friends. You’ll be proud of your Arizona rugby heritage. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call Dave Sitton on his cell at 520-907-4758.

Arizona Alumni Invited to Historic Match The Arizona rugby program will turn a new page this Friday night, January 26. We will open our conference play at our new on-campus home field. The University has finally given us a pitch on UA property at Rincon Vista. Rincon Vista is the old “Plumer Field” which many of you will remember as an annex for PE classes. Over the years, the Drachman Track and Field Stadium and Murphy Soccer Stadium have been constructed on the site. Now we have our own field. Friday night we take on UC San Diego in our conference opener. The varsity match kicks off at 6:00 p.m. On Sunday at 12:30 we take on Claremont Colleges. All of the current Wildcats are anxious to meet the pioneers who have helped blaze the trail for the program. If you are in Arizona, and more specifically in Tucson, please make every effort to attend at least one if not both of our matches this weekend. Bring your family and friends. You’ll be proud of your Arizona rugby heritage. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call Dave Sitton on his cell at 520-907-4758. Generations of Wildcat Alums at Homecoming Players from the 1970s, 80s, 90s and the current decade converged on the McKale Center lawn on Saturday, Nov. 11, for the observance of Homecoming. The University of Arizona rugby team hosted a tailgate prior to the Arizona/California football game. The alumni were hosted by members of the current team and were treated to a spectacular Arizona upset victory over the 8th ranked Golden Bears. It was the first time in years that the Wildcat rugby program hosted a Homecoming event. It was decided that it will become an annual event. Alumni players posed with current Wildcats and the University of Arizona pom-pom line in a photograph taken along the UA mall. Returning to Arizona for Homecoming 2006 were: 1970s Steve Brossart Don Coleman Mark Hanshaw Pat Hennessy Dean Moeller Sean Mooney Dave Sitton 1980s Jay Angus Dan Beaver Bill Gendel Judd Grubbs Mike Lyles John Jacobs John Morgan Brian O’Hearn Doug Potts Clark Wilson Glenn Wollenberg 1990s Mike Bennett Andrew Brischke Mike Coleman Mike Crist Kevin Friedman Zach Harrison James Kai Trey Smith 2000s Geoff Ball Ben Braun Ross Hammonds Doug Hood Vi Sallas Ryan Tovani Mark Your Calendars for Alumni Events: PAC-10 Tournament – UCLA – January 20 and 21 Big Game versus Arizona State – Saturday, April 26, Rincon Vista, 6:00 p.m. Strong and Tough Golf Tournament, Arizona National Golf Club, Friday, March 31. Homecoming 2007 – TBA

SPECIAL TO UA ALUMNI Homecoming 2006 Update The University’s November 11 Homecoming football game has been switched to a 1:30 p.m. kickoff to accommodate ABC. The Wildcats will take on the nationally ranked California Golden Bears. All Arizona Rugby Alumni are welcome to visit our Homecoming RV on the UA mall on Saturday! The RV will be located on the center strip of the mall, just east of Cherry Avenue. Look for our banner on the vehicle. We'll be open at 10:30 a.m. through kick off. We'll reopen for one hour after the game. Beat Cal! Kick off is 1:30 p.m. As usual, Wildcat rugby apparel will be available for sale by the University players. We look forward to seeing you!

Date with the Devils Changed The Fall non-conference match between Arizona and ASU has been shifted from Saturday, December 2 to Sunday, December 3. We'll play at the ASU Band Field on Rural Road. 11:30 Arizona C 1:00 Arizona Varsity 2:30 Arizona Junior Varsity Save the Date: Opening Night at New Pitch The University of Arizona rugby team will play its first match on its new home field at Rincon Vista on Friday evening, January 26, when the Cats take on UC San Diego. It will be the first league match and match of any kind for Arizona on its new pitch. All rugby alumni and their families and friends are invited to the match, which will kick off at 6:00 p.m. Also, the team will play Claremont College—new to the league—on Sunday, January 28 at Rincon Vista. We look forward to seeing as many alumni as possible at our events!