Pack,

Last Thursday our Wolves beat a very fit and well coached Dartmouth team 49-17.  The score was not indicative of how close the game actually was.  During the opening minutes, Dartmouth intercepted and ran back a try.  They made it very hard for us to play our game plan.  However, our guys adjusted at half and came out with a better team attitude and came away with a win.

The team would like to thank the University of Dartmouth for coming down South to play a quality match.  Dartmouth is at the very top of the list when it comes to representing their university and the game of rugby in a classy and well prepared manner.  Their coach, Alex Magleby, is outstanding in his direction for their program.

This is the second, high quality home game in a row, and I can only hope that the two games will prepare us better for the upcoming tournaments.  We play the University of South Carolina in Murfreesboro, TN March 27 (game at 4:00) in a must win game to get to the round of 16.  This is a quality team who has improved tremendously and we will not take them lightly.  “One and done,” is the motto now as we are in a must win situation.

Again, I was overwhelmed by the home support from the community, student body, and the SGA at last Thursday’s home match.  Special thanks to the SGA as they made it a special day and did a tremendous job in promoting the match. 

We have some work to do and will not be out worked by any team in our preparations for the upcoming games.  We hope to make our loyal supporters proud in the following months.

 Best,

Coach

March 8, 2010

I want to thank our St. Charles and Illinois parents for coming down this weekend and cooking the post match meal. It was great! I know both teams enjoyed it. Furthermore, it was good to have some parents around at our home game. You guys do not know how much I appreciate your efforts and the money you raised. Thank you again.

As for the game, playing Life’s Super League side was a great learning experience. I feel our team learned that they can play with anyone in the country and the standard of play that is necessary to beat a great team. LIFE were perfect gentlemen this weekend. No cheap shots, no cussing, they just got on with the game and put forth some clinical rugby. This is a great example for my young men to see as often is the case where they see the sport of rugby represented in a negative fashion. Dan Payne really has the Life team clicking and we wish the best of luck to them this season.

We will go back to the drawing board this week and keep tightening up our play. I am really proud of the team’s effort and their willingness to learn. It is encouraging because the areas where I see we need work can be fixed.

Check out our schedule for the upcoming weeks below.

Have a great week!

Coach

• Thursday March 18th: 2p.m. kick off home game vs. Dartmouth (As and Bs)
• Spring Break training camp March 20-25
• Leave for Murfreesboro March 26
• South Finals March 27 and 28th
• Travel back to Jonesboro the March 28th
  
  We are staying at:
  
  Baymont Inn & Suites I-24, Exit 78 2230
  Armory Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
  615-896-1172
  Free hot breakfast, Outdoor pool, Coffee Makers, Meeting room

 
Monday February 15, 2010

Weather, weather, weather….

Once again I am looking outside and see huge snowflakes, quite beautiful actually.  Then I remember that I have to plan a practice with a team who loves to play exciting and expansive rugby.  Luckily, Dr. Howard the university’s Vice Chancellor, Provost, has made available resources that allow us to practice indoors.  While basketball courts are not ideal for rugby, they are better than no practice at all. 

I wanted to take this chance to inform parents and supporters alike about the many progressive changes that are currently taking place for the Rugby Program.

·         Management of the Rugby Program has been worked into my job duties, allowing me crucial time to plan, implement, travel and otherwise for the good of the program

·         We have access to indoor courts which are utilized exclusively for the rugby team at set times

·         We have access to a free weight room;  access is allowed only to rugby players at the set times

·         This week we are adding certified athletic trainers to have ice, tape, wraps, etc… at practices and games

·         For our injured players we have access to the top physical therapist in town and have the full support of the same orthopedic doctors the football team uses

·         Dr. Braden is still lending his time and expertise as our Rugby Doctor…he wears many different hats under this title

·         Dr. Howard is soliciting construction material donations for the rugby field house that will begin asap

·         After construction materials are realized we will need to raise money for the labor to actual build the complex

For you parents, I cannot brag on these young men enough.  For my first year coaching, I couldn’t have had a better group to start with.

So far the game is on with Oklahoma University this weekend, I will try to post on coaches corner asap after the match.

Warmest Regards,

Matt Huckaby

February 10, 2010

Dear parents, recruits, alumni and rugby supporters:

We have decided to start a “coach’s corner” which I will try to update, much sooner in the future, with the latest game information, how the team is doing on the whole, etc…

Last weekend we played a mixture of the Dallas Super League Men’s Team.  We won 34-7 and were fortunate enough to play a lot of our reserves.  Roland, Clint, and David Caswell all had spectacular games.  It is hard to single these three out, as I felt the team as a whole really bought into the game plan and created opportunities for these three.  In fact, David’s 80 meter try was set up by a goal line stand which held off 12 phases of good rugby from a good men’s club.  At the end of this phase, we finally were able to steal the ball, which Roland then kicked immediately out of our territory.  The foot race was on between David and their winger to the ball which was now lying at the fifty from Roland’s kick.  Upon arrival, David skillfully soccer kicked the ball forward twice more before landing on it in the try zone.  Absolutely beautiful team effort on defense, followed by a heads up play from Roland, and eventually capped off by one of the prettiest tries I have seen in Rugby.  What’s more is David calmly got up and displayed perfect sportsmanship, walking back to kick the conversion. 

Our domestic players also had a big day in multiple roles.  Pat Sullivan has decided that he is a good defender at 10, and put in 8 tackles and great kicking.  Jake Mizell had the opportunity to play against his big brother.  Gerald McIrnnerney is quickly learning the ropes of how to play in the trenches from Roan.  I could go on and on….

Both games we have played have been in wet, sloppy weather, but our boys are adjusting well to it.  Like most of the country, we are battling the weather right now and have had to practice inside many days.  I am happy to report that this has presented us an opportunity to bond and become a team.  I see the boys grow everyday and come April I would not bet against us. Now if the weather would just warm up so we could play some expansive rugby!

I will try to update this page often and keep all of our supporters “plugged in” to the new down South.

Warmest Regards,

Matt Huckaby