Collegiate Sevens Championship on NBC (Columbus Crew Stadium)

Discussion in 'Rugby & Aussie Rules' started by yankee_rob, Mar 7, 2010.

  1. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  2. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://rugbysevens.nbcsports.com/

    Sat., Game 1: San Diego State 26 vs. Indiana 0

    Sat Jun 05,2010 9:54 AM ET By Buzz McClain

    First kick is exactly at 10 a.m.
    Duncan Klem scores for San Diego State, kick is good, 7-0 with 3 to go in the first half.
    Alex Main muscles over for SDS's second try. Chris Bredesen's kick is good, 14-0 and so far it's not much of a game. 2:45 to go.
    Captain Alex Ross breaks free at midfield for the Aztecs, kick hits the post. 19-0 and still there's 1:15 to play in the first half.
    IU had the ball poached -- actually, ripped out of a player's hands -- at the Aztec goal line to stop an encouraging rally.
    19-0 at the half.
    Second half: Not a lot happening. IU seems to have figured some things out regarding defense. Hold on. Bredesen finishes off a long movement by breaking free for a try, and his conversion is good. 26-0.
    Mark Cuban's Mudsharks were valiant, but maybe they'll do better against Florida at 2, which kicks off the Universal TV coverage.

    Sat., Game 2: Tennessee 32 vs. Florida 0, hoo haa!

    Sat Jun 05,2010 9:59 AM ET By Buzz McClain

    It was all Tennessee for this one. The Gators didn't get their offense going at all. Samuel Anderson and Mason Howard both put over two tries for the Volunteers, with Jonathan Brown adding another to demolish the Gators 27-0. It wasn't a laugher but it wasn't pretty either.
    Wait, Benji Goff just added another try at the buzzer, so your final score is 32-0. Good ball handling by the Vols.

    Sat., Game 3: Army 12 vs. Arizona State 15

    Sat Jun 05,2010 10:00 AM ET By Buzz McClain

    Sun Devils score on the wet field first with Rashad Saleem sliding over for the score in the first minute. Somebody drank their Fast Juice this a.m.
    Army drove Arizona State back, back, back and attacked like the 22 area was Falujah. But Saleem's got new shoes on and his fast break to beyond midfield relieved the pressure.
    Ryan Thompson banged his way through the Army defense at the goal line to roll into a try at the 1:30 mark in the first half. The kick missed. 10-0, ASU.
    Second half: The sun is shining! On the Sun Devils, duh. On Saleem, again. 15-0 with 4:30. But wait, Army gets a break and a timely stiff arm from Uiki Ben Leatigaga who showed his power by bowling over several Sun Devils on his way to a score. 15-5 with 3:30. Enough time for an Army rally?
    Yes. Will Holder breaks away for a try down the middle. Kick is good. 15-12 with less than a minute. Can Army come back?
    Nope.


    Sat., Game 4: Arizona 19 vs. Navy 14, saluuute

    Sat Jun 05,2010 11:20 AM ET By Buzz McClain

    The Wildcats go up early with a diving try by scrumhalf Brett Moore, followed a minute later with a big run by Brett Thompson and then two minutes later by Jason Fass. Halftime score: 19-0 and with the exception of a couple of big hits, Navy is still in the dock.
    Second half: All right, Navy gets on the board with a converted try after a mad scramble at the goal line. 19-7. Here comes the comeback . . .?
    Elliott Joses escapes a tackle and runs 40 yards for another Navy try. 19-14, 3 minutes to go! The comeback is happening.
    But Joses is leaving the field with 2:18 to go. He's injured, but walking off. Still, Navy's leading scorer is off the field.
    But no. Despite an extra minute of Navy movement after the hooter, they fail to get in. 19-14 to Arizona is your final.


    Sat., Game 5: Cal 17 vs. Notre Dame 7

    Sat Jun 05,2010 11:23 AM ET By Buzz McClain

    Just a small psychological advantage here, showing a glowing hagiography of Cal coach Jack Clark on the jumbo screen as the Notre Dame players stand at the tunnel waiting to take the field. Wonder whose idea that was?
    Derek Asbun scores twice in the first half. 12-0 to Cal against a young, deer-in-the-headlights Fighting Irish squad.
    Second half: The stadium loudspeakers are playing AC-DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long," which is what the idea of playing Cal the next day must have done to the Notre Dame lads at bed time last night.
    The cherry has been popped! Nick Severyn, ND captain, dives over from 10 meters out for the first points of the tournament against Cal. 12-7 with 3:30 to go, lots of time, right?
    Blaine Scully nearly does it all himself but lets Asbun finish off a powerful run through three defenders to make it 17-7 with a little better than a minute to go.
    Cal wins 17-7, but this probably was not the way the Golden Bears' game was drawn up at this morning's meeting.

    Sat., Game 6: Dartmouth 38 vs. Harvard 5, who's the smartypants now?
    Sat Jun 05,2010 11:25 AM ET By Buzz McClain

    Big Green and Crimson traded slipped tackle tries to make the score 7-5 to Dartmouth for most of the half. There must have been a minute and a half of extra time -- the ball never stopped -- before Dartmouth scored again to finish the half 12-5. So far, nothing fancy, just a lot of fast passes and quick tackles. If not for the few missed first-up tackles, this could be 0-0. Can Harvard work its way back?
    Second half: Nick Downer makes it through the middle in the first minute of the second half; Derek Fish's kick is good and the score is 19-5. The clock is stoped while Harvard captain Teddy Barron is tended to and eventually helped hobbling off the field. Here's hoping he's good for the 3 p.m. TV game on Universal.
    Fish swims through the Crimson tide for another try in the middle; his kick is good and it's 26-5. Things are going downhill fast for coach David Gonzales' Harvard. By the way, when he was living in his native England, he was the ONLY David Gonzales in the phone book, he told me. That changed when he moved to the U.S. -- boy, did it ever.
    Dartmouth scores again. Oy. 31-5. Harvard lost yesterday to Cal, 42-0; I haven't done the math but I think they are winning the Points Against stat.
    Your final: Dartmouth a whopping 31 to Harvard's 5.
    No, wait! After the hooter Nick Downer dashed through a few tackles to score again. Your new final: Big Green 38, Crimson 5.


    Sat., Game 7: Ohio State 12 vs. Bowling Green 0

    Sat Jun 05,2010 12:25 PM ET By Buzz McClain

    The crowd of 30,000 plus or minus a few dozen thousand finally gets into it when The Ohio State gets on the board first in this Battle of Ohio.
    Nate Ebner, who just a minute ago saved a try with a bruising sideline tackle at the Buckeye 5, forces his way into the in-goal on the other end of the field for a try that leaves the half time score 12-0.
    Second half: Roccco Mauer never got loose, and when he got the ball, Ebner was there like an animal lurking on the fringe. Hard hits, good passes, just a couple of missed opportunities. 12-0 to OSU is your final.


    Sat., Game 8: Penn State 7 vs. Utah Utes 24

    Sat Jun 05,2010 12:27 PM ET By Buzz McClain

    Utes vs. Lions?
    "Prediction? I predict pain."
    (Name the movie.)
    Thretton (pronouned Threaten) Palamo is on the WING! No he's not, he's UNDER the goal posts in the first 15 seconds. Conversion is good, how could it not be, being right in the middle? Whoops, it missed. 5-0 Utes.
    Palamo is 6'4, 235. You can't stop him with one tackler, because he'll put a move on him and scoot by at 35 miles an hour, or he'll break your arms as he breaks your tackle.
    Scrum half Don Pati streaked down the middle as the new rain front opened up. This time Blake Miller's kick is good, and it's 12-0, Utahhhh at the hhhhalf.
    No wait, at the buzzer Penn's David Adewumi very nearly stepped out at the 10 but remarkably didn't (man, it was CLOSE) and scored for the Nittany Lions. Your new half time score is 12-7, Utahhhhharh.
    Second half: The storm front is blowing Palamo's dreads at a right angle right into Penn State's face. He's now playing prop. He's just scored by reaching his left hand with the ball in it over the goal line with a player on his back. He probably likes it that way.17-7, Utah. This score came off a marginal not-in-straight call against Penn State's lineout. Could be huge.
    This is getting boring. Mike Wunderli just plunged over for Utah-argh. 24-7, with 10 seconds . . . 9 . . . 8 . . .



    Sat Game 9: Florida 17 vs. Indiana 21

    Sat Jun 05,2010 12:28 PM ET By Buzz McClain

    And we're live!
    Those of you who can't find Universal, I'm here for you. Just Comment liberally. I get paid a bonus for each one, good or bad. As you can see, I'm going broke.
    IU's Evan Kaufam goes the wrong side of the field for a Mudshark try. The covnersion is good, 7-0 with 3:50 to play in the half.
    IU's Kaufman is dragged along his goal line until he has to release and it's fallen on by . . . cripes, a Gator. 7-5 as the kick misses.
    Kaufman again, running two thirds the length of the field and makes the safety miss him. Kick is good. 14-5, Indiana. Mark Cuban must be happy.
    Prop Martin Spies in support scores at the hooter for the Gators. The kick hits the upright, and could come back to haunt them on the bitten butt, to use all those cliches. 14-10 Mudsharks at the half.
    Second half: Daniel Kamholz gets past one defender and scores after a pretty easy 40 yard run. With 2 minutes to go it's IU 21-10.
    Brett Stubbs scores for the Gators; the senior from Palm Beach dove over from the 5 to make it 21-17. Where's that missed conversion now?
    Well, it doesn't matter. 21-17 to the Mudsharks in their first victory of the weekend


    Sat Game 10: Arizona 15 vs. Arizona State 7

    Sat Jun 05,2010 12:29 PM ET By Buzz McClain

    Brett Thompson, one of two Thompson brothers -- the other is Ryan -- playing against each other (with dad Salty coaching State against his son Brett), got the first try on the board for Arizona. 5-0 but ASU is hunting.
    Joe Blum takes a pass at his own 40 to carrying all the way for Arizona's second try. 10-0.
    A fake stiff arm to the face by Carl Jensen warns a defender not to even try to stop him. And he doesn't. 15-0.
    Second half: So far a whole lot of nothing with 4 minutes to go. Maybe neither of these Arizona teams is used to playing in overcast weather.
    ASU's Stevie Johnston barrels over the line to make it a two score game, 15-7 with 2:30 to go. Plenty of time, right?
    I don't see any true impact players. No organization here, both teams seem confused.
    There's your final, 15-7 Wildcats.


    Sat Game 11: Harvard 0 vs. Notre Dame 15

    Sat Jun 05,2010 2:41 PM ET By Buzz McClain

    A huge balloon pass at the 5 minute mark from Andy Mullen to Patrick Toole lead to the Fighting Irish's first try. 5-0.
    Notre Dame's defense isn't letting Harvard's offense get very far.
    Nick Severyn, the Irish captain, scores off a 5-meter scrummage. Kick misses, 10-0. Harvard can't figure out how to solve this physics problem called defense.
    Second half: ND's Nick Civetta is 6'7, 254. Not much else going on in this game. Unless you're playing. Looks like fun.
    Harvard's Jaime Zobel de Ayala goes out with a yellow card (a 2 minute sin binning) and ND scores through the gap where Jamie would have been. 15-0 with less than a minute to play.
    And that, as they say, is all she -- Our Lady, in this case -- wrote. Wait, Harvard is playing shirts and skins. Makes good TV, I guess.



    Sat Game 12: Utah 14 vs. Bowling Green 10


    Sat Jun 05,2010 2:42 PM ET By Buzz McClain

    A missed tackle springs Don Pati down the middle. 7-0 after one minute.
    They've put Palamo on Rocco.
    But Rocco scores in the corner from a set piece at the 5-meter. It wasn't easy but they got it in. 7-5 to Utah with 2 minutes to go.
    Your half time score is 7-5.
    Second half: They're playing Lady Gaga on the overhead. Now they stop. I wonder if Utah is going to play Utah Gag Gag. Can underdogs Bowling Green pull this off?
    Palamo is on the opposite wing from Rocco! A big mistake because Rocco turns the corner is off! But he knocks on in goal! No score. Dang.
    But BGSU steals the scrummage and scores on an outstretched hand. They take the lead with 4:04, 10-7.
    Rocco on a try-saving tackle from behind at the goal line! BGSU's ball, with 2:30 to go. But they blow it by throwing it out the back of the in-goal. Now it's Utah's ball at the 5. Never a good idea.
    But again BGSU steals the put in and a huge clearing kick sends the ball into touch all the way to the Ute's 35.
    Utah storms back. 30 seconds left and guess who? Thretton Palamo scores and that, I fear is the end of BGSU's valiant comeback. Your final score: 14-10, Utes. That was close. And I'm sure Cal was watching

    Now it will be live on NBC!!!
     
  3. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://rugbysevens.nbcsports.com/

    San Diego State 19 vs. Tennessee 14

    Sat Jun 05,2010 3:27 PM ET By Buzz McClain

    The rain-delayed match finally kicked off.
    Sand Diego State scored first, by Duncan Kelly, but Tennessee's Jonathan Houck answered back pretty fast. It was 7-7 for a few minutes before SDS's Alex Ross dashed in for a fairly easy try. 14-7 with 1 minute to go. Are these kids getting tired?
    Ouch! Tennessee's Jonathan Brown just took a head to the face. It took an injury minute, but he's up -- and off.
    Second half: A lot of tit for tat for the longest time. Been reading the Comments to the other posts. You guys are hilarious. I should try to be more controversial, I guess.
    Whoa, Nick Evans just scored for the Vols, which, with the good kick by Samuel Anderson, ties the game with 3 minutes to go.
    Two Volunteers are involuntarily clobbered each other. Meanwhile, the Aztecs take advantage of the lack of orange shirts that are upright and score. Kick misses. 19-14 with 1:20 to go.
    A hurry up offense by the Vols doesn't help much. Actually a good, tight, very defensive chess match, with injury time.


    Army 7 vs. Navy 7

    Sat Jun 05,2010 3:51 PM ET By Buzz McClain

    How the stadium music director missed Gang of Four's "I Love a Man in a Uniform" for this one, I don't know. Even the referee, ZinZan, is in the military, making it unanimous. No dreadlocks on this field.
    0-0 at the half. Army tied Arizona yesterday 5-5. ZinZan was the ref for that one too. Here's hoping someone scores in the . . .
    . . . Second half:
    Hooker Tom Magnuson won the footrace for Navy and posted the try between the post at the 3 minute to go mark. The kick is good. 7-0 Navy. 2.30 to go.
    A converted try ties it.
    Army is playing a man shy with a minute to go as someone is injured downfield. He's been subbed at 30 seconds to play.
    Wow! With 10 seconds left Will Holder for Army made a HUGE break to the middle of the posts; the kick is good and with the final score 7-7, the game ends in a tie. It's the second tie for Army. And ZinZan.
    By the way, there is a "penalty" among referees if you "allow" a game to end in a tie. You have to provide champagne to the other refs that night. In ZinZan's case, that should be two bottles.


    Cal 29 vs. Dartmouth 0

    Sat Jun 05,2010 3:52 PM ET By Buzz McClain

    After some promising sequences of creating chaos in the Cal backline, Dartmouth seemed to have the Golden Bears a little confused. No matter, they worked it out in open space and before long Colin Hawley charged in for the first points. 5-0 with 2 minutes to go.
    A non-try to Cal ends the half. There was no touch down as the Cal player put it on a Dartmouth tackler.
    Second half: Dustin Muhn finishes a Cal movement and the kick is good and yada yada, it's 12-0, Dartmouth ain't coming back. In fact, Keegan Englebrecht of Texas dashes it in and despite a kick in the chest after he scored (yellow card to the Dartmouth offender, Derek Fish), it's now 17-0.
    And now Connor Ring takes one in, and after the kick (which is good), it's 24-0.
    But wait, with 25 seconds left, Seamus Kelly scores, it's now 29-0.
    Cal certainly puts the TITLE in Entitlement.
    Cal wins, but you can bet Utah was watching.



    Ohio State 19 vs. Penn State 12

    Sat Jun 05,2010 3:52 PM ET By Buzz McClain

    It takes a full two minutes but Penn State prop Mike Erickson bulls through the Buckeye defense for the first score of the game. Kick is good, Penn State 7-0.
    Josh Holland jukes a Penn State defender after a 60 yard run, juking him so bad his jock, or his shoe I can't tell, is on the field. 7-7 with 3:20 to play in the half. It's his shoe.
    Nate Ebner is lurking, biding his time. The dude bides.
    Whoowee: 7-7 at the half. The next 7 minutes should be a doozy. The hometown fans are losing their minds. Meanwhile, Nate Ebner lurks. He bides.
    Second half: Well, Ebner got his hands on the ball and 70 yards and several embarrassed Nittany Lions later, he dots it in the middle. 14-7, OSU. 5:30 to go.
    A turnover causes another Buckeye try, so here we go, I'm getting a little claustrophobic, what with this Penn State getting buried and all. 19-7 and a long, long 3:30 to go.
    OSU is on fire. Could they beat Cal at this temperature? I'm not sure but it's certainly be destructive. I mean, INstructive.
    Kevin Kimble just whacked Ebner full on as he stood up from a tackle, completely fair, but what a wallop. Ebner needed to shake it off. PSU has been threatening for 2 minutes.
    They finally get it in the far left corner for 5 but it's too late and too little, to turn a phrase around. Final score, 19-12 OSU.
     
  4. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://www.rugbymag.com/news/sevens/collegiate-7s/final-cci-pool-standings.aspx


    Final CCI Pool Standings

    Pool A W L T Pf Pa Pd Pts
    Cal 3 0 0 88 7 81 9
    Dartmouth 2 1 0 57 39 18 7
    Notre Dame 1 2 0 12 51 -39 5
    Harvard 0 3 0 20 80 -60 3


    Pool B W L T Pf Pa Pd Pts
    San Diego State 3 0 0 62 21 41 9
    Tennessee 2 1 0 70 29 41 7
    Indiana 1 2 0 31 67 -36 5
    Florida 0 3 0 24 70 -46 3


    Pool C W L T Pf Pa Pd Pts
    Arizona 2 0 1 39 26 13 8
    Navy 1 1 1 33 36 -3 6
    Arizona State 1 2 0 32 39 -7 5
    Army 0 1 2 24 27 -3 5


    Pool D W L T Pf Pa Pd Pts
    Utah 3 0 0 57 27 30 9
    Ohio State 2 1 0 41 31 10 7
    Bowling Green 1 2 0 29 36 -7 5
    Penn State 0 3 0 31 65 -34 3

    The top two in each group move on to the Championship 1/4 finals and the bottom two go on to the Challenger 1/4 finals. This would mean tomorrows matchups are.

    Challengers 1/4 Finals

    Notre Dame vs. Florida
    Indiana vs. Harvard
    Arizona State vs. Penn State
    Bowling Green vs. Army

    Championship 1/4 Finals

    Cal vs.Tennessee
    San Diego State vs. Dartmouth
    Arizona vs. Ohio State
    Utah vs. Navy
     
  5. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    NBC Sports video: Rugby Sevens highlights

    Rugby Sevens highlights

    June 6: Take a look at some of the best action from the inaugural Collegiate Championship Invitational with games featuring teams like Cal, Dartmouth, Ohio State and more.

    http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/37531674#37531674
     
  6. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Buzz Mclain's Blog



    http://rugbysevens.nbcsports.com/

    USA Eagles defeat Russia in Rugby 15s
    Sun Jun 06,2010 1:48 PM ET By Buzz McClain
    Yesterday in Denver, actually Glendale, Colo., the US Men's National Team defeated the Russians in the opening rounds of the two-weekend-long Churchill Cup. Results can be found, oh, I don't know, how about here? In fact, you can get the results of all the rugby stuff that's happening this busy weekend, including the D1, 2 and 3 national finals.
    CCI, Collegiate Championship Invitational, NBC, rugby, rugby sevens 0 comments

    Championship Quarter Final: Utah vs. Navy
    Sun Jun 06,2010 1:26 PM ET By Buzz McClain
    Whoops. These games have been quarter finals. Oh, OK. I thought the day was going pretty quickly.
    In any case, Thretton Palamo is on the field in all his wavy hair glory. I caught up with him last night and noticed his locks are not dreads after all. He's a very soft spoken young man, makes a good impression.
    Don Pati, and his neon green shoes, gets the Utes on the board first as Thretton is unceremoniously dumped at midfield after off-loading a pass. 7-0 but the Middies are moving.
    2:53 to go in the first half.
    Utah prop Danny James gets in for the second try. 12-0. A buck fifty to play.
    Second half: Good defense by Navy keeps Utah out of in-goal for 2 minutes but Pati runs in another try when left alone. 17-0. Navy would have to amount a significant comeback at this point but I don't feel the love.
    I just found out Don Pati is a freshman. Yikes.
    So is Thretton Palamo! Double yikes! You don't think of a guy who's 21 being a freshman in college, but apparently his Rugby World Cup call up a few years ago put his academic aspirations on hold.
    Navy is attacking. But not for long. Utah gets it back. 1:30 to go.
    Palamo is replaced to save his energy, as if he needed it.
    Palamo's replacement, captain fly half Blake Miller, goes 60 yards for the final try of the game. Your final score, 24-0.
    It wasn't pretty, and the entire Cal team was in the bleachers watching.


    CCI, Collegiate Championship Invitational, NBC, rugby, rugby sevens 0 comments

    Championship Semi-Final: Arizona vs. The Ohio State
    Sun Jun 06,2010 1:23 PM ET By Buzz McClain
    Nate Ebner is playing fullback for the Buckeyes. He's making open-field tackles like a free safety. If the Wildcats are going to score they'll need an interception. And guess what? They got it. Wing Carl Jensen snatches a pass at the 5 and dives in. 7-0 to Arizona. 4:30 to go in the first half.
    While Ebner was dumping a Wildcat, Brett Moore went screaming down the middle off a pass by said dumped 'Cat for the second score. 14-0. Big Mo (mentum) is with Arizona. Can the Buckeyes get their mojo going and get Big Mo on their side?
    Ebner out runs Arizona's Jensen to score in the corner after a 70 yard run. 14-5 at the half.
    Second half: The Buckeyes need a score in a hurry.
    Too late. The Wildcats Sergey Pitman comes up with a pass from the middle and scores under the posts. Kick is good. 21-5 with 4 minutes to go. The Buckeyes need a hero, in a hurry.
    3 minutes.
    Ebner is upended at the 2 but Buckeye Robert Rhodes comes up with it and scores. 21-10, 1:50 to play.
    1 minute to go.
    45 seconds, Wildcats turn it over.


    CCI, Collegiate Championship Invitational, NBC, rugby, rugby sevens 1 comment

    Championship Semi-Final: San Diego State vs. Dartmouth
    Sun Jun 06,2010 12:28 PM ET By Buzz McClain
    Alex Ross, San Diego State's captain, shows the Aztecs the way to in-goal with the first try of the game. 5-0.
    With 1:50 in the half Chris Bredesen makes a sharp move and scores for SDS. He converts, 12-0.
    Dartmouth's Peter Pidermann scores next to the post well into post-hooter time. Halftime, 12-7, with the mighty momentum moving east.
    Second half: SDS scores just once in 7 minutes for a final of 17-7. The Aztecs move on and Big Green gets the blues.
    CCI, Collegiate Championship Invitational, NBC, rugby, rugby sevens 1 comment

    Championship Bracket Semi-Final: Cal vs. Tennessee
    Sun Jun 06,2010 12:24 PM ET By Buzz McClain
    You have to wonder how Tennessee's boys slept last night knowing they had to play Cal first up today. Because, you know, they're not Cal.
    The referee for this match, Ed ZinZan Gardner, was seen last night wearing a kilt made out of rugby neckties. It was his "reward" for refereeing the two games that ended up in ties. Ties, get it? (Rugby humor is very often an acquired skill, like drop kicks.)


    Colin Hawley scores first for Cal, with a long run down the sidelines. Kick is wide. 5-0 with 3:50 to go in the first half.
    Derek Asbun notches another of his tries this weekend. Seldom the scorer in rugby 15s, he's tearing up the in-goal in Rugby Sevens. He had a hat trick vs. Notre Dame yesterday. 12-0 is your halftime score.
    No, sorry, with 15 seconds left Dusin Muhn dashed in for another Cal try. Plus the conversion, your halftime score is 19-0. For sure.
    Second half: Well, that didn't take long. Seamus Kelly finishes off a Cal movement from the kick off to score in the first 20 seconds. 26-0. Can Cal better its score of 42-0 from Friday night vs. Harvard?
    Kelly does it again 2 minutes later, and it's getting easier. 31-0.
    It's a hat trick for Kelly. 2:50 left and the score is 36-0.
    Two more minutes to beat 42 points. Forgive me but it's the only drama of the game.
    Alas, the scoring stops at 36. Cal moves up, the Volunteers involuntarily go home.


    CCI, Collegiate Championship Invitational, NBC, rugby, rugby sevens 0 comments

    Challenger Semi-Final: Bowling Green vs. Army
    Sun Jun 06,2010 11:31 AM ET By Buzz McClain
    Rocco Mauer ran 50 yards down the sideline just inches away from the paint before pulling away for his first try of the day.
    And he just did it again, taking a pass at the 5 and diving in for his second try of the day.
    Army answered with a try by Dan Moulton.
    The score at the half is 10-5, BGSU.
    Second half: Wait! It's NOT the halftime score. Army just took the ball from their own goal line through the Bowling Green defense -- every player must have touched it -- to cap the drive with a try by Uiki Ben Leatigaga. The conversion was good. Army takes the lead 12-10.
    Now: Second half: Rocco hurt himself chasing down a kick into his in-goal; while he was being seen to by the medic, the Falcons were getting busy on the other side of the field with Joey Newton plunging in for the go-ahead try. Final score, 15-12, BGSU and Rocco is OK.
    CCI, Collegiate Championship Invitational, NBC, rugby, rugby sevens 0 comments

    Another NFL team looks at a rugby star
    Sun Jun 06,2010 11:21 AM ET By Buzz McClain
    News comes to us now that the Seattle Seahawks "secretly" made an offer to an Australian rugby player to try out for the team. This is the fourth NFL team to express interest in Greg Inglis. So let me ask you again, can a rugby player make it in the NFL? I won't ask the other way around -- can an NFL player make it in rugby? -- because that would be insulting.
    CCI, Collegiate Championship Invitational, NBC, rugby, rugby sevens 1 comment

    Challenger Semi-Final: Arizona State vs. Penn State
    Sun Jun 06,2010 10:52 AM ET By Buzz McClain
    Penn State is Oh-fer (0-4) but not for lack of trying. Let's see how it goes against the 1-2 Sun Devils.
    Ouch. Penn State's Reynaldo Riboul was sin binned at the 5 minute mark for . . . we'll, it's not clear, but ASU followed it up with a quick try. 5-0.
    19-7 at the half, ASU is up.
    Second half: Penn State scores to bring it closer, 19-12. 3:30 to play and the Nittany Lions are on the attack.
    But not fort long. ASU scores again. Your final, 24-12, and coach Salty Thompson's ASU moves to the next round.


    CCI, Collegiate Championship Invitational, NBC, rugby, rugby sevens 2 comments

    Challenger Semi-Final: Harvard vs. Indiana
    Sun Jun 06,2010 10:29 AM ET By Buzz McClain
    OK, they're called the Indiana University Mudsharks and not the Hoosiers because the rugby club wanted to differentiate itself from the vaunted varsity program. So there. Meanwhile, the 'Sharks have put the bite on Harvard in an entertaining game. The final score, which held for more than a third of the game, is 12-0, IU.
    CCI, Collegiate Championship Invitational, NBC, rugby, rugby sevens 0 comments
     
  7. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://rugbysevens.nbcsports.com/

    Utah wins Collegiate Sevens Championship!

    Championship Final: Cal 26 vs. Utah 31

    Sun Jun 06,2010 5:19 PM ET By Buzz McClain

    Took a minute, didn't it, but Keegan Englebrecht slipped in for Cal's first try. Utah will have to do better than that if they want to keep this reasonable.
    Blake Miller gets free for the Utes. Mike Wunderli's kick is . . . good. Tie game, 7-7.
    Thretton is playing inside center. He's lurking.
    Dustin Muhn takes it to the weak side and spring out for the try. Englebrecht's kick is . . . good. 14-7, Cal.
    Palamo is GONE. Scores, but way off to the side. Wunderli's kick is . . . wide right. 14-12, Cal. 1:15 to play in the 10 minute half.
    Tom Lyons of Washington, D.C., is your referee.
    Palamo gets it at the hooter but his chip kick goes unattended. Half time!
    Second half:
    Thretton jukes up the middle from about the 30 and dives down under the posts. Wunderli's kick is . . . good. 19-14, Utah.
    Time for the Cal jets to kick in. 6:11 to play.
    Englebrecht scores on a 60 yard series that started with not one but two huge tackles by Thretton in Cal territory. But just like that . . . and the kick is good. 21-19, Cal.
    4:19 to play.
    3:10 and Cal has a scrummage at the Utah 15. But Utah wins the scrummage and Ryan Bailey goes 60 yards to the score. The kick is . . . good. 26-21, Utes, with 1:53 to play.
    This is a barn burning dog fight.
    40 seconds.
    30 seconds.
    20.
    10.
    Utah lineout, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, hooter!
    One last scrummage!
    Cal's put!
    Try! Connor Ring gets the ball at the goal line and falls in for 5. The kick is from a wide angle and it's . . . wide right!
    Overtime, baby! Five minutes of sudden death.
    Remember yesterday's lightning? Here it comes again, but of a different kind.
    Cal kicks off, too much, free kick to the middle.
    Penalty against Cal for coming in from the side.
    Don Pati splits a gap 2.5 minutes into OT to win it for Utah! 31-26 is your final.
    I hope NBC is happy.
     
  8. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://www.rugbymag.com/news/sevens/collegiate-7s/cci-7s-all-tournament-team.aspx

    CCI 7s All Tournament Team

    Keegan Engelbrecht's two tries in the final guaranteed his spot on the list.

    With the help of USA 7s coach Al Caravelli, RUGBYMag.com has named the first-ever USA Sevens Collegiate Championship Invitational All-Tournament Team:

    Nate Ebner (Ohio State)
    Keegan Engelbrecht (Cal)
    Benji Goff (Tennesse)
    Colin Hawley (Cal)
    Will Holder (Army)
    Seamus Kelly (Cal)
    Duncan Kelm (San Diego State)
    Rocco Mauer (Bowling Green)
    Dustin Muhn (Cal)
    Thretton Palamo (Utah)
    Don Pati (Utah)
    Blaine Scully (Cal)

    RUGBYMag.com CCI MVP: Rocco Mauer
     
  9. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://www.rugbymag.com/news/sevens/collegiate-7s/cci-7s-top-scorers.aspx

    CCI 7s Top Scorers

    Top Scores at the USA 7s Collegiate Championship Invitational

    Player Team Tries Convs Pts
    Mauer, R BGSU 11 0 55
    Engelbrecht Cal 3 14 43
    Ross SDSU 6 3 36
    Palamo Utah 7 0 35
    Anderson Tenn 4 5 30
    Pati Utah 6 0 30
    Mauer D BGSU 4 3 26
    Kelly Cal 5 0 25
    Thompson R ASU 5 0 25
    Ebner OSU 4 2 24
    Fish Dart 2 7 24
    Wunderli Utah 1 9 23
    Johnston ASU 3 3 21
    Miller Utah 3 3 21
    Asbun Cal 4 0 20
    Muhn Cal 4 0 20
    Baker PSU 2 4 18
    Kelm SDSU 2 4 18
    Holder Army 2 3 16
    Goff Tenn 3 0 15
    Hicks SDSU 3 0 15
    Jarvis Dart 3 0 15
    Jensen Ariz 3 0 15
    Kaufman Ind 3 0 15
    Leatigaga Army 3 0 15
    Lombardo Cal 3 0 15
    Downer N Dart 3 0 15
    Severyn ND 3 0 15
    Sleem ASU 3 0 15
    Ring Cal 3 0 15
     
  10. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://www.rugbymag.com/news/sevens...-7s-stars-and-reasons-behind-the-choices.aspx

    The CCI 7s Stars and Reasons Behind the Choices

    RUGBYMag.com with the help of USA 7s coach Al Caravelli named a USA 7s CCI All-Tournament team. That team is:
    Keegan Engelbrecht
    Will Holder
    Blaine Scully
    Dustin Muhn
    Colin Hawley
    Seamus Kelly
    Nate Ebner
    Duncan Kelm
    Rocco Mauer
    Benji Goff
    Thretton Palamo
    Don Pati

    The choices are interesting for fans in part because Caravelli urged us to pick players for how they should be used, not necessarily how they were used in the tournament. Therefore, a player like Will Holder, who wasn’t used a great deal by Army, ends up on the list because a) he played brilliantly whenever he got on the field and b) has the ability to play multiple positions.

    Many players who lined up in the backs could play both back or forward – Duncan Kelm, Benji Goff, Thretton Palamo, Nate Ebner, Colin Hawley. That versatility is key for Caravelli as he looks for new national 7s team players.

    Overall we at RUGBYMag.com were pleasantly surprised with how well the teams played. Even the lower-ranked squads produced some good 7s, and had worked very hard on their skills. But there’s more work to be done – players who could consistently pass 10 or more meters were rare (and easy to spot). Players also struggled with passing effectively on the run. Maybe the odd pop pass was fine, but for long passes they often had to stop. Stopping makes sure of the pass, but takes the passer out of the play (remember, follow your pass to stay in support).

    Fitness, one-on-one defense and proper execution of 2-on-1s also needed work. Often we’d see a player running sideways to look for a gap, and eventually run his support out of room. Check the tournament-winning try by Don Pati for Utah to see how it’s doing – move out, then make a cut.

    “Players need to learn to fix a defender before they pass,” Caravelli told us. The ones who did fix defenders, often ended up not passing, or passing too late. Several teams flunked huge overloads because their passing was too slow, or they didn't fix defenders and pass before contact.

    All this will come as players play more 7s.

    “I loved it,” said Tennessee’s Ben Goff. “We all did and we’re talking about playing more 7s in the fall before moving into the XVs season.”

    “I think 7s is my game,” added Bowling Green’s Nick Viviani. “It’s wide open and exciting.”

    Those were just two echoes of many positive comments from college players, who now are looking at 7s as a legitimate part of their rugby experience.

    And finally, RUGBYMag.com picked an MVP. In most tournaments, you look to the best player on the winning team. That would be either Don Pati or Thretton Palamo of Utah. They were certainly great – Palamo more so as the tournament went on, Pati more consistent, and he had that winning try. (Note the try that ensured Utah made it to overtime was set up by the pair of them.)

    But there were others – unsung players we liked such as Danny James (we love Danny James), Ryan Thompson, Tom Magnusson, Tom Pribbeno, Derek Fish, Sam Anderson, and Carl Jensen. Our pick, in the end, takes the term MVP literally. Rocco Mauer was the top try-scorer in the tournament (by a wide margin). He drew Caravelli’s eye, and he was the best player on a team that won a trophy. OK, they won the consolation trophy, the Challenger Bracket, but they won something, and needed to win three games on Sunday to do it. And they only lost to Utah 14-10. Without Mauer they don’t do that, so while the best player of the tournament might have been Colin Hawley or Pati or Palamo or Nate Ebner, the player who played the best AND was most important to his team was Mauer.
     
  11. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://www.rugbymag.com/news/sevens/collegiate-7s/nbc-thrilled-with-inaugural-cci-7s.aspx


    NBC Thrilled with Inaugural CCI 7s

    By Alex Goff


    Ratings for CCI 7s (with comparison to Lacrosse)
    (Source The Nielsen Company)

    CCI June 5 Avg Viewers: 692,000
    NCAA Lacrosse Semis June 5: 445,000

    CCI June 6: 818,000
    NCAA Lacrosse Final June 7: 711,000


    The arrival of NBC on the rugby scene has only just begun, as the network will be covering the Churchill Cup Finals this weekend on NBC Universal, and is also expected to make another big rugby-related announcement in the next couple of days.

    But the first NBC effort in rugby is what many fans are asking about. Staged in conjunction with USA 7s LLC (which is owned by the same company that owns Rugby Magazine), the Collegiate Championship Invitational (CCI) 7s tournament in Columbus, Ohio drew a small but acceptable crowd (total for the weekend less than 10,000) but also drew solid ratings on the NBC network.

    Executive Vice President, NBC Sports Jon Miller was thrilled.

    “I would say on a scale of 1 to 10, I would give the event an 11,” Miller told RUGBYMag.com. “I was really happy with the vent, and especially happy with the job USA 7s did in executing it. They did not under-deliver. The level of athletes and quality of rugby and qualify of play was outstanding.”

    The only negative, Miller said, was that the city of Columbus did not rally behind the event. Local press was ho-hum about it and Mayor Michael Coleman, after boldly promising to fill the stadium at the tournament launch event, didn’t even attend the tournament. Judging from feedback from the tournament and NBC, it is unlikely Columbus will be the host city next year.

    “A number of cities saw the event and put their hands up to say they wanted to host,” said Miller.

    But other than that?

    “Everyone was very pleased,” said Miller. “The sponsors were extremely happy, and so were we. And everyone saw how good the games were.”

    So the big question – what about the ratings? According to Nielsen, NBC averaged 692,000 viewers on Saturday, June 5, during pool play. On Sunday, during the championship matches, including the riveting final between Utah and Cal, the broadcast averaged 818,000 viewers. No, it’s not American Idol numbers, but compare it to lacrosse, a sport played in North American for centuries and which has been on TV for longer and more consistently than rugby. On the same weekend the NCAA Lacrosse Championships were held. Average viewers for the two semifinals on Saturday were 445,000. Monday’s final drew 711,000.

    College rugby 7s, in its first network appearance, outperformed lacrosse by 55.5 percent on Saturday and 15 percent on the second day.

    “It’s a very good start,” said Miller. “USA 7s did a great job. They set up the format and it was brilliant how they did it.”

    Word is that qualification tournaments could be set up to lead into the 2011 CCI 7s. NBC likes that idea, and continues to look at rugby as a sport they want to cover on the long haul.
     
  12. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://rugbyamerica.net/2010/06/29/...for-expanded-collegiate-7s-playoffs/#comments

    Possible Tourney Sites for Expanded Collegiate 7′s Series

    Last week someone made a comment in one of the article threads regarding what sites could be in the running to host tournaments on a possible Collegiate 7′s Series next year. It sounded like a great subject to tackle, so the wheels were set in motion.

    I wrote a similar article a couple years ago regarding possible locations for the Churchill Cup when it was announced that the entire tournament would be hosted on American soil. I had alot of fun looking into different venues and a couple of them came true. Can I do it again?

    As the dust settles on the first every Collegiate 7′s Championship, thoughts now point towards next year and what may lie on the horizon for Collegiate 7′s. I can’t help but envision an expanded series of qualifying tournaments for the 2011 Collegiate 7′s Championship.

    No doubt, you’ve already heard that NBC and the USA 7′s weren’t exactly happy with Columbus and that a handful of suitors are already lining up to host the next championship. The tournament was exciting, well played, and broadcast to the highest standard.


    It’s no surprise to hear that a line is already forming to host the event in 2011. It is a great concept and it has NBC’s backing, something that few other rugby events can boast. A Collegiate 7′s series could grow into something very special.

    With the prospects of four qualifying tournaments in the queue for 2011 that means a total of five locations could be in line for hosting rights.

    There are a few major questions that need to be asked when discussing possible sites for the 2011 Collegiate 7′s Championship.

    One major subject that I’m not going to cover is the time of year that the championship will take place. There is much debate right now as to whether it will push further into the summer or up into the spring and create a conflict with 15’s.

    I could go on and on about the pros and cons of each choice, so I’ll save that for another time and place. I’ve said it before in other articles, the tournament and series will end up wherever NBC wants it to fall, because they are going to be the driving force behind the project. They’re going to place it in the best position to draw crowds and make money.

    Whether or not to use a college town for a location is another question to start with and it leads into the question of whether to use football or soccer facilities.

    The upside of the college town is the built-in fan base. Columbus shouldn’t be used as a measuring stick for this debate as school was nearly finished when the CCI came to town. Yeah… yeah, I said I wasn’t going to start the time of year debate. But, if you’re going with a college town, an earlier spring date will make better use of the student body.

    The downside of the college town is the lack of suitably sized stadiums. The big college towns have massive football stadiums which aren’t conducive to less than capacity crowds. We’ve seen how thin the stands at Rentschler Field (UConn Football Stadium) look with 8,000 fans for an Eagles match. Not a pretty site and that’s a smaller collegiate football field.

    Maybe someday, but rugby isn’t there yet.

    On the same train of thought, collegiate soccer facilities may be the ticket for the qualifying tournaments. While not the same level of facilities that a MLS stadium posess, they will come at a much lower price tag and still give Collegiate 7′s the opportunity to tap into the college fan base right at the source.

    Until college 7′s establishes itself and proves it’s drawing power, keeping the qualifying rounds to more modest digs may be a neccesity for financial success of the venture. Lower costs, lower overhead, and cheaper ticket costs are just a few of the items needed to brew up a successful tournament. Not too low though… it still needs to be a professional level event.

    Keeping the tournaments on campus may also be in the cards in the future. Even though Crew Stadium is in Columbus and near Ohio State, it isn’t on campus and less likely to draw casually interested college students.

    Now, on the flip side, they could choose to look outside of college towns thus opening themselves up to a myriad of very fine high level soccer facilities. You could pick pretty much any MLS stadium and it will be a more than serviceable venue for a sevens tournament.

    But, I really like the idea of tying the Collegiate 7′s brand to colleges. This is where I believe USA Rugby’s management of 15′s has struck out so many times over the years with playoff matches held off-campus.

    There are some bigger rugby markets in America that could put up better numbers attendance-wise than a college town. But how much better in the short term? The average rugby crowd for an American event seems to run around 6,000-10,000 no matter where it is located. That even includes California for those that seem to believe that every event should be held on the West Coast.

    Is a few thousand fans really worth pulling college rugby away from college markets? Markets that may be able to bear even more fruit after some cultivating?

    I don’t think so.

    It would be different if the American rugby community had a proven track record of filling stands. But we don’t, so why not go with venues located in areas with more potential for the long run? Long term strategy has to transcend the rugby community and look towards touching all sports fans. Without them, crowd sizes will never reach the levels needed to put rugby in the spotlight aside from Olympic years.

    So, what to look for in a host site?

    A stadium in a mid to major metropolitan market with preferable close ties to a collegiate market.
    A stadium with a minimum set of facilities… locker rooms for teams, media, concessions, etc.
    Stadium capacity in the 6,000-15,000 range for the qualifying tournaments and something in the 15,000-20,000+ range for the championship.
    With the above in mind, let’s look at some possible suitors.

    I’m going on the premise of there being four regional qualifying tournaments followed by a championship. I’ve heard rumors about a varying number of qualifiers, but four seems to be the most logical choice at this juncture. Nothing has been confirmed for 2011, so this is all speculation at this point.

    The final choice of sites may ultimately be determined by the time of year the series and championship is played. If they choose spring, we could very well see warmer weather choices played earlier in the spring. If it ends up in the summer, then more northern cities will be in contention.

    I have attempted to put together a good cross-section of venues that fit the above features. I have no idea whether any of them are actually in contention to host any collegiate 7′s. This is merely a theoretical list. But, if one of them pop up on the list… you heard it here first.

    Don’t be surprised if at least one of them do at some point. I picked Columbus Crew Stadium a couple years ago as a venue that was prime to get a big rugby event. Although, I will say that I stepped out of the box a little bit extra with some of my choices. While rugby on campus has been going on for ages, the idea of hosting major rugby events on campus is fairly uncommon. At this point it is a pretty blank slate.

    The venues are listed in no particular order.

    Potential Qualifying Tournament Sites

    Joseph J. Morrone Stadium (Storrs, CT)

    Opened in 1994, Morrone Stadium serves as the home of the University of Connecticut soccer and lacrosse teams. With a capacity of 8,574 Morrone Stadium is a realistic option. Recent renovations include a a state-of-the-art scoreboard and message center, new bleachers, and one of the top press boxes in the country. UConn isn’t a rugby power, but the location of the stadium puts it in a decent position to cater to a qualifying tournament bringing in teams from the Eastern Midwest/Northeast area of the country.

    Wake Med Soccer Park (Cary, NC)

    Home to the Carolina Railhawks professional soccer team, Wake Med Park also serves as a home field for the NC State Soccer teams. Opened in 2002 at a cost of $14.5 million, it has played host to the ACC Soccer Tournament and NCAA College Cup. The main stadium seats 6,883 and is expandable to 10,000 with temporary seating. Wake Med Soccer Park is one of my top choices as a potential regional host as it sits on prime collegiate frenzy real estate. The stadium is located almost smack dab in between NC State, Duke, and The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Three heated collegiate rivalries renowned for their sports crazy student bodies.

    Mike A. Myers Stadium (Austin, TX)

    Nestled on the campus of The University of Texas, Mike A. Myers Stadium is a $13 million, 20,000 seat venue that serves as the home to the Longhorns track & field and soccer teams. Opened in 2002, the stadium has hosted the 2002 Womens NCAA Soccer Championship, the 2004 NCAA Men & Womens Track & Field Championship, and various Big 12 Conference events. The ESPN Gameday Crew has even set up shop in the Stadium for their football broadcasts. You can’t get much better than a stadium located on The University of Texas campus, but with it being set up for track, the distance from the playing field may be an issue for fans that are used to more intimate settings. The size may also be a bit big for a qualifying tournament, but the location may be too much to resist. Mike A. Myers Stadium could be a dark horse hosting site.

    Plaster Sports Complex (Springfield, MO)

    Desperately in need of a venue in middle-America, Plaster Sports Complex came up on the radar. Plaster Sports Complex is a 16,600 seat complex that is the home of the Missouri State University football, soccer, and track & field teams. The venue isn’t a big college brand, but the quality of the facilities cannot be denied. Probably a big long-shot, but worth noting because the lack of modestly sized venues on colleges campuses in the Midwest.

    Titan Stadium (Fullerton, CA)

    Titan Stadium is a 10,000 seat stadium on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. Originally planned to house the University football team, the stadium became a soccer facility when the University cut their football program in 1992. Set in Southern California, the stadium is a lower cost option than the Home Depot Center and sticks with the theme of keeping the tournament on a college campus.

    Walter J. Zable Stadium (Williamsburg, VA)

    Home to the William & Mary football and track & field teams, Zable Stadium boasts everything great about college stadiums, but on a much smaller scale. Located in the middle of the very scenic campus of William & Mary, the stadium seats 12,259 fans. The venue size is perfect for a qualifying tournament, as is the location which is centrally located for teams all along the eastern seaboard. It is also just under a two hour drive from Washington D.C. and one of the greatest concentrations of rugby players in America. Opened in 1935, Zable Stadium has that nostalgic, old school-college feel that might play well with the time honored game of rugby.

    Buck Shaw Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)

    No stranger to rugby events, Buck Shaw Stadium played host to the Eagles/Ireland test match in 2009 as well as hosting Churchill Cup matches in 2006. The stadium capacity is 10,300 and is the current home of the Santa Clara Broncos soccer teams and the San Jose Earthquakes of the MLS. Opened in 1962, the stadium has went through multiple facelifts to it’s current state. The fact that the stadium has prior rugby experience is nothing to look past as rugby venues tend to repeat themselves in America every 2-3 years.
    Potential Championship Sites

    Columbus Crew Stadium (Columbus, OH)

    It would be a mistake to rule out Columbus for at least one more crack at hosting the Championship. Weather did a number on the weekend as well as going head to head against a major local event that has been entrenched on that particular weekend. Another year, a different weekend and it could be an entirely different story for the town. It cannot be overlooked that Crew Stadium is the only MLS level stadium that is located in a college community. There are some that are in the vicinity, but Crew Stadium is right there in the midst of one of the largest student body populations in America. Ohio State is also a major college sports brand name. I think NBC and USA 7′s will have to take a long look before moving the championship.
    Alex G. Spanos Stadium (San Luis Obispo,CA)

    Formerly known as Mustang Stadium, the 11,075 seat complex is home to the Cal Poly football and soccer teams. While that number is a bit on the low side for a championship event, the stadium is currently under construction to expand seating to 22,000 at a project cost of almost $20 million. Construction is expected to be completed this year which opens the venue up for a possible 2011 hosting date with Collegiate 7′s. Upon completion of the construction, Spanos Stadium will be the largest stadium on California’s Central Coast. Cal Poly also boasts something that many of the choices don’t have. That being a pretty darn good rugby program.
    Delaware Stadium (Newark, Delaware)

    Erected in 1952 and enlarged prior to the 1964, 1970, 1972 and the 1975 seasons, the 22,000-seat stadium is the largest in the Atlantic 10 Conference and home to the University of Delaware football team. The stadium has also hosted the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship on two occassions. Recent additions to the stadium include a 42 foot wide HD video scoreboard and replacement of the playing surface with field-turf. Another stadium that may be a very big long shot, but one that fits the bill quite well.
    I am absolutely certain that there are more players in the running for hosting rights in 2011. Some of which will not have any ties to a college campus. The various MLS Stadiums across the nation are likely contenders as they seem to be some of the top choices for rugby events these days. Even though they may come at a much higher price tag.

    After coming up short on their bid to host a leg of the Bledisloe Cup, I’m willing to bet that the Denver Sports Commission is in the picture. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, located just outside of Denver, is rugby friendly and a excellent venue.

    Pizza Hut Park in Texas is another MLS Stadium that has been more than willing to host alternative events. They have played host to NCAA Soccer events and recently announced that it signed on to host the 2010-2012 NCAA Fooball Championship Subdivision (formerly D1-AA) Championship.

    Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah could be another player in the picture. Another rugby friendly stadium, Rio Tinto put up some pretty good attendance numbers for the High School championship this past spring and that may not go unnoticed.

    I could probably go one for days with this discussion, but I’ll stop here. The list above highlights some of the sites that could host tournaments. Now, it’s just a waiting game to see how many qualifying tournaments pop up and where they are hosted.

    I’m excited to see the future of Collegiate 7′s, but I’m almost just as interested in seeing the game expand to areas and venues that are new to rugby. Going with the old favorites and safe bets is always an option, but that may not be what is needed to break through with the sport.

    Who know’s? Maybe one of the sites listed above is a goldmine waiting to be discovered.





    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
  13. yankee_rob

    yankee_rob Member

    Aug 1, 2006
    London, England
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Integrating College 7′s into the Spring Season

    http://rugbyamerica.net/2010/08/10/integrating-college-7s-into-the-spring-season/


    Integrating College 7′s into the Spring Season

    Posted on August 10, 2010
    by rugbyamerica1



    The subject of integrating 7’s into the collegiate season is something that will be given much thought in the coming months. Even more so as USA Rugby prepares to fill obligations towards the US Olympic Committee as the two groups begin the march towards bringing home medals at the 2016 Olympics for both our men and women.

    The USOC and USA Rugby both know that a healthy 7’s competition at the collegiate level will serve as one of their greatest developmental tools. Recognizable and marketable competitions will drive player participation at the youth and high school levels thus creating a more dynamic and skilled player pool from which to choose Olympians.

    The major problem that they face with collegiate 7′s is the limited time frame to in which to work within the already crowded spring season. With 15’s competitions and playoffs in full swing, finding time for 7’s is going to be difficult.

    The argument so forth has involved moving 7’s to the summer where it has been traditionally played by adult clubs. However, for collegiate sanctioned rugby this may not be feasible. As the profile of 7’s increases on campus, collegiate administrators may desire more and more oversight into their programs. Allowing students to compete athletically outside of the school window is generally reserved for sports that bring in revenue to their schools.

    Competing commercially with football is a losing situation, so that rules out the fall. After all, we don’t just need a good competition. We need a commercially friendly product to sell the game to America as well.

    Winter is out for obvious weather related reasons. That leaves the spring as the optimum timeframe to play collegiate 7’s.

    Now, how can it be done in a way will be beneficial to our goal of bringing home medals in 2016 without gutting or undermining the game of 15’s in the process?

    “The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply. “ – Kahlil Gibran
    I have a simple solution. Play them together.

    I’ll give you a moment to digest the thought. It is madness… right? Not really if you think about the many obstacles that rugby still faces.

    Everyone can agree that collegiate 15’s cannot take a step back in order to accommodate the rise of 7’s in America. Like it or not, everyone should also agree that 7’s is the version of the game better suited to introduce the game to America.

    If one cannot (or should not) give ground to the other, then they need to co-exist in harmony.

    Here’s how.

    For explanation’s sake I’m going to refer to the newly formed Collegiate Premier League (CPL) in my examples. The teams competing in the CPL are the top programs in the entire nation, so they are also going to be needed to set the tone for collegiate 7’s in America.

    As has been laid out in their plans, the competition is booked pretty solid throughout the spring with no breaks. So, how can 7’s possibly fit into their schedule?

    This next part is a bit of a leap in thought, so please bear with me and keep an open mind.

    Play them both together. There, I said it again.

    In the case of the CPL a Saturday would consist of both 15’s and 7’s games. The order of which doesn’t really matter.

    Do you go with 7’s as the appetizer or the dessert? How about both?

    The important part is that the two versions of the game can fit and work around the structures that are already in place to make better use of resources. Even better is that 7’s can be used not only for competition purposes, but also for player development.

    First side players cannot be expected to play both 7’s and 15’s in the same day, so separate rosters will have to be kept. A 7’s roster can be filled with underclassmen, up and coming players and specialists with their eyes set on higher honors. The last thought may seem odd, but get used to the idea of players playing strictly 7’s by choice. It’s going to happen and sooner rather than later.

    So, you’re thinking… one game of 7’s, 14 minutes, and it’s over. Big whoop.

    Not this time around. If this is going to be a formalized competition then it requires a bit more endeavor for the teams involved. I am suggesting that the teams play either a three or five game series each weekend with their opponent.

    Three games are probably a bit more realistic though and it gives the teams at least 40 minutes of play. However, depending on roster sizes, playing five games might not be out of the question.

    All games played count in the conference 7′s standings that are kept separate from 15′s standings. With four conferences in the CPL, the top four teams from each conference can move onto the CPL finals to decide a champion at the end of the season in a standard 7′s style tournament.

    The multiple game set of 7’s brings added flavor and depth to the entire production of a 15’s game and brings more to the fans which is most important. Open the day up with 7’s to get the crowd fired up for 15’s or the other way around.

    The possibilities are there as long as people are willing to think outside of the box. Just because 7′s has always been played in a tournament format doesn’t mean it has to remain that way.

    Going back to the CPL. Under this plan, they have their 15’s competition and they would now also have the Olympic sport of 7’s to tie into their marketing and broadcast plans. As a package deal they can add benefit to any potential broadcaster.

    Upon completion of their seasons, they can double-up on their championships as well. The championship of the 7’s competition can be played the same weekend as the 15’s championship game at the same location.

    Now, that would be a great weekend of rugby and give the CPL plenty to sell broadcasters and fans.

    This plan doesn’t totally eliminate the well-known and liked tournament format either. You really can’t beat a 7’s tournament, but squeezing 2 or 3 of them into the spring is going to be hard to say the least.

    That said, I’d love to see a College Rugby 7’s NIT played in February somewhere warm. Then there are tournaments like the CCI that can be held closer to summer.

    I hate to keep using the CPL as a crutch, but they are a fine example of what can be done for college rugby. They are also a fine model for my proposal.

    However, in reality any conference at any level of college rugby can use this plan. It’s just a simple way of making the most of resources that are available. I’ve seen 7’s used as an opening act and curtain closer for 15’s games. It works and fans enjoy it.

    The only real crutch in this plan is the lack of availability for the top collegiate players. For obvious reasons, coaches are going to want their big guns to play 15’s, but the USOC might prefer them playing 7’s. This is where the NIT’s and CCI’s of the season come into the picture as they allow full weekends of 7’s without 15’s in the way. The very best that each program has to offer can participate without worry.

    Some programs, like Cal, will have the luxury of giving a first team player a weekend off of 15’s to play 7’s. Others may be in a tougher position since winning at 15’s will take priority.

    For many lower level programs, their best 15’s players might be their only players capable of playing 7’s well. For other programs, such as the ones headed into the CPL, this may serve as a valuable development tool for their teams. Getting young players playing meaningful rugby and developing their skills cannot go overlooked.

    There is still plenty of time left before the spring season kicks into gear, but the planning starts now. Integrating 7′s into the spring is imperative and it needs to happen now. Waiting another playing cycle to come to a resolution would be folly for USA Rugby.

    The proposal set forth above is a pretty fair and simple compromise that can benefit all involved without taking one weekend away from 15′s.
     

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