Letter to the Old Laurentians - Minneapolis 2011 Tour

Below is what I wrote to be included with the Old Laurentian's Tour Program, although it turns out that I may have missed the publication deadline. Regardless, it is traditional that the President or, in the OL's case, Chairman of the Club submits a type of "Welcome" letter for the Tour Program. That said, I hope that by reading this you gain a better appreciation of what this Tour is all about, why it's a big deal, why the Metropolis and Old Laurentian relationship is important to individuals as well as the respective clubs as a whole. So, without further adieu, read on....

"It is with great pride and excitement that, on behalf of The Metropolis Rugby Club, I welcome The Old Laurentian Rugby Football Club from Rugby, England, the birth place of the sport we love, live and support everyday, to our little corner of the world here in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is truly an honor to welcome such a great group of friends, ruggers and well-behaved gentlemen.

For many of the the OL Tourists, several Metropolis RFC members, families and friends, the nature of the long standing, important, dare I say "intimate" nature of the Old Laurentian and Metropolis Rugby relationship needs little explanation. This mutually destructive (oops, I mean, beneficial) relationship began with the OLs welcoming Metro RFC to their little spot of heaven known as Fenley Field 20+ years ago, with a return trip paid to the US in 1991. Legends, friendships, great losses, player exchanges, as well as random, unexpected (sometimes unwanted) visits, continue to add to the story and create new memories with each passing year.

For the folks mentioned above, myself included, we've looked forward to this tour with great anticipation. Through detailed planning and coordination led by Hughesy, Tom Lavin, Chris Babiash and a host of others, the tour is on and the wait is over. No longer do we sit around with great expectations of friendships rekindled, pints to be hoisted, top-notch on-field competition (especially by the Veterans and Old Boys), excuses of "well, I would have tackled you but we're a much kinder gentler nation now so we are more welcoming to foreigners", Ricky Reed's cross-eyed dart tossing, Dan Volkman's increasingly frustrating "accent". Soon we'll be watching the sunrise under the posts on the final day before emotional airport send-offs. The dread/relief of crawling back home to the family trying to explain why Easter Sunday Dinner is canceled this year is near to being reality.

While my experience with the camaraderie and brotherhood that is the Old Laurentian and Metropolis relationship doesn't span the entire 20+ years, I do get to point back to 1997 as my first encounter with the Men Who Walk on Water, and consider myself very fortunate. With the personal history many of us share, it is very easy to take this all for granted and focus narrowly in on our own close, personal friendships built over many years of touring and livin' the dream together. As we stand back, however, and look at the bigger picture, encourage our new members to take part, build new relationships, create their own stories and memories, participate in player exchanges, we start to really see the power of the bond between our clubs. This bond transcends time, generations, isn't reliant upon one particular set of Presidents, Chairmen, Veterans, Old Boys, etc. to continue to grow. It's infinitely larger than any individual, just as each of our clubs loom significantly larger than the mere sum of its members. As long as The Metropolis Rugby Club and The Old Laurentians draw breath from the same blue skies our clubs, our members, our history, will be forever and inextricably linked.

During this time of celebration, anticipation and general tom-foolery, we'd be remiss if we were not to pause and remember two of fellow mates who were so suddenly taken from us since we last met. Both clubs have suffered and shared in two tragic losses in long-time members, members who were the bedrock of their respective clubs, loved by all and are dearly missed. It's safe to assume that were Old Laurentian Kevin "KJ" Jones and Metro/Metropolis fixture Matt "Mitchie" Comstock here with us they'd be two of the most excited and involved guys on the tour. Neither would miss a minute of the weekend's events and legend unless, perhaps, it was to conspire behind the scenes to make things even more memorable for all. I've no doubt those two will be together celebrating, watching over us and being grateful to not wake up with the same headaches we'll all certainly experience.

With that, I once again welcome each and every touring Old Laurentian! You have now been initiated into the long winded, self-indulgent and meandering writing style that my Metropolis Clubmates have come to loathe and/or ignore over the years. If you've survived this, the rest of the tour will be a breeze!"