Who experienced the great weekend of Northeast Minneapolis community events this past weekend? Did you golf in the Matt Comstock Memorial Iceman Open hosted by The Metropolis Foundation on Friday? Were you one of the volunteers setting up the tent at the pitch that evening in anticipation of The Big Pitch event to come the next day? Did you show up early Saturday morning to make sure players had the sideline medical attention they needed or set up and tend the grills. Maybe you helped with the tables, delivered food or apparel. Perhaps you set the flags on the pitch, made sure the signs were properly hung, scoreboard put together or carried the goal post pads down.
Did you dust off the boots for an Old Boys match? Did your child run with MARF and their excellent Rookie Rugby clinic? You could have been one of the D2 Metropolis Rugby players working their hearts out against a tough Eastside Banshees squad. Did you stand at attention at mid-field for a moment of silence to remember our fallen heroes, fellow citizens, friends and family as the 10th Anniversary of 9.11 approached? Did you get goosebumps and a lump in your throat as the flag waved and the National Anthem was played? Did you want to go for your checkbook and buy that professional framed, autographed and very cool Division 3 National Championship jersey and medal? Were you on the sidelines watching our Metropolis Division 1 boys work their magic against an improved and surly Milwaukee Harlequins team? Did you donate an item behind the scenes, large or small, for the raffle at the pitch? Maybe, just maybe, you were one of the lucky few with the Metropolis globe on your chest, number on your back, draped in a brand new jersey fighting to a victory in that premier 3pm Division 1 match. Did you win your first Division 1 League match as Metropolis Head Coach in front of the home crowd?
Perhaps you took it all in and continued your night at Legend's Bar & Grill for the Fundraiser that followed with Miller High Life, Crispin Cider, Jameson Irish Whiskey, good friends and new mates. You must have been there for some of that, right? The more pertinent question, I believe, is "why would you miss any of it?"
For those in attendance, I thank you for your continued faithful support of Metropolis rugby. In fact, an perhaps more importantly, your support of Minnesota Rugby. We witnessed just a glimpse of what Minnesota Rugby has to offer. From the Old Boys from the Eastside Banshees, Minneapolis RFC, Metro RFC & Metropolis RFC to the talent of today represented by the Banshees & Metropolis to the future of Minnesota Rugby as the Rookie Ruggers took the field. Minnesota rugby doesn't only come together in the summer when the best from all the clubs take the pitch together to form the Youngbloodz 7's team. The cheers from the Banshees corner during their D2 match-up were some of the loudest of the day. While I know those fans came to watch their club play, I am proud that they feel comfortable and welcomed at SAOS field and hope they enjoyed all the events of the day.
So, who did some, perhaps all, of the above? Who made it happen? Who deserves our thanks?
While the golf outing was hosted by The Metropolis Foundation I know for a fact that Gordon Hilleque, Greg Stern and Christine Levens worked hard to make it all come together with the Comstock family and others whom I am not even aware of and apologize for not mentioning. The Friday night tent crew as well as the Saturday pitch set up team, lead by Louis "Squirrel" Peloquin did a great job making sure everything was as it should be. Tom & John Hromadka, sweatin' and flippin', never at the same time of course, under the big top all day, making sure everyone was fed and happy performed admirably in one of the most difficult, least appreciated jobs of the weekend. Thank you guys, time for you to recruit and train some new guys so you don't always get begged to be our grill men!
Katie Sjeklocha, MARF Youth Coordinator, brought the Rookie Rugby clinic to our pitch to add to the weekend's continued investment in the rugby community. Thank you Katie and Rob Clarno, MARF's commitment to rugby development is to be applauded and the state is better off for you all.
Jermey Ancel and Legend's Bar & Grill did what they do best. From delivering the supplies for chow at the pitch as well as a new PA system, which I used to abuse your senses throughout the day, to throwing a great party that night they showed again how lucky we are to call Legend's our Metropolis Headquarters and why they deserve our continued support.
The Division 3 National Championship didn't sign itself and jump into a frame. Thanks to Justin Swartz we now have an incredible piece of memorabilia...that can be yours if you wish to bid on eBay now! Thanks to Peter's Billiards and Division 1 Team Captain, Wade McInroy, for donating a portion of the Tornado Foosball table, which was won by Legend's doorman Jay Anderson. To the Aveda Institute, bringing a little class to this game of Hooligans, we look forward to a continued relationship as you slowly realize it's also a game played by gentlemen.
To our valued sponsors, Sports & Orthopaedic Specialists and their donation of the Twins Tickets, Joe Heron of Crispin Cider, Miller High Life and Chris Babiash of Rugby Athletic, your donations, work and support make it all possible. Speaking of SAOS, Adrienne Smith, trainer extraordinaire, thank you so much for your services at the pitch, strapping the guys up before battle and tending to their wounds during. Your professionalism and dedication is greatly appreciated. Peter Wickman, our man behind the apparel table, thanks for working with us as we continued to add extra responsibilities to your already full plate. Adam Farhat, the man with the full roll of raffle tickets...which was returned empty and sold out. Well done sir.
A special thanks goes out to Kurt Siudzinski, Metropolis Rugby V.P., who managed the entire day. Several weeks ago Kurt was tasked with making the Big Pitch, well, Big. Kurt worked to pull it all together without a hitch, hiccup or rain drop. Not sure how he worked the great weather out with the Big Man upstairs, but the rest was through hard work, great organization and leadership. Thank you Sudz!
A lot of work goes into events like this. I don't know of many sporting teams that can pull it off. I do know, however, that great things happen when a CLUB puts their minds into it however. Don't ever forget that distinction. We are a Rugby Club....members of an organization that is much bigger than what happens on that pitch. While Coach Osborne's victory is a milestone in his young career, the success of another Big Pitch weekend is another brick in that growing foundation, the tradition of Metropolis Rugby. It's not out of obligation that we share this event with you all. It's pride that drives us. Pride in the Northeast Community, pride in the club, our mates and Minnesota Rugby that pushes people to stand up and volunteer, contribute, support and attend.
On behalf of all the Members of Metropolis Rugby, thank you for the support, continue to look for ways to get involved. Another cold Minnesota winter approaches and we'll be calling for volunteers to join us in Habitat for Humanity builds, the Annual General Meeting is around the corner and other big events including the Crispin Cup and Rugby Day Tour are headed our way in October. Stay tuned for details on all of them.
Show up, volunteer, contribute, be a real part of the action. Register with Metropolis Rugby now as a Booster or Old Boy, be counted, be an Official Member of this growing CLUB....support the guys that give you an opportunity to spend a Saturday in a way others only dream of.
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