Well it is that time in my son's life at the academy, when every event at the academy is his, and my wife's last time for that event. It has been a great ride. He started playing for the Rugby Team as a member of the prep school. His first year as a C4C I was asked by Dan Marine the coach and OIC at the time to see if I could help with funds. I started the Zoomie Rugby Football Parents Club. At the time we had lots of bills, the Ruggers had lost their LOS status and were forced to attend all intramurals and then go to practice.

A movement was started to raise money and awareness for the program. An appeal went out to the Rugby Alumni to take over the program along with the parents. Colonel Cartney, Dan Jarka, Blaine Nye, and the original Rugby Team (1962) Dr. Harold Law stepped up to the plate. The Zoomie Rugby Football Club through their efforts and others have worked hard to get the team and club AOG recognition as an affinity program. AOG provides some money and we have received several donations that is the beginning to build a stadium, and provide the funds for operations. I might add that it was this year that the Womens Rugby Program and Mens are beginning to join together as one in the Club. In addition the Mens Rugby program has regained some of its LOS status and I hope is on the way to be recognized as a Varsity Sport and treated with the same respect. After all the Men Rugby Program has:

WON 3 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

TAKEN 2ND FIVE TIMES

TAKEN 3RD FIVE TIMES

That is 13 trips to the National Finals in the last 25 years. Very impressive when you think about the size of the schools they play. And yes they did beat Navy this year at Navy. And yes the Zoomies do have 2 players on the U.S. National Team the EAGLES.

Through the 44 years of USAFA Rugbyall Dr. Law has been a pillar of strength and a provider, thank you Harry.

Anyway I am stepping down as the treasurer this year and parents club representative. We will need another volunteer. We will need a volunteer to be the representative for the parents. Mike Wright has been taking care of inventory for the sale of the gear and someone will need to take over that job. Blaine Nye started the website www.airforcerugby.com and I am sure he can use some help. WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY IS: WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO KEEP THE TRAIN MOVING. The parents are the watch dog of the program.

This Parents Weekend there will be an annual meeting and the games on Saturday. Please attend the games and lend a hand when your son is not playing. WE will be selling ge ar, the team is selling food and drinks. IF you want to volunteer for a position on the board or take over the job as the treasurer PLEASE let me know. If you want to attend the meeting which will be prior to the first game on Saturday you are invited.

Finally IF YOU WANT TO DONATE MONEY and you knew I was going to ask , don't hesitate to join the parents club and donate. If you don't want to join Your money is good anyway.

This old Marine Grunt is making his final patrol and I am proud to say that I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of fine people. What is more important I am comfortable in knowing that the current board wants the best for the club and will do what is necessary to maintain it as a quality USAFA program.

God Bless Our Troops

John Cordova
Semper Fi
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