This is silly, but it bothers me that all of our QBs wear jerseys with sleeves... seems like it's a Harbaugh thing and I assume it's just a preference for feel from his playing days that he makes the current QBs follow.
Good article. Thought I'd mention that he also has been trying to get involved in rugby in the past couple years. He trained with Tiger Rugby in Columbus, OH, where they have an excellent rugby academy that has placed several players onto the USA Rugby 7s team (a couple made the 2016 olympic squad). He played with them and 1823 (a Columbus men's club rugby 7s team) in the national championship tournament last summer, and also trained with the Ohio Aviators for a bit (a former professional rugby 15s team that was based out of Obetz, OH just south of Columbus). He must have taken a step back from rugby to focus on bobsledding again ahead of next year's Olympics, because I haven't seen anything about him in rugby since last summer.
The thing that struck me the most from this is how cool it is to have a head coach that is able to look back and reminisce about old games the program has been in, just like any of us normal fans do. So cool to have a coach that's so invested in, and has even more fond memories of the program than many of us do.
I think you're correct. I saw Jim Brandstatter say on Twitter that he will be on the road recruiting and that he won't be there for the normal radio show at Pizza House tomorrow night. I assume that means no press conference either.
For those who enjoyed watching the 7s events in Rio, the USA Club 7s National Championship tournaments are this weekend in Colorado. This is the highest level of rugby 7s in the US - men's and women's clubs that generally have a mix of college-aged players for the summer combined with the men and women that are normally with the clubs. The midwest clubs represented are the Chicago Lions and 1823 out of Columbus. There should be a former Michigan 7s player (Sequoyah Burke-Combs) on the roster for the Seattle Saracens, who are one of the favorites to win it all. They haven't released their roster yet, but he has represented them at a couple tournaments this summer. There are men's and women's tournaments this weekend, and they'll be streamed here: http://www.therugbychannel.tv/articles/3esIKSPEQ04wcWqOGGW0ku/2016-usa-…!
Additionally, each year NBC/NBC Sports Network air the HSBC Sevens World Series. This is a series of ten two-day rugby 7s tournaments with international teams that happen basically November - May, with the same format as this Olympic tournament. The teams earn points based on finish at each tournament and the overall series champion is crowned based on point total at the end.
Lastly, as a few mentioned, each year NBC airs the Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s event in Philadelphia the first weekend of June. Michigan (and other Big Ten schools) compete in league-based tournaments during the spring in order to qualify for this tournament.
Just figured I'd share some opportunities to watch rugby with people that are interested. Apart from Michigan football, rugby is my biggest passion.
I went to Purdue for undergrad. Paying for school myself, I couldn't justify paying out of state tuition for U of M when I wasn't sure what I wanted to study coming out of high school. So I'll always have a soft spot for Purdue. At least they were good at basketball my freshman year and went undefeated at home (2010). Purdue sports are generally miserable, obviously, but basketball games are always a blast. It'll always be Michigan first, though.
Your post doesn't make sense. If Dantonio can say whatever he wants because he won, why shouldn't Hart say whatever he wanted? He was 4-0 vs State. He can call them whatever he wants - he won.
Purdue (woe is me). Went to Purdue for undergrad and loved my time in West Lafayette. I couldn't justify spending roughly twice as much to go out of state to Michigan when I could get a great education in-state. Needless to say the last several years of football seasons have been pretty tough.
You can check out some Rugby 7s as well if anyone goes. Team USA is missing about half their usual squad to the 15s rugby team's pre-season camp (the world cup is later this year), but there will still be some exciting players there and the game itself is very exciting.
Thanks for posting, WD. Michigan has a good rugby program, and they deserve some recognition for their hard work (and this is being said from a guy who played at Purdue). They are quite well organized for a "club" sport, and hired a new coach this year, who seems to be a good fit. As mentioned above, it's only a club sport, but more and more schools (albeit smaller schools for the most part) are adding men's and women's rugby as varsity programs. Some bigger schools, like Cal, Penn State, BYU, among others, are already at that level or near it (Penn State is a varsity program just without the scholarships - full time training staff, nice facilities, university funded, etc.).
For those who don't know, rugby 7s is a faster version of traditional rugby union (15s rugby). It will be played in the Olympics next year and it is a very exciting sport to watch with big hits, impressive skill, and fantastic athletes. USA's national team has a qualifying tournament for the Olympics on June 13-14, which will likely be televised somewhere (probably on Universal Sports, or on their website). For those who haven't seen it before, I highly recommend you check out the Michigan team and the rest of the tournament this weekend on NBC and NBCSN. The rules will be very strange at first, but you won't regret watching!
Surprised it took this long for someone to mention BC! Actually, now that I think about it, not surprised - the whole NW area is fantastic.
Our family tradition has been camping at Young State Park (or recently, alternating between there and Platte River Campground in Honor, MI) ever since my grandparents started going with my mom and her siblings when they were young (~45 years ago). Wonderful place and lots of good memories!
Very cool! I always thought Brandon Minor was fantastic - just really loved they intensity with which he ran the ball. I was so upset he didn't get to play in his last game vs Ohio State (I think it was '09 with a wrist injury) - although I'm sure he was much more upset!
Man, I love getting these daily updates, but it is NOT GOOD for my studying for my final exams! Oh well, who needs PT school when you can read coaching rumors all day?!
Exactly my thoughts. Why give a guy a deadline to make a decision while he's still in the middle of his season? Now, if it's a bit after the 49ers' season has ended, that would be more reasonable, but before December 29th, you're likely just asking to get turned down!
Being from Indy, I'd like to see the Colts take him (if he falls enough in the draft - we need OL early and often) to replace a possibly retiring Reggie Wayne. Best of luck to him wherever he lands, though! The kid has serious potential!
I believe this question was addressed in one of the (relatively recent) front page explanation posts by Seth. I'm too lazy to look it up myself, but you could try starting there.
I believe he was offered to camp with the Lions, but I'm not sure if he ever did (he played D2 or 3 college football in Ohio). He then decided to stay with rugby because his dream is to compete in the Olympics. After he decided to stick with 7s, he signed a professional contract with the Glasgow Warriors and is over there working on his game. He still makes the occasional appearance on the USA team when his club makes him available for it.
They haven't released the updated matchups and times yet, but the championship rounds will be played tomorrow and will be shown on NBC Sports Network from 2-4pm eastern and NBC from 4-6pm eastern. Michigan will play their championship quarterfinal in the morning and go from there.
And to reply to your comment, yes! Having played basketball and football as well as 15s and 7s rugby, 7s is by far the most exhausting sport I've played, despite only having 7 minute halves!
Rugby 7s is a hugely variable game. Relatively evenly matched teams could play multiple times and have vastly different results each time. Because the halves are so short (as said before, 7 minute halves with a running clock), random bounces of the ball and referee decisions can play big parts in the results.
Really hope he can succeed there! I never realized he was no longer with the Chargers, so I was hoping that this past Sunday he would have come in when Hardwick got injured. I guess that explains it!
Agreed! I would think this could send a pretty good message to recruits - not only was he very successful there, but he left Alabama to come here! Here's to 2014!
For anyone who will be itn West Lafayette on Saurday, if you're getting bored with the tailgating, feel free to come watch the Purdue Men's Rugby team play against Sparty. The pitch is just west of the tailgating fields at 168 McCormick Rd, West Lafayette. The A Side kicks off at 1, so they'll be done by 2:30, which leaves plenty of time to get to the stadium and watch warmups or to go continue tailgating. The rugby game is free admission (but if you bring alcohol, keep it in a cup), and there's nothing wrong with coming out to cheer against Michigan State!
was my first game at the Big House (I was 10). It says a lot when you can go to a game like that, in the rain, and still have it be one of the coolest experiences ever!
Sorry I can't be of much help about the hotels or bars (not 21 until April), but if any of you guys going to the game are rugby fans, or would be interested in watching, the Purdue Men's Rugby Club plays Michigan State at probably 1pm, hopefully not much later (the football game kicks off at 4pm, and rugby games last about an hour and a half, with a B game after), just across the street from the tailgating fields. So, if anyone is getting bored of the tailgating scene, feel free to check out some rugby, in what will hopefully be a beatdown on Sparty! If anyone is actually interested, feel free to look up the address of the field on our website (second link if you google purdue rugby) or email me, which is also on that website. Nothing wrong with a little self promotion, right? : )
Yeah...we call it Breakfast Club. The students wake up and dress up in costumes and go to the bars at like 5am. The goal is to make it to the game afterwards, but most don't.
I think that it's pretty inevitable that it will happen, but just probably not anytime soon. Rugby is a relatively inexpensive sport, and the popularity around the country is increasing pretty rapidly. I think it's only a matter of time before athletic departments want to bite on it. For example, Davenport University has scholarships for their players, along with a few other small universities already. In addition to that, many schools will pay for their rugby clubs' travel costs for away matches. Penn State is a pretty good rugby team, and their club has basically a partnership with the athletic department where they are free to use the trainers, weight facilities and coaches, etc. that the varsity sports are provided with. I'm not sure if they pay for their travel, but they're pretty close to a "varsity" program other than not providing scholarships. Also, women's rugby has actually been named an NCAA "emerging sport" or something like that, which shows that the interest is there.
I'm the president for Purdue's club, and for anybody who follows college rugby, things could be getting interesting soon. The Pac 12 just started their own rugby conference, and I think they're trying to set up an affiliation with the real Pac 12 conference for television and other benefits. So, a few big ten program coaches decided that we're going to start the Big Ten Rugby Conference. We have been working towards organizing it and making schedules for the past few weeks, and I'm pretty excited about the possibilities it brings about. For this coming year, 10 of the 12 teams will participate (Northwestern and Penn State don't plan to join for competition level reasons). I'm hoping that down the line we can work something out with the Big Ten and maybe the Big Ten Network and try to get some games televised.
Either way, the sport is growing, and I can't wait to see how big it can get!
This is one of the few nice things about Purdue football games (I'm a student there)...the band does seem to play a lot more compared to the most recent Michigan games I've been to. It's the same with our basketball games, the band is very active in both of those sporting events.
Agree to disagree...I'd have a tough time believing that Todd Clever couldn't make it physically in the NFL if he devoted as much time to football as he does rugby.
I believe they were those, but with a yellow piping piece on the back going from the sleeve, above the name, to the other sleeve, and something similar on the front.
Recent Comments
This is silly, but it bothers me that all of our QBs wear jerseys with sleeves... seems like it's a Harbaugh thing and I assume it's just a preference for feel from his playing days that he makes the current QBs follow.
Good article. Thought I'd mention that he also has been trying to get involved in rugby in the past couple years. He trained with Tiger Rugby in Columbus, OH, where they have an excellent rugby academy that has placed several players onto the USA Rugby 7s team (a couple made the 2016 olympic squad). He played with them and 1823 (a Columbus men's club rugby 7s team) in the national championship tournament last summer, and also trained with the Ohio Aviators for a bit (a former professional rugby 15s team that was based out of Obetz, OH just south of Columbus). He must have taken a step back from rugby to focus on bobsledding again ahead of next year's Olympics, because I haven't seen anything about him in rugby since last summer.
He missed most of December with an injury (can't remember what it was...back, maybe?) but has been playing again since January began.
The thing that struck me the most from this is how cool it is to have a head coach that is able to look back and reminisce about old games the program has been in, just like any of us normal fans do. So cool to have a coach that's so invested in, and has even more fond memories of the program than many of us do.
I think you're correct. I saw Jim Brandstatter say on Twitter that he will be on the road recruiting and that he won't be there for the normal radio show at Pizza House tomorrow night. I assume that means no press conference either.
Also, to throw in my picks:
Funchess, Obi Ezeh (mostly because he played rugby in high school), Jake Ryan, Peppers, Woodson, Chris Perry, Denard
For those who enjoyed watching the 7s events in Rio, the USA Club 7s National Championship tournaments are this weekend in Colorado. This is the highest level of rugby 7s in the US - men's and women's clubs that generally have a mix of college-aged players for the summer combined with the men and women that are normally with the clubs. The midwest clubs represented are the Chicago Lions and 1823 out of Columbus. There should be a former Michigan 7s player (Sequoyah Burke-Combs) on the roster for the Seattle Saracens, who are one of the favorites to win it all. They haven't released their roster yet, but he has represented them at a couple tournaments this summer. There are men's and women's tournaments this weekend, and they'll be streamed here: http://www.therugbychannel.tv/articles/3esIKSPEQ04wcWqOGGW0ku/2016-usa-…!
Additionally, each year NBC/NBC Sports Network air the HSBC Sevens World Series. This is a series of ten two-day rugby 7s tournaments with international teams that happen basically November - May, with the same format as this Olympic tournament. The teams earn points based on finish at each tournament and the overall series champion is crowned based on point total at the end.
Lastly, as a few mentioned, each year NBC airs the Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s event in Philadelphia the first weekend of June. Michigan (and other Big Ten schools) compete in league-based tournaments during the spring in order to qualify for this tournament.
Just figured I'd share some opportunities to watch rugby with people that are interested. Apart from Michigan football, rugby is my biggest passion.
I went to Purdue for undergrad. Paying for school myself, I couldn't justify paying out of state tuition for U of M when I wasn't sure what I wanted to study coming out of high school. So I'll always have a soft spot for Purdue. At least they were good at basketball my freshman year and went undefeated at home (2010). Purdue sports are generally miserable, obviously, but basketball games are always a blast. It'll always be Michigan first, though.
Great piece on Lomu. Thanks for sharing that!
It took me way too long to realize that the shorts design is supposed to look like the waist bands from the Fab Five era shorts.
If that's the look they were actually going for, they should have just, you know, made the waist band.
That's what I meant to say. Thanks! Math is hard sometimes.
Your post doesn't make sense. If Dantonio can say whatever he wants because he won, why shouldn't Hart say whatever he wanted? He was 4-0 vs State. He can call them whatever he wants - he won.
Purdue (woe is me). Went to Purdue for undergrad and loved my time in West Lafayette. I couldn't justify spending roughly twice as much to go out of state to Michigan when I could get a great education in-state. Needless to say the last several years of football seasons have been pretty tough.
You can check out some Rugby 7s as well if anyone goes. Team USA is missing about half their usual squad to the 15s rugby team's pre-season camp (the world cup is later this year), but there will still be some exciting players there and the game itself is very exciting.
Thanks for posting, WD. Michigan has a good rugby program, and they deserve some recognition for their hard work (and this is being said from a guy who played at Purdue). They are quite well organized for a "club" sport, and hired a new coach this year, who seems to be a good fit. As mentioned above, it's only a club sport, but more and more schools (albeit smaller schools for the most part) are adding men's and women's rugby as varsity programs. Some bigger schools, like Cal, Penn State, BYU, among others, are already at that level or near it (Penn State is a varsity program just without the scholarships - full time training staff, nice facilities, university funded, etc.).
For those who don't know, rugby 7s is a faster version of traditional rugby union (15s rugby). It will be played in the Olympics next year and it is a very exciting sport to watch with big hits, impressive skill, and fantastic athletes. USA's national team has a qualifying tournament for the Olympics on June 13-14, which will likely be televised somewhere (probably on Universal Sports, or on their website). For those who haven't seen it before, I highly recommend you check out the Michigan team and the rest of the tournament this weekend on NBC and NBCSN. The rules will be very strange at first, but you won't regret watching!
Surprised it took this long for someone to mention BC! Actually, now that I think about it, not surprised - the whole NW area is fantastic.
Our family tradition has been camping at Young State Park (or recently, alternating between there and Platte River Campground in Honor, MI) ever since my grandparents started going with my mom and her siblings when they were young (~45 years ago). Wonderful place and lots of good memories!
Very cool! I always thought Brandon Minor was fantastic - just really loved they intensity with which he ran the ball. I was so upset he didn't get to play in his last game vs Ohio State (I think it was '09 with a wrist injury) - although I'm sure he was much more upset!
I saw their post about this on facebook and just knew that as soon as I got on MGoBlog this post would be here. Never change, WD!
Man, I love getting these daily updates, but it is NOT GOOD for my studying for my final exams! Oh well, who needs PT school when you can read coaching rumors all day?!
Also, HARBAUGH!!!!
Exactly my thoughts. Why give a guy a deadline to make a decision while he's still in the middle of his season? Now, if it's a bit after the 49ers' season has ended, that would be more reasonable, but before December 29th, you're likely just asking to get turned down!
Being from Indy, I'd like to see the Colts take him (if he falls enough in the draft - we need OL early and often) to replace a possibly retiring Reggie Wayne. Best of luck to him wherever he lands, though! The kid has serious potential!
Great minds must... lose interest alike. I stopped it exactly at 1:04 as well!
I will never pass over watching/reading anything Denard related. One of my all-time favorite Wolverines. Thanks for posting!
I believe this question was addressed in one of the (relatively recent) front page explanation posts by Seth. I'm too lazy to look it up myself, but you could try starting there.
I believe he was offered to camp with the Lions, but I'm not sure if he ever did (he played D2 or 3 college football in Ohio). He then decided to stay with rugby because his dream is to compete in the Olympics. After he decided to stick with 7s, he signed a professional contract with the Glasgow Warriors and is over there working on his game. He still makes the occasional appearance on the USA team when his club makes him available for it.
Replying up here so people will see it.
They haven't released the updated matchups and times yet, but the championship rounds will be played tomorrow and will be shown on NBC Sports Network from 2-4pm eastern and NBC from 4-6pm eastern. Michigan will play their championship quarterfinal in the morning and go from there.
And to reply to your comment, yes! Having played basketball and football as well as 15s and 7s rugby, 7s is by far the most exhausting sport I've played, despite only having 7 minute halves!
UPDATE: Michigan will play Kutztown (PA) in the championship quarterfinal at 11am. Kutztown is a very strong side and will be a good test for Michigan. Full day 2 schedule can be found here: http://rugbytoday.com/college/sunday-pairings-collegiate-rugby-champion…
Rugby 7s is a hugely variable game. Relatively evenly matched teams could play multiple times and have vastly different results each time. Because the halves are so short (as said before, 7 minute halves with a running clock), random bounces of the ball and referee decisions can play big parts in the results.
Wooo! Very impressed with Walton! Glad he played so well in such an ugly game!
Really hope he can succeed there! I never realized he was no longer with the Chargers, so I was hoping that this past Sunday he would have come in when Hardwick got injured. I guess that explains it!
Agreed! I would think this could send a pretty good message to recruits - not only was he very successful there, but he left Alabama to come here! Here's to 2014!
Yeah, I noticed that too. There were I believe 28 seconds at the snap on 2nd and long and OSU had 2 time outs. Not sure why they didn't use them...
Edit: Nevermind, hadn't read the response lower in the thread yet. Apparently the graphic was wrong.
WOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm absolutely positive that is a Nike Oregon State jersey. Seriously, compare it to this:
http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/USC+v+Oregon+State+MjVdCZDHkv2l.jpg
The stitching and material is exactly the same, other than the oregon state logo has an adidas logo over it and the Nike logo has been removed.
For anyone who will be itn West Lafayette on Saurday, if you're getting bored with the tailgating, feel free to come watch the Purdue Men's Rugby team play against Sparty. The pitch is just west of the tailgating fields at 168 McCormick Rd, West Lafayette. The A Side kicks off at 1, so they'll be done by 2:30, which leaves plenty of time to get to the stadium and watch warmups or to go continue tailgating. The rugby game is free admission (but if you bring alcohol, keep it in a cup), and there's nothing wrong with coming out to cheer against Michigan State!
Same here! Luckily, I was ten, and it was still the coolest thing ever walking into the stadium for the first time!
was my first game at the Big House (I was 10). It says a lot when you can go to a game like that, in the rain, and still have it be one of the coolest experiences ever!
He needs to get some rugby shorts, then he won't have to roll them up. I'm sure Obi Ezeh would have given him some of his old ones!
Sorry I can't be of much help about the hotels or bars (not 21 until April), but if any of you guys going to the game are rugby fans, or would be interested in watching, the Purdue Men's Rugby Club plays Michigan State at probably 1pm, hopefully not much later (the football game kicks off at 4pm, and rugby games last about an hour and a half, with a B game after), just across the street from the tailgating fields. So, if anyone is getting bored of the tailgating scene, feel free to check out some rugby, in what will hopefully be a beatdown on Sparty! If anyone is actually interested, feel free to look up the address of the field on our website (second link if you google purdue rugby) or email me, which is also on that website. Nothing wrong with a little self promotion, right? : )
Yeah...we call it Breakfast Club. The students wake up and dress up in costumes and go to the bars at like 5am. The goal is to make it to the game afterwards, but most don't.
Is it bad that I hope Clemson offers the kid, but that he commits somewhere else?
I think that it's pretty inevitable that it will happen, but just probably not anytime soon. Rugby is a relatively inexpensive sport, and the popularity around the country is increasing pretty rapidly. I think it's only a matter of time before athletic departments want to bite on it. For example, Davenport University has scholarships for their players, along with a few other small universities already. In addition to that, many schools will pay for their rugby clubs' travel costs for away matches. Penn State is a pretty good rugby team, and their club has basically a partnership with the athletic department where they are free to use the trainers, weight facilities and coaches, etc. that the varsity sports are provided with. I'm not sure if they pay for their travel, but they're pretty close to a "varsity" program other than not providing scholarships. Also, women's rugby has actually been named an NCAA "emerging sport" or something like that, which shows that the interest is there.
I'm the president for Purdue's club, and for anybody who follows college rugby, things could be getting interesting soon. The Pac 12 just started their own rugby conference, and I think they're trying to set up an affiliation with the real Pac 12 conference for television and other benefits. So, a few big ten program coaches decided that we're going to start the Big Ten Rugby Conference. We have been working towards organizing it and making schedules for the past few weeks, and I'm pretty excited about the possibilities it brings about. For this coming year, 10 of the 12 teams will participate (Northwestern and Penn State don't plan to join for competition level reasons). I'm hoping that down the line we can work something out with the Big Ten and maybe the Big Ten Network and try to get some games televised.
Either way, the sport is growing, and I can't wait to see how big it can get!
So THAT'S why I never stay on a diet...I haven't officially tried the cookie diet yet!
This is one of the few nice things about Purdue football games (I'm a student there)...the band does seem to play a lot more compared to the most recent Michigan games I've been to. It's the same with our basketball games, the band is very active in both of those sporting events.
Agree to disagree...I'd have a tough time believing that Todd Clever couldn't make it physically in the NFL if he devoted as much time to football as he does rugby.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mve0mVu5y5A&feature=player_embedded
I believe they were those, but with a yellow piping piece on the back going from the sleeve, above the name, to the other sleeve, and something similar on the front.