23 AUG: Start Tuesday-Thursday Training 5-7 p.m., Perkins,
04 SEPT: @Santa Fe 10's Tournament 0900 SUNDAY EVENT
10 SEPT: Albuquerque Rugby Club
17 SEPT: UNM Rugby Club
24 SEPT: El Paso (LEAGUE GAME) requires USA Rugby registration (CIPP,$60/year, w/some insurance, committed rookies free)
01 OCT: @ Albuquerque Aardvarks (LEAGUE GAME)
08 OCT: Las Cruces (LEAGUE GAME)
15 OCT: @ High Desert Classic Tournament Albuquerque, 0900 Saturday and Sunday,
SPRING 2012
14 FEB: Tuesday-Thursday Training 5-7PM, Perkins Stadium
25FEB: Intra squad game
03 MAR: Albuquerque RFC
10 MAR: OPEN(Spring Break begins)
17 MAR: At El Paso St Pat's Tourney (optional, Spring Break ends)
24 MAR: @Las Cruces (LEAGUE GAME)
31 MAR: Albuquerque Brujos (LEAGUE GAME)
07 APR: Santa Fe (LEAGUE GAME)
14 APR: @ Local Final 4 Tucson, AZ
21 APR: OPEN
28 APR: @ Regional Final 8, San Diego, CA (if qualified)
19 MAY: @ National Final 16, San Diego, CA (if qualified)
02 JUN: @ National Final 4 , Denver, ESPN (if qualified)
NMHU Vato Rugby Update 8Sept11
Last Saturday over 50 current NMHU Vatos and Alumni enjoyed 12 games of rugby in happily cool and cloudy Santa Fe for the 38th Annual Santa Fe 10’s Tournament. It was a good day of rugby.
In their College Division the Vatos A side defeated UNM 28-10, Santa Fe 24-0, NMSU 32- 12. Earning the first seed in the playoffs, they again defeated 4th seed UNM 33-5 before losing in the Finals to a smart, quick, fit, and courageous NM Tech 10-15. It was a huge upset but well deserved win by a clever NMT team who used the clock well and kept the ball away from the more athletic Vatos. “We learned a useful lesson losing to NMT, a team we beat 90% of the time. Rugby is a game of fitness and intelligence, not just power. Hat’s off to the engineers and scientists of NMTech. I hope they offer us jobs in the future. We will see them again in a month, and we will remember this loss with a smarter game. I expect a very different result.” noted Coach Dick Greene.
The Vato B side that was full of first time players also had a learning experience losing 3 straight to the more experienced NMT 5-15, NMSU 10-18, and UNM 12-22. “The score is never an important goal in these developmental B side games where everyone has a go. Gaining experience for these young players is the purpose . They did well and the future of the club is bright.” added Vato Captain and graduate student Jesse Berryhill from Espanola.
On the 20th Anniversary of NMHU Vato Rugby, the Vatos Viejos, the Alumni team in the Open Men’s Division started slowly, as alumni teams often do. They lost to Las Cruces (NMSU Alumni), 12-18 and the solid Albuquerque Brujos 12-17. Getting the joints moving better again and almost making the semifinals, they closed with impressive wins over Albuquerque Rugby Club B Side 24-7 and Scottsdale AZ 22-5.
“It was great to get the boys together again for a bit of good rugby, refreshments, and fun. The new Vatos look very impressive. If they commit, get fit, and learn the game. I see another run at the national title in Men’s Division 3 for NMHU,” sited NMHU Alumni and Western Rugby Union All Star John Collier from Albuquerque.
The Vatos open their home season with a friendly game against the Albuquerque Rugby Club in Perkins Stadium this Saturday at 1300. The powerful and highly respected Albuquerque RC Aardvarks finished #6 nationally last season and #2 the year before in Men’s Division 2. Everyone is welcome to the game and the postgame social. Admission is free.
NMHU Vato Rugby Update 14Sept11
On a beautiful early fall Saturday the NMHU Vatos faced the highly respected Albuquerque Aardvarks Rugby Club in Perkins Stadium. In National Men’s Division 2, Albuquerque was a National Quarterfinalist in 2011 and finalist in 2009 on ESPN. After leading 17-15, the Vatos allowed 2 well executed, late scores by the experienced Varks before ending the entertaining and physical game on the attacking 1 yard line with a close loss 17-27.
“You don’t get many chances to beat Albuquerque, and we let this one entropy away. To even the odds, they rested a few of their starters but travelled with many of their best players. The outcome reflected their skills. We simply need to get a lot fitter and smarter to win at this level of rugby. We know that we can play at it. We are tough enough, but being tough is of limited value if you can not apply it over the entire pitch and period. We thank Albuquerque for coming to help us learn in a friendly game. They are a class act indeed, and we hope to join them in the national playoffs in the National Men’s Division 3. We generally do.” noted Coach Dick Greene.
Senior Brian Ybarra from California was named the Vato’s Man of the Match.
The Vatos host UNM Rugby Club this Saturday at Perkins Stadium at 2 PM for both A and B sides (teams) games. UNM reached the Men’s College Division 1 Quarterfinals in 2009 before losing to California Berkeley, the National College Champion that year on ESPN. The Vatos still hold a historic 12-5 record over the Lobos, but most of those wins were during the glorious mid 1990’s. The Lobos have won 3 of the last 4 matches. It should be a close game.
Everyone is welcome to the game and the post game social. Sportsmanship is required.
NMHU Vato Rugby Update 19Sept11
In a close game of southwestern college rugby heavyweights, the NMHU Vatos bested the well coached UNM Lobos 20-10 in Perkins Stadium last Saturday. UNM had beaten NMSU and NM Tech earlier this month suggesting, indirectly, that NMHU was the current de facto leader among state universities. The Man of the Match, ex RMAC football standout and graduate student, Andy Endermann, was a force with the ball in hand as he crossed the try line with useless tacklers holding on.
Although UNM and NMSU have 10-20 times the student populations as NMHU, the Vatos certainly field very competitive teams compared to them. NM Tech has similar student numbers as NMHU. Rugby and soccer are the only sports available at NM Tech so they have some advantage there. The D2 varsity sports at NMHU help support the rugby club with transitional student athletes. Nevertheless, most Vatos are not varsity athletes at NMHU. By allowing graduate students, alumni, part-time students and community members to play (~20% of club), NMHU is not allowed to compete nationally in the College Division. Thus, NMHU must compete in the generally more difficult Men’s Division. Obviously, each school has advantages and disadvantages in supporting club rugby.
The Vatos begin conference games this Saturday as they host El Paso Rugby Club after the Cowboy football game in Perkins Stadium. Kickoff will be at approximately 4 p.m.. Everyone is welcome.
NMHU Vato update 26Sept11
The NMHU Rugby Club Vatos (6-2) bounced pass the solid, rugged, and experienced El Paso Rugby Club Scorpions (5-2) at Perkins Stadium last Saturday. The 24-22 win was a fair indicator of a very fine and physical game of rugby.
“Following another exciting Cowboy football win, it was a good afternoon of contact sport for NMHU. True success and sportsmanship beget a culture of high expectation and class. This should be the standard at NMHU. It seems that the young Vatos are coming on strong and the game of rugby is a continuum, not chaotic segments of brute force. Although there is much work to do, the Vatos executed an interesting and entertaining game. As there is only one volunteer coach, rugby is by design a player’s game. I was pleased that the lads showed a better understanding of the game and had moments of excellence.” noted Coach Dick Greene.
Captain and graduate student Scotty “Butter” Soto from Los Angeles was named Man of the Match. The work ethic and courage of junior Estevan “Guapo” Martinez of Mora was also noted.
As they pursue their goal of the national playoffs, and far more importantly their university degrees, the Vato’s travel to the Santa Fe Rugby Complex this Saturday for a formal rematch with the nationally ranked Albuquerque Rugby Club. Albuquerque fields many Vato alumni who practice their professional careers in the Duke City and continue this lifelong sport. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. and everyone is welcome to the free event and postgame social.
NMHU VATO UPDATE 3OCT11
In a wonderful game of expansive rugby, The Men’s Division 3 NMHU Rugby Club (6-2-1) and the Albuquerque Rugby club (7-0-1) ended in a 26-26 tie. Men’s Division 2 Albuquerque was a USA Rugby Union National Finalist in 2009 and quarterfinalist in 2011. The score reflected the game.
“As all who saw the game were impressed with the quality of the rugby, I am very proud of the boys. A similar match up across divisions would be the NMHU Cowboys football team playing even with a top D1 football team. In the spirit of sportsmanship, it was clear that Albuquerque started with many of its developing players, but they soon turned to their key men when they saw the quiet quality of the Vato team.” noted Coach Dick Greene. “The Vatos hope to advance to the National Final 8 in California in MD3 at the same time and place as Albuquerque does in MD2. There is a strong respect between the two clubs that have historically represented demographically small New Mexico well at the national level. We both try to produce hard gentlemen and good citizens- rugby men.”
Senior Andrew Lavea from California was the Man of the Match. “Drew is a model father, husband, student, athlete, citizen, and person. He is physically gifted and remains humble in victory and gracious in defeat. He will have a fine future professionally and in his recreational rugby.” added Greene.
In their last home game this fall, the Vatos host the improving Las Cruces Rugby Club (mostly NMSU alumni) in Perkins Stadium at noon on Saturday. The Vatos B side plays Adam State College Rugby Club immediately after the first game. Everyone is welcome to the games and the postgame social. The Homecoming NMHU Cowboy football game will follow.
NOTE: As Coach Greene plans to be working in Namibia and Botswana all of 2013, the Vatos are looking for a new
volunteer coach beginning late summer of 2012. Please contact Coach Greene at
greene_d@nmhu.edu if interested.
NMHU VATO Rugby Update 10OCT11
The passionate, unarmored, physical game of rugby has 30 violent players on the field, only one quieted coach in the seats, and a single referee to control the massive temperaments and continuous energy flow. Unfortunately, sometimes discipline is lost to human emotions and the game becomes chaotic and futile. This happened last Saturday as the visiting Las Cruces Rugby Club (6-2) upset the NMHU Vatos Rugby Club (6-3-1) in an unreflective score of 24-14.
“After a month of high quality rugby and sportsmanship, the Vatos regressed. Unpunished violations and unseen foul play by a small number of players created a loss of respect among the two sides and the hapless referee. The game was called early in the second half to minimize the anger and madness. We did not walk away from the torrid temptation to retaliate and simply point to a favorable score. Our discipline failed us. In my four decades of rugby, a foreshortened game has never happen to a team of mine. I am disappointed that we could not have a good rugby game between two quality teams. In the end the game suffered from the mindless actions of a very few that metastasize into the bodies of the teams. The score was irrelevant. It was ugly rugby and void of sportsmanship. It was no fun at all,” lamented Coach Dick Greene. “We will have a much focused chat this week and sort out why we succumbed to vulgar rugby where cheap, hypoxic words and lazy actions loom. We hope to be better men. ”
With their solid record, the Vatos close out their fall season in good shape for a run at the spring national playoffs. Regardless of last Saturday’s fiasco, the Vatos will be the #1 seed in the College Division of the 45th Annual High Desert Classic Rugby Tournament at Bull Head Park in Albuquerque. Many out of state teams will participant. Games begin early Saturday with Finals on Sunday. A dinner/dance with the over 30 teams will be at the Albuquerque Casino Race Track Saturday night. Everyone is welcome.
NMHU Vato Rugby Update 17Oct11
Last weekend the 35 member strong NMHU Rugby Club Vatos (10-3-1) won the College Division of the prestigious 40th Annual High Desert Classic Rugby Tournament in Albuquerque. On Saturday, the Vatos easily won their pool by defeating New Mexico State University 34-10 and Northern Arizona University 19-7 to advance to the semifinals. Sunday saw the Vatos find no contest with Fort Lewis College 28-0 before again facing NMSU who had beaten the other pool winner New Mexico Tech 24-0 in the other semifinal. After a slow, unnecessarily cocky start, the Vatos ran wonderful expansive and joyful rugby in the second half to win 34-12 and claim their clear dominance in regional college rugby. Concurrently, the Vato “B” side won the College Consolation Bracket with a surprising 28-14 win over NAU. For his solid tackling, exciting running, and quiet leadership, junior and fullback Adrian McDuff from Dallas, Texas was named the Tournament’s College Division MVP over many other high quality efforts by his Vato teammates.
“It was a pleasant way to finish the fall portion of the 2011-12 rugby season. I was particularly happy to see our developing “B” side rally to win the consolation. Beating much larger schools in the game of rugby is always as satisfying as it is expected by our standards. We still need to play the game smarter and without interventions and motivations by the coach. Rugby is a player’s, not a coach’s, game. The captain is the singular, responsible leader during the game. We also need to lose some adipose tissue, fat, and gain some aerobic muscle, fitness, if we are to be successful again at the national level. As per the cliché, we are big fish in a little pond and maybe a bit too proud of ourselves. Nevertheless, I am very happy for the boys and their sportsmanship. The Vatos and their student leaders, Scotty Soto and Brian Ybarra, showed class on and off the fields. We are a fairly good rugby team, and we are on a solid trajectory that may make some lasting memories. Others may even become proud of us.” reflected Coach Dick Greene.
The NMHU Rugby Club thanks their supporters and sponsors. The independent Vatos hope to continue to represent NMHU, Las Vegas, San Miguel County, and New Mexico in a positive way when they continue the 2011-2012 season in late February. Most importantly, they will work hard to earn their university degrees. Rugby is recreation for fitness and fun.
Everyone is welcome to join the club in this lifelong sport and become a fit rugby player. Please contact Coach Greene at
greene_d@nmhu.edu
NMHU RFC Update 12Nov11
On 5-6 Nov11 three NMHU Vato student athletes were selected to play for the Eastern Rockies Rugby Union College All Star Team in the USA West Rugby Union All Star Championships in Kansas City, Kansas.
The Eastern Rockies All Stars reached the Finals before losing to the Heart of America All stars. The Texas All Stars won the consolation.
Senior Estevan Martinez from Mora, Junior Adrian McDuff from Dallas, and Junior Jake Whiting from Los Angeles were highly applauded by Coach Micah Carter from Regis University in Denver. “The young Vatos were exemplary representatives of NMHU and New Mexico on and off the field. They may be selected to the USA West All Star Team next spring to compete at the national level against the USA East, Midwest, and Pacific Unions All Stars. From this competition, the USA All American Team will then be formed and will tour internationally next summer. By their merits they have entered a highly selective pool”, noted Coach Carter.
“It was a good experience to play at a high college level with some of the best players in the West. Everyone knows the game well and is smart and athletic. Not needing to instruct others, I can focus on my game and skills. It was fun to have a go with them”, remarked halfback Estevan Martinez.
“Obviously, better opposition produces better rugby. It was fun to represent small NMHU in the arena of major universities”, added lock Jake Whiting.
Center Adrian McDuff remarked, “Good rugby flows through channels plowed only by experience. All the players were experienced sportsmen. I will run sharper angles and tackle more effectively from my time in Kansas City. Like all sports, rugby is only a game, but a great game that respects fitness and fair play.”
Coach Dick Greene was not surprised by the success of the chosen Vatos. “I expect all Vatos to act as hard gentlemen- rugby men- nothing less. They did. I tip my hat to them.”
The NMHU Vatos (11-3-1) continue their quest to reach the 2012 National Playoffs in mid February 2012.
Finally, at the well organized Annual Vato Awards Dinner on 1NOV11 the following players were honored for 2011:
Overall MVP Scotty Soto
Forward MVP Brian Ybarra
Back MVP Estevan Martinez
Rookie MVP Jake Whiting
Vato Loco Award Matt Guzman
Vato Character Award Andrew Lavea
Everyone is invited to have a run in 2012. Please contact Coach Greene at
greene_d@nmhu.edu