Thunderbird Rugby Football Club

Here’s who I expect at RAW ‘25:

Players-
Pat Smith
Luis Vidal
Pat Shields
Larry Rogers
Greybeard
Chris Campbell
Greg Cohen
Bill McColl
Nick Penna

Non-players-
Koops
OP

Who am I missing?
Sound off, playing or not!

DM me or [email protected]

I’ll be hosting a tailgate in the south lot, so shout out if you’re coming to Chicago!

T-birds:

Last chance to get in on the “Injured Reserve” sponsorships!

$100 gets you a tour t-shirt and your name in the program. (See art below)

PayPal $100 to: [email protected], along with your size and address

We have 1 discounted tour package available for a player. $1,450 covers the in-country costs; you provide your airfare and some meals.

DM me ASAP if you want this.

We also have a tour scholarship available for an old boy graduating in 2017 or later.
You only pay for your airfare and some meals.
First come, first served.

DM ASAP.

Regards,
Chuck

TARA People:

RAW '24 is March 14-17!
If you haven't RSVP'd, please do so to me and I'll send you the RAW schedule.
I want to be sure we have enough room for everyone!

Tour Scholarships:
We have four $1,500 student player "scholarships" to introduce students to the glories of touring!
If you'd like to create another, please contact me. It could be an individual or group pooling funds.
([email protected])

Tour Sponsorships:
We do need corporate sponsorships to help defray tour gear costs for jerseys, etc.
$2,000 (Gold Level) gets your logo on the Jersey front, on the back of the tour t-shirt, and in the Tour program.

$1,500 (Silver Level) gets your logo on the Jersey back, on the back of the tour t-shirt, and in the Tour program.

$500 (Bronze Level) gets your logo on the back of the tour t-shirt, and in the Tour program.

Injured Reserve Sponsorships:
$100 gets you a tour t-shirt and your name in the Tour Program.
(PayPal $100 to '[email protected]' along with your size and shipping address)

Join me in continuing the grand tradition that is Thunderbird Rugby!

Regards,

Chuck Hamilton '91
President
Thunderbird Alumni Rugby Association

RAW ‘24 Attendees so far:
Pat Smith
Mike Lee
C.Campbell
Koops
Darren Johnson
Brad Steinmetz
Taylor M
Jim Hayes
Greybeard
Heidi Saunders
Jens Rosmus
Dave Baerveldt
David Sas
Luis Vidal
Greg Cohen
Bill McColl

If you’re coming, let me know.
We need to confirm appropriate space for events!

Chuck

https://dastornews.com/2023/09/reviving-the-thunderbird-rugby-club-a-tale-of-tradition-camaraderie-and-renewed-connections/

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REMINDER:

Old Boys Tour 2024:
St. John’s, Newfoundland & St. Pierre, June ‘24
5 nights
2 matches

Arrival day
match day
travel day
match day
farewell party day

$1,500/head w/o airfare or kit.
Working on the exact dates with our hosts. We’d all meet in either Toronto or Montreal for the flight to St. John’s.

I’m collecting names now, so get on board!

The in-country cost of this tour is roughly $1,000 LESS than the Casablanca-Gibraltar tour.
Our goal is a 22-man playing roster, with plenty of room for guests and support staff, as always.

Please reach out to be placed on the “Interested” list.

Regards,
Chuck Hamilton ‘91
President, TARA
[email protected]

Sam Rosenbalm ‘95, has passed away after a 6-year cancer battle.

TARA People:

RAW ‘23 was a success! More than 25 old boys showed up on the weekend to support the growth of Thunderbird Rugby. The Pandemic had decimated student clubs across the Thunderbird campus, but spirits are high for the continued growth of the rugby club.

More than $1,300 were raised at the Banquet/Auction, led once again by the charismatic Pat Shields.

The local Old Boys are excited to support the student club: Nick Penna and Heidi Saunders are leading that effort.

The Duke MBA tournament seems to be much scaled back, with a much smaller turnout of clubs and the fact it appears Stern is running it now.

To that, Ralph Holmes ‘98 has offered a $1,500 “Student Tour Scholarship” to support a worthy student player to join the Old Boy tour of Newfoundland and St. Pierre in June 2024.

This being such a great idea, Bill McColl ‘86 has agreed to sponsor a second scholarship, and we’ve decided on a goal of 4 “student tour scholarships” for this awesome tour.
We are looking for two more alumni sponsors to complete this goal. We will also accept a “team” sponsor, if for example several teammates from a particular year want to pool together to provide a “tour scholarship”.

Please reach out if you’re interested in supporting this.

Early calculations…
Old Boys Tour 2024:
St. John’s, Newfoundland & St. Pierre, June ‘24
5 nights
2 matches

Arrival day
match day
travel day
match day
farewell party day

$1,500/head w/o airfare or kit.
Working on the exact dates with our hosts. We’d all meet in either Toronto or Montreal for the flight to St. John’s.

I’m collecting names now, so get on board!

The in-country cost of this tour is roughly $1,000 LESS than the Casablanca-Gibraltar tour.
Our goal is a 22-man playing roster, with plenty of room for guests and support staff, as always.

Please reach out to be placed on the “Interested” list.

Regards,
Chuck Hamilton ‘91
President, TARA
[email protected]

TARA People)

Thursday, March 2, 7 PM at the Pub:

Our usual, informal Pub Night.

Please wear a Thunderbird Rugby T-shirt, old boy jersey, or Tour jersey. Be ready to talk up the advantages of being a member of the Thunderbird Rugby club to the general student body.
Kind of like fraternity Rush in your undergraduate days. The pandemic Has caused a sort of reboot of the rugby team, and the current student body needs to understand the advantages and privileges of rugby club participation.

Friday, March 3 student club alumni mixer at the pub, 7 PM

After a day of golf, or spring baseball, make your way to the Pub for our traditional student club old boy mixer. Be ready for speed networking, so find your way to the back of the bar where the rugby booth is located. As in the past, the alumni form large circle facing in with a student club inside that circle facing out. Every three minutes the students will move one step to the left to network with the next alum.

Saturday, March 4 1pm,
Rugby match

Sueno Park, soccer field
4401 W Encanto Blvd
Phoenix AZ 85035
(13 min drive west of Thunderbird SGM)

We have a beer permit!

Saturday, March 4, 7:30pm

Rugby Banquet/Auction
Cornish Pasty, lower level
7 W Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ 85003

Pay as you go/order by table.
Eat, drink, revel in awards, and bid on hot Rugby swag!

RAW 2023 will be the weekend of March 3, so start making your plans!

This year’s T-shirt will read, in English,
“I’m not old;
I just have
lots of
stories”

$20/ each if collecting on campus, $25 if I need to ship stateside.

Early calculations…
Old Boys Tour 2024:
St. John’s, Newfoundland & St. Pierre, June ‘24
5 nights
2 matches

Arrival day
match day
travel day
match day
farewell party day

$1,500/head w/o airfare or kit.
Working on the exact dates with our hosts. We’d all meet in either Toronto or Montreal for the flight to St. John’s.

I’m collecting names now, so get on board!