Rugby Club - Old Boys Weekend

The HBS RFC has a rich Alumni tradition. Each year Rugby alumni get together for a winter tournament in the Carribean, and often a summer match in elsewhere in the world. Another tradition is the Old Boys Weekend each October, whereby 40-50 alumni come to Boston from around the world (though mainly the U.S. and Western Europe) for a cocktail party, a match versus the current HBS team, a post-match BBQ on the field, and evening festivities at a local bar.

Truely a great community of people and I feel lucky to be a part of it. A lot of these guys graduated in the 1970's as well, so they have some pretty interesting stories in general, and about their careers specifically. An influential group.

I took full advantage of the weekend, starting with the catered cocktail party in one of the players houses in Brookline (basically the Forsest Hill of Boston), had a great match on Saturday, and went all out at the BBQ (or "Cookout" as it's called here) finishing up with a late night at the bar. As Match Coordinator Great times, some pictures follow.

Recent grads. Not what springs to mind when you think of "Old Boys", and they certainly dampened our spirits on the pitch (though we won in the end).

Cocktail Party at home of Bob Mast and Linda Carlisle
More Old Boys at the cocktail party
Humility lives on well into your 50's, mending gear for the match later in the day
Here I am reacting to my opponent's approach to the try zone. I go in for the tackle to prevent a try...
...and while it may not make a pretty picture, the point is he went down and turned over posession. (You're welcome).
Three pillars of the Old Boys Club: Chuck, Jerry, and Mike Rush (President of Old Boys).

Aside: Chuck is 69 years old, graduated in 1968. I was chatting with him late Sunday afternoon after our league game and said "Now, should I have another beer with you guys or go home and finally get some homework done?" His reply: "What year are you in, first or second?"

"Second" I reply. He then responds: "Then let me pour you a tall one...I know a lot has changed since 1968, but I know that hasn't." And he's right. Great.

The HBS RFC Diversity Initiative hasn't produced fantastic results.

Fellow Torontonian awaits the pass

Both teams in for the post-match photo.