The Hourglass

February 11, 2002

A Publication of the Connecticut Grey Rugby Football Club
Dean Jorgensen, Editor

ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET

Sadly, only 32 members and guests attended this year's Awards Banquet at the Waverly Tavern. Those who did attend enjoyed a great evening of wine, song and dance. The club opened up the bar and the buffet dinner was top shelf. The following members and supporters were honored for their contributions during the 2001 season:

Rookie Hourglass: Lou Casciaro and Frank Betz MVP Forwards: Gary Tamburri MVP Backs: Grayson Gregory John Falatyn Freight Train Award: Bob Casey Mark 'Mace' Comen Award: Joe Scandariato Rugger Hugger: Robin Casey Founders' Award: Dean Jorgensen Captain's Award: Malcolm Davidson President's Award: Jeff Bouvier

Lou Casciaro and Joe Scandariato spoke warmly of their good friend John Falaytn. The club toasted John's memory with a glass of Jameson's. Bob Casey was honored by the club as the first recipient of the renamed John Falatyn Freight Train Award. Mickey and Goofy (Tony and Bone-nose) then presented the "alternative" awards. [I'll see if I can't get Tony to provide a write-up for the web site. Ed.]

With Ann Scan and Mal Davidson in attendance, it was inevitable that the evening would end up in a pile of shoes and some unorthodox calisthenics. And while everyone had a great time, it has been decided that we need to do something a little different next year to encourage greater participation. Look for next year's banquet to start in the early afternoon and feature activities like billiards and swimming. Instead of a formal sit-down dinner, we'll have a late afternoon buffet and will locate the event within staggering distance of a hotel. The hope is to encourage a huge turnout and to make a weekend of it.

SPRING SEASON

The spring schedule is now posted on the web. Let's hear it for the match secretary. What we need from you is your best guess at your availability. So please copy and paste the following schedule into an e-mail to Dean Jorgensen, djorgensen@pioneeraero.com, and type "Yes," "No," or "Maybe" next to each match. Do it NOW while you're thinking about it. A "Yes" doesn't commit you to attending and a "No" doesn't mean you won't be selected if it turns out you can play. But Captain Carr is asking for your assistance in helping him know well in advance what kind of turnout he can expect. This survey IS IN ADDITION TO the regular weekly e-mails asking you to commit. As players, we need to do a much better job of caring for our captain than in years past. So SEND YOUR RESPONSE TODAY.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS -- FEBRUARY 23-24

President Tony Johnson invites all members of the Connecticut Grey -- including wives and kids -- to participate with him in this year's Special Olympics in Simsbury. Competition will take place the weekend of February 23-24. Tony would like at least 8 or 9 volunteers to help him take complete charge of one of the events on Sunday the 24th. This includes working as starter, spotter, time-keeper, etc. Anyone who has ever participated in the Special Olympics will tell you that it is a remarkably rewarding and memorable experience. So get in touch with Tony, johnsaw@nu.com, to let him know if you and your family can help. The events will be held off High Meadow Road in Simsbury. Club members are requested to wear their maroon warm-up jacket or gray fleece jacket.

JOHN FALATYN MEMORIAL MATCH

The May 18th Mid Hudson match will be an all-day affair in John Falatyn's memory. Players past and present from Mid Hudson and SUNY New Paltz will be turning out in large numbers. The game will be played as a fundraiser, with all proceeds going to the Kingston area council of the Boy Scouts of America. John was active in the BSA, having served as a board member and president of the local council.

SPRING DUES...

...are due no later than April 11 to guarantee your place on the roster. Send your check for $100, made payable to "Connecticut Grey Rugby Club," to Gary Tamburri, 13 Old Purdy Station Rd, Newtown, CT 06470.

SUNDAY RUGBY, ANYONE?

Not so many years ago, the Connecticut Grey was a Sunday club. Most games were scheduled on a Sunday so dads could spend the day with their kids on Saturday, and then drag the family to their game on Sunday. Is that something you would like to return to? Let Dean know at the same time you reply with your availability for this season's availability.

DARWIN AWARD WANNABE

TACOMA, WA - Kerry Bingham, had been drinking with several friends when one of them said they knew a person who had bungee-jumped from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in the middle of traffic. The conversation grew more heated and at least 10 men trooped along the walkway of the bridge at 4:30 a.m. Upon arrival at the midpoint of the bridge they discovered that no one had brought bungee rope. Bingham, who had continued drinking, volunteered and pointed out that a coil of lineman's cable lay nearby. One end of the cable was secured around Bingham's leg and the other end was tied to the bridge. His fall lasted 40 feet before the cable tightened and tore his foot off at the ankle. He miraculously survived his fall into the icy river water and was rescued by two nearby fishermen. "All I can say," said Bingham, "is that God was watching out for me on that night. There's just no other explanation for it." Bingham's foot was never located.