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Revision as of 00:57, 22 April 2024
One never knows the full impact of our actions, however small or large. After today, I hope you realize the full impact of the actions of our founder, Alan Osur.
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the unveiling and celebration of the bust rendition of our AFA rugby founder, Alan Osur. Before reading a bit about Alan’s contributions, I first wish to recognize some of the VIPs in the audience. And an apology up front for missing anyone, always a risk for MCs!
Please also note the recognitions are not in any particular order… But when I call your name, please stand to be recognized.
Family First:
- Kirsten Osur. Daughter of Alan and Maddie Osur, her husband, David and their children Henry and Jasper Henrich.
- Ryan Osur. Son of Alan and Maddie Osur, His wife Emily and their 3 children, Blaire, Ripley and Kaleb
- Lisa Benhammou-Osur, Alan’s second wife who uplifted his world after Maddie passed, and her sons, David and Daniel with their families.
To set the stage for the after party: I think everyone of us has our favorite “Alan Osur” story to share, as well as our own rugby and career stories. I encourage you to share them before the party is over.
While active duty, Alan excelled at his AF job in the history department. His success in the classroom is well documented and one of his scholarly works around the Tuskegee Airmen remains a frequently referenced piece.
(From Segregation to Integration [Ilustrated]: The Official US Air Force Histories of African-American Flyers From the Tuskegee 4/8/2016 Alan M Osur and Alan L Gropman)
In honor of his academic contributions we have three representatives from the history department here with us: Doctors Leonard, Jennings and Steele.
Others in attendance:
Jeff Burrows,’81. Current men’s team coach and with the team since 2017, played under Alan Osur and was on the team that took part in the very first National Collegiate Tournament, losing in the final to Cal Berkely, 15-9. Accompanied by current men’s team OIC, Eli William ’24, who scored tries Texas A&M, Wyoming and UVU last fall, and Colton Stoub, ‘25
Mont Hubbard. West Point ’64, assistant coach under Alan from the Fall 1968-Spring 1970 Vic Tise, West Point ‘77, Head women’s coach fall 2014 after several years of assistant coaching (from fall 2012) where met Alan
Lou Appelhans, ’74,under coach Byrd, toured UK with the team that beat Cranwell, had the honor of playing against Alan Osur in Rocky Mountain final vs Barbos, and who has made an major pledge as a legacy donor to our Rugby Endowments.
Farris El Nasser, ’91, One of the first to make a pledge to the legacy fun, has also passed on his passion to his son, Rami, who has played for many youth and men’s teams.
Angus MacDonald,’70, Angus was founding member of the club, not only on the original team, but assisted Alan in getting it started and was the first CIC in the fall of 1968. Played wing forward and was in the fall ’68 game against DU where the nickname “zoomies” was coined by Terry Fleener. Scored the first try of 1969 against BYU and although we lost that first game, he captained the 1970 team that beat BYU (again scoring a try in that epic match)
Kurt Chamberlin, ’72, “Curly” caught the rugby bug when he scored a try against the CO Grizzlies in a Fall ‘71 match. He’s been in support ever since!
Mel Cunningham, ‘96 nee Davidson, was the captain of Alan’s team that was 3rd in nation and who stomped Navy 35-3 during the spring break East Coast tour.
Major General (ret) Tru Eyre, ’79, co-captained the team that went on to win the very first (although unofficial) National Collegiate tournament in Laramie, WY. A past AFARF board member, distinguished player on the AFA alumni team, and a major contributor to our alumni efforts supporting the teams. He also owes a broken collar bone and shoulder dislocation to playing rugby. (story reserved for the after party)
Unable to attend, Sean Edris, ’71 due to a family emergency, but wanted to highlight a few thinkg about Sean: Team co-Captain as a firstie , a darn good player and party animal, who went on to start teams literally around the world. Just a little more about Sean: He started a team where ever he was stationed: Taiwan, Kadena Japan, Little Rock AR. He eventually settled back in Colorado and coach/played for the Barbos before moving on to head up the coaching staff at Colorado University. His 23 years at that helm have brought CU up to be a true D1 contender. He, as most of us here, was taught the path by our founder, Alan Osur.
Small world story is that Sean has a connection to our artist, Jim Nance, as both their fathers were bunk mates at Stalag Luft III for more than 2 years. They were both part of the “Bloody 100th” (the Apple + series, Masters of the Air is about the 100th!).
Matt Byrd ’85. First side winger for AFA and AF select side. Just a brief bit: He served 33 years in the AF, was a Thunderbird pilot, flew an F-117 during the first Gulf war. He is currently president and CEO of Hillwood Aviation and is Vice President of the AOG’ Falcon Foundation.
…. And son of….
Tex Byrd. Former head rugby coach as well as assistant coach to and colleague of Alan’s. Want to share just a bit more about Coach Byrd who is a decorated Vietnam veteran and AF retiree with robust military background even after retirement (again, bar talk)
Some little known facts about coach Byrd:
- Played football for UC Berkeley (including a Rose Bowl appearance in 1959)
- Learned and played rugby with UC Berkeley “Old Blue” for a decade
- Was the founding member of the Marin County RFC.
- Played in England with the Thetford and Newmarket RFCs
- Started the Mildenhall AFB Club
- Coached the Mildenhall base football team for two yrs and was named UK coach of the year in 1979
- After playing for a year in Bank OK, he was stationed at the Academy in the PE Department.
- The highlights of his head coaching stint were some impressive victories over RAF Cranwell at Cranwell, winning the Aspen Ruggerfest, and the ERRFU championship).
- Elected to the AFA Rugby Alumni board 2010 and served two three year terms.
Tex made the trip here from Redding CA, where he is an active civilian flight instructor.
THE PATCH: Before some comments about Alan, I want to point out a feature of the bust that many confuse some of you: The patch on his uniform. There was some discussion among the Rugby Alumni board about what to use…. we finally decided to use a patch that would represent both teams and it has an interesting story.
In the 74-75 season, the Rugby Club were using the mud, blood and beer patch with Fat Fred holding a beer mug, a philosophy that was at odds with that of the USAFA. In fact, the 1973 team were denied a place in the yearbook due to that image… the only club I am aware of with that distinction! (true fact) And there was a wish, especially amongst the junior members, for permission to wear a patch on their A jackets and of course, Fat Fred would never do.
Squadron Leader and coach Gordon Alderson challenged the players to design a patch which would achieve the two objectives of representing the team and be acceptable to leadership. The best design came from Roger Smith (77) and against some leadership opposition overruled by the Sup (Gen Beck), permission was granted to adopt this proposed new patch AND with permission to wear it on their A jackets.
This patch was also adopted by the women’s team in 1982 (their first patch). It was worn on A-Jackets, used as a little memento to each ref for the women’s matches, and was in the cadet store and the gift shop until sometime around 2003 or 2004.
You can decide if it is an eagle (representing the USA) or a falcon (representing USAFA) but at some point, it has been nicknamed “Eddie the Eagle”
Now on to Alan Osur and a bit about him.
- His rugby journey began while stationed in England in the mid 60s, playing his first game for Shelford. When he was stationed at USAFA he began an effort to make rugby a club sport, which was realized in the fall of 1968.
- From then until Spring 72 Alan was OIC and head men’s coach for 4 years before the AF transferred him away.
- He returned in Fall of 76 as assistant coach and started and coached the women’s team. Then in the fall of 78, he was head coach and OIC of BOTH team until Spring 80 when the Air Force again transferred him away..
- He returned in the Fall of 94 as head women’s coach and held that position for the next 12 years where his overall record is amazing:
o 17 Western championships
o 8 final four appearances
o 4 National Collegiate Championship games
o 2 National Collegiate Championships
But also some of his history and other accomplishments:
- He served as the Western Collegiate women’s competition committee chairman
- Chairman of the National Rugby Collegiate Committee, which began the Women’s All American Program
o He ran the All American selection process for 12 years during which time he was elected as the Collegiate Director to the USA Rugby national board for a 2 year term.
While there he originated and implemented the National Women’s College Development Camp in 1996.
- Co Founder of the Aspen Tournament, and idea spawned during a ski trip with Terry Fleener, another rugby giant.
- And the impact Alan had on his players has rippled through many rugby communities:
o Many grads have gone on to coach and/or start teams or returned to the Academy to coach. Some at very high levels. The Air Force and Combined Service teams, and even other country’s teams have been led by graduates of Alan's programs.
o As a skillful player, his play was intelligent and crafty. To quote a former player: “When he ran with the ball, I swear his feet never touched the ground; he'd kick or pass it, always damn near perfect.” His play inspired others to continue their rugby careers, playing for local, regional, and (yes) even our national teams. Alan played well into his 60s.
o Alan was also a competent and sought after referee who has influenced many grads to referee and who have made impacts at local, regional, national and international levels.
o And many grads have gone on to become leaders in their own right: Colonels, Generals, CEOs, physicians, fighter pilots and astronauts, most of whom attribute much of their success to lessons learned on the AFA rugby field, an experience rendered possible by Alan Osur
- As as in the Tex Byrd case, many passed the rugby infection to their offspring. One of our past Rugby Alumni board members, Melissa Bauman Phillips, was a member on Alan’s 1994 National Championship team. She returned to the Academy a decade later to contribute and serve as the team OIC, but claims her first rugby influence came from her father, David Baumann 71, who was also coached by (none other than) Alan Osur.
Would like to share a video put together in 2008 by some of the women he coached on the 40th anniversary of the AFA rugby programs.
Roll the film: [[1]]
When Alan retired from his civilian IT job in 2006, he decided to apply for a civilian position in the Academy’s History Department. For context, he was already the head coach of the women’s team when he applied. In his cover letter, there were several paragraphs about how he was academically suited, actually over qualified, for that position, but he said these words which puts things into perspective for us which we have memorialized on the bust:
"As head coach I am in many ways a military training instructor since rugby is an integral part of the cadets’ military training, serving as a hands-on environment for teaching leadership, team work, and self-discipline. As their rugby coach, I helped many cadets with research and writing projects, similar to what I did when I was on the faculty. In spite of our success on the field, I do not believe that record is my most important accomplishment. Instead, what I was able to develop is a TEAM where the players enjoy being with each other, enjoy playing rugby, and enjoy being part of the Academy. My motivation helps players graduate with a positive attitude toward life and the Air Force."
Modest and short sighted, Alan only claims influence on cadets, but as the above stories tell, his personality and persistent passion for our game spawned ripples that have landed on shores far far away from the foothills of Colorado. He has had a profound impact on each of the grads he made contact with and through them, literally tens of thousands others who would not have rugby opportunity were it not for Alan Osur.
The list of AFA rugby graduates gets longer every year, the list of individuals who attained recognition on the field also continues to lengthen, and the impact on our service and country's representative teams continues because Alan Osur saw fit to start the men’s and women’s programs. It is only right we should honor him with a permanent reminder of his efforts.
I would like to invite Alan’s daughter Kirsten, son Ryan and widow. Lisa, up to please help with the unveiling.
And while they are making their way up, I would like to recognize one other VIP in our audience, Jim Nance Class of ‘71, the artist who created this bust from the several photos we submitted to him. Jim has worked diligently on this project and we owe him a great deal of thanks for his talents in crafting this bust.
Words not said, but reflective of Alan that I include here some comments from other grads who have given a tribute for Alan:
Laura MacDonald, 2002 and USA Eagle: “Alan was a huge part of my rugby career.. he taught players discipline and professionalism/class when on the field. My success in rugby started at the AF Academy because of Alan's dedication to his athletes. I could never say thank you enough to Alan for the long practices in hail storms, kicking practice in blizzards, and for the best AFA memories I have! …it was Alan's mastermind that opened the door of opportunity for me”
Sean Edris, ‘71: “In 1968 when we started AFA rugby I remember his leadership…. Coach Osur is still one of the finest officers, leaders and men I have ever known, either inside the AF or in civilian life.”
Wayne Sirhrer. 74 "Al could always either put you in your place, when your head was too big, or cheer you up when you were immersed in beating yourself to death out of self-pity. His criticism was concise, to the point, and highly motivational. Call him a role model, an icon or a personal hero. He was, and is a fixture; one of those rare people who can do, and who can inspire others to do, things that are almost impossible for mere mortals"
Wayne Sirhrer. 74 In doolie year I walked onto the Rugby field and thought I'd found the place I could excel as I had an English mother and all the time I'd spent playing Rugby and soccer while we were in England. I was sure I was going straight to the "A" team Right Wing. Then reality set in. Between that English Wing Commander coach, who was God, and Al (and I think he was a Captain then), who was his hammer, I finally learned a little about humility. Al was an arcane mixture of Superman, Batman, and Daredevil with a modicum of John Wayne, Steve McQueen, Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones) and Mel Gibson (Lethal Weapon) thrown in for good measure. Hope this doesn't sound too much like an epitaph, but doolie year, hanging around with Al Osur was a little like being close to heaven. When he deigned to speak to ya, you knew it was important to listen. Sometimes the hearin' didn't sink in immediately, but I'd eventually see where something I did in a game or practice wasn't quite up to where it should have been. Call him a role model, an icon or a personal hero. He was, and is a fixture; one of those rare people who can do and who can inspire others to do things that are almost impossible for mere mortals.
Mark Rolling, 81: Not only was Alan my coach, he was one of my History Professors. And one of the better ones at that. He also expected his ruggers to perform in the classroom. The story goes on. He also taught my daughter Carol in history and she thought he was an awesome teacher also. Anyway, we were playing the Highlanders on a beautiful morning and Gen Richards was actually at the sidelines talking to Coach Al and watching the game. The Highlanders were always a good team and we were finally ahead in score about five minutes before halftime. I was pulling the ball out of the middle of a ruck when all of the sudden, from the sidelines you clearly see me throw an elbow into the back of a Highlanders head and the ref immediately blows his whistle and ejects me from the game. Well this is all the General sees, then makes a comment to Al about his players 'great sportsmanship' and then immediately leaves the sidelines and the pitch. Al in trouble again because of one of his players. After the ref ejects me from the game I calmly walk up to the ref and show him why I threw the elbow. The teeth marks were still very visible on my arm. The ref does not hesitate and tells me to "Stay on the field and get him better next time." So five minutes go by and Al has been chastised by the Commandant and I am on the field and he doesn't have a clue as to what just happened. The halftime whistle blows and as I get to the sideline and Al asks why in the world I did not leave the field as the ref said nothing to either Coach or the other players except for those around me when he made the single comment to stay in the game. Al said "That would have been nice to know before the Gen had left." He immediately got the team together and acted as nothing had happened. True Al Osur.
PS If you need anything about us hitchhiking across Iowa back from Nationals in 1980 I'll be glad to oblige. I was told by Brad Brown that his father, Gen Brown, Commander of SAC, called Lt Gen Tallman, the Supt at the time that it was pretty poor that he would not pay the way for his cadets to get back from Nationals after we had placed 2nd in the Nation. Al took that one for the team also.
