Portal:1973 Spring Men/Memorable Events

Spring Break Trip to UK (Barry, Russell, Volodzko, Hayes, Yaniglos, Priddy, Scheussler, Meeker, Silver, Read, Murphy, Segulaja, Diffley, Geers, Arnold, Merideth, Walker, Callazo, Weiss, Finnegan); flew over in a C-130 and beat Cranwell! I do remember having the C-130 break down with Engine problems in Greenland and then having a great time in England playing and partying at the formal Dining OUT with more than we could drink… Almost.

The Easter weekend tournament was in Fort Collins and without any coaches; leadership provided by the captains. Tex couldn't go since he'd been away from the family so much that spring. The Captains told him not to worry, that they'd take care of it. We were itching to go because it was an invitational four team tournament - us, CSU (the host), the Denver Barbos and Notre Dame. Of course, CSU set it up so they played Notre Dame on Saturday and we got to play the Barbos. We beat them and then had to take on Notre Dame on Sunday. Problem was we were scattered across northern Colorado for sleeping arrangements - mostly in girlfriend's dorm rooms, etc. 15 minutes before the game against Notre Dame on Sunday morning, Notre Dame warmed up with 20 players and we could only count 12 on our side. But, somehow we had 15 when the whistle blew and went on to beat Notre Dame, win the tourney and bring home a large trophy. I remember the big smile on Tex' face when we showed it to him.

Participated in the first All Academy competition "I remember the 1973 Navy match very well: We played at Annapolis on their athletic fields by the bay. We had a great team (We beat Cranwell over in England, Notre Dame, Texas A & M, and won the Olympia Cup, Coors Cup and the Aspen Ruggerfest that year - fall 1972 and spring 1973.) We had a perfect fall and spring season winning all our games - except Navy! During the game I remember thinking we would beat Navy for sure, but they just kept hanging in there! We lost at the end when our kicker missed the penalty kick by about a foot - he had a broken leg and would not tell anyone because he wanted to play and win so badly! We truly had a great team but were not even mentioned in Polaris, the 1973 yearbook, because the Commandant, B G Hoyt S. Vandenburg, Jr, took our pictures out - we didn't look military enough - mud, blood and beer did not appeal to him I guess! If anyone has a picture of that team I would love to have a copy! Great memories!" Ret. LTC Jim Silver