June Alumnus of the Month: Zeb Clemente

Zeb Clemente is our June Alumnus of the Month!

When did you play?

I did not start playing at U of M until about 1990, and I played consistently with the team both fall and spring until 2007 when I completely tore a bicep attempting an arm tackle on a shifty 19-year-old college player during the Olde Boys Game.  I was 50 at that point, and decided to retire on that injury, after more than 30 years of playing.  I figured I played around 250 games for U of M.  And close to 500 games over my career (which means over 1000 training sessions and about 250 road trips and camaraderie), with a variety of teams including international touring sides and tournaments for 15s and 7s, which came paired with a huge list of the regular rugby injuries: lost teeth, crutches and stitches.

What position did you play?

I played scrumhalf and hooker.

What got you started?

First, I was fortunate to have a lot of friends on the team and from the past, especially Dave Perpich, Jim Hagerman, Tom Stulberg, Jeff Hagan, Muskrat, Angelo Tocco (who got me into rugby at CMU), Harry McGee (coach at MSURFC), Paul Leblanc, Masso, Wooley, Tony Menyhart, Scott Crisler, Peterson, Boo Deveau, Elmo, Jack Fisher,  Lil Duff Smith, Van Dusen, Tommy Raboine, Kingsbury, Hanshue, Dave Weber (who used to pancake tackle me when I played against him, but I still called him a friend), Paul & Sean Knight, Chapman, Hacksaw, Rose, Arnold Cowmeadow (he was a referee with Steve Cohen) and too many others to remember. I did not include Tim Parros, and the Zimmer Brothers because they used to hate me when I played for State (rightfully so, since I captained against U of M many times), but I eventually became their friend… I think?

Also because of my job, I could not get to practice until later at night, I was at that time playing for the Detroit Tradesman, and U of M was playing under the lights where the U of M field hockey pitch is now, on State Street, from 7 to 9pm.  Perpich lived in Dearborn, close to me in Lincoln Park, so we used to ride together.  Lets say Dave’s driving technique and spider senses made the drive memorable, and I often wore a safety helmet for protection.  Plus, I always loved a university town, more exciting and always something going on every night after a practice or game.  We would always end practice at Public House, Frasers, or BOB Dewey House: there was always a rugby house within walking distance from the pitch.  It was great era!  I should also mention that during my tenure we played and practiced at a variety of venues: Palmer, Mitchell, Elbel, Ferry, Oosterbaan, Riverside, North Campus (where the autonomous vehicles are) and Ypsilanti. 

What honors/awards did you receive?

For rugby, I have done various assistant coaching gigs, usually with college sides, and Dave Poquette and myself coached the Michigan Collegiate Select Side for about five years, where I really had the opportunity to know players from around the state and country.  Also, I was president and captain at MSU, and I was VP for the Michigan Rugby Union.  Additionally, I was fortunate to do about 12 international tours, all the continents, except Antarctica—I’m working on it! 

What are your favorite memories/teammates?

Beyond those above there are tons of younger players (another great thing about playing in Ann Arbor, I played through about 7 eras of rugby players) that I still consider myself to be friends with: Big Ed Spybrok, Salamango, Mario, Leo Kim, Colin, Sam the Dentist & Loxley, Pat Wingate, Craig Williams, Dale Tuttle, Dan Cronin, Stearno, Tom Clark, Erica, Warpig/Moberg, Satan, Rebecca, Sultan, Attia brothers, Marcus, Karl, Tex, (lawnboys), Train, Acho, Karim, Ashby, McBrydes, Peck, Brad Martin, Waddi, Wes, Livanos, Ludden/Lund, Nemec, and too many others. Needless to say, I’m sure I will upset others who I forgot.   

Stories will only be limited answers for many reasons: Airplane Ride to Vegas x5; TC tournaments; NashBash; Sarnia; Cleveland Flats; Lake Placid van ride; Bachelor parties/Sultan Movie production; Halloweens; Pixley & KZ; Being a job reference as a legislator for many rugby grads and interesting backgrounds; Rugby supporters; the Compound; Olde boys at Cowmeadow’s Farm, bonfires, Singing, bands and sporting events; fights at practice; Kangaroo Courts; 3am Fleetside; Stulberg cheat sheet schematic soap opera, The great Schism at separating the College players from the Grumpy Old Men; Low Rider and Ring of Fire; Zimmer cottage; the Michigan Governor’s Legislative Resolution congratulating the team on winning the Midwest in 2004; and many more

When you played as long as I did, Olde Boys Weekend is one of the highlights of the year: a real homecoming, with a ton of stories, with a lot of old friends, what ever team I have ever played for, rugby people are the best and truest friends anyone can have in life! Amen.

What have you been doing since Michigan Rugby?

Well, I was still a state rep when I retired from playing, and for the last eight years I was Michigan Liquor Control Commissioner/Judge. Now I have an interesting job, I work for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, currently hosting a podcast interviewing economic leaders and identifying trends around the state.

Congratulations to Zeb as our Alumnus of the Month for June 2021!