Congratulations to our May Alumnus of the Month, Andy Kelly. Andy helped the team in the late 90s when membership was stretched to fulfill all fixtures. Thank you to Andy and others who would often played in back-to-back games.
When did you play?
1995-1998 I think, it’s a little foggy. Definitely an interesting time in the club’s history. I am so honored to have been involved during that period. That was a pretty solid bunch of guys.
What positions did you play?
Hooker, usually propped by Randy “Waddy” Walker and Carl “Sooper Yooper” Wahl. I vaguely recall playing a game at back against Florida State, but remember feeling quite guilty and never did such a thing again. I played flanker a few times as well, but again, I’m a hooker, and playing elsewhere just wasn’t (and still isn’t!) right.
What got you started?
Freshman year in college out east at Catholic University of America I fell in with some troublemakers and they were from a rugby family. All of them very invested in the game. Over a few pitchers, I was deemed a hooker, and dragged to practice soon thereafter. Like so many others, I immediately fell in love with the game. One of my first games was against Navy, and although I was thoroughly knocked around, it was a blast.
Any honors or awards?
Being a part of the club during those lean transition and BOB Dewey years was the only honor in which I was involved, and one I wouldn’t trade for anything. We didn’t always have the numbers to field a complete side, but thankfully the men’s side would always come through with the support and we’d be on the pitch come hell or high water.
What are your favorite memories/teammates?
No shortage of mischievous events were conceived (and executed) at BOB Dewey, which definitely constitutes one chunk of favorite memories. The tours to Florida, however, were on another level. To this day, I cannot believe what we did, got away with, got off the hook for, and got into on those trips. Some adult supervision may have made a difference, but at that time we were simply unleashed upon the Sunshine State. Too many stories to tell, and decorum prevents the retelling of many! Somehow we all made it back in one piece, with no formal charges having been brought, I think.
Mike Springs, Scott Salamango, Waddy, Carl, Aaron “Punisher” Bennett, Brian Francisco, Chris “Crazy Legs/Marlboro” Marineau were stalwarts, and there were a lot of other good fellas that were there during different times. The guys from the men’s team—our fearless coach JR Hagerman, Brian Zimmer, Dave Perpich, among many others—were just fantastic, showing us the ropes, supporting, coaching, teaching. We were really, really lucky to have had that relationship.
The 0-3 loss in the Michigan Cup finals in ’97 or ’98 was definitely memorable, but wouldn’t say it was a favorite memory (still bothersome after 25 years…).
What have you done since Michigan Rugby?
I went to grad school for architecture, and have been architecting since 2004. Lucky enough to have lived all over the country: Vail, Phoenix, Vegas, San Francisco, New Orleans, Naples, et. al. I’m currently in Florida (scene of the crime). I played sporadically after school, but regretfully never carved out time to continue on throughout the years. Very much looking forward to returning to the pitch once I hit 50, though.
At the end of the day, Ann Arbor will always be home, and I’m looking forward to the day when it might formally be once again.
How has Michigan Rugby affected your life beyond rugby?
Not many days go by where I don’t have some sort of fond recollection of my time with the club. It’s pretty remarkable how even the most innocuous events turned out to be meaningful, and the huge impact teammates had. It was a group of guys, nothing holding us to keep it going other than the love of the game and the respect for and appreciation of each other and the club. I don’t think we ever viewed it as being the last few guys involved on the college side, but that we were lucky enough to be the select few guys involved on the college side. What a great experience.
