For me, coaching is about building something that becomes sustainable throughout each and every year.  From day one, a little less than two years ago, my goal for Mines Rugby has always been to build a national championship 'contender' each and every year.  The truth is, it's been a little hard...

Now, contrary to how it may sound, I'm not talking about the talent or effort in the 25 man Mines squad.  We've been lucky.  The group of guys playing right now are incredible rugby players and athletes.  They we're really unlucky in the last game of the season - but - they are national championship contenders and will be for the next two years.

The hard part has been dealing with the lack of support, funding and practice space for the squad.  I coach rugby - I am not an administrator nor a very good organiser.  I also have a seperate full time job.  The current Mines Ahtletic Director is somewhat intolerable and unfortunately a waste of my time.  But the bottom line is, despite the efforts of a good Club Sports Director, that this club will not reach sustained and consistent success if the current situation remains.

It is unacceptable that the team could lose a game because we only have access to half a field (if that) each night at practice.  There are certain things in the new game of rugby that need to be taught on a full field.

We really need some of the parents or past players to step up and help make this more of a long term thing.

Apart from the generousity of Rick Carlson and a few others, the team receives no outside funding.  As a coach, I'm not paid.  The two guys that assist me don't get paid.  However, the team travels, stays in hotels and needs rugby gear.  At the moment, I have 25 guys wearing nothing in common but the jersey.  I understand that in the beginnings that's just the way it was - but I'd like to see some pride in the jersey and have all the guys wearing the same gear from socks to jersey.  We do get some help from the University, but we need some outside help as well.  So far, none of Rick Carlson's donation has been used.  The truth is, we really don't know how to manage it.  The University gives the team around $2,500 a semester, I think. 

Anyway, what the team needs is someone who has an affiliation with Mines Rugby but who no longer attends the school to become the Rugby Administrator.  I can't do that job anymore.  It needs the attention of someone who has the time and effort to do a good job.  Essentially this person would manage and work with the club officers to manage the finances, find available fields, develop fund raising and old Mines Rugby contacts, manage and administrate the website, and any other office related duties.

Starting next season (early February), I would like to aim to get the following done;

1. Organise the rental of a full field from the City of Golden - Tue/Wed/Thu - 5pm - 7pm

2. Order new gear - from socks, to shorts, to jerseys for everyone.  Also, order head gear for anyone that requests it.

3. Arrange sponsorship for the jerseys and website

Next season should be pretty exciting.  We will start off by having some early season games against CU and DU.  Although not organised yet. I'd like then to schedule UNC and Regis - followed by end of season games on the west coast.  This would pit us against some other nationally ranked teams in a different part of the country.

In a final note - the boys played great this season.  They didn't end up where they deserved to be, but that's life sometimes.  They are still ranked #5 in the country.