45th Reunion
"It was a Smash Hit!"
"I don't want to wait another 5 years to do this again"
These were just some of the comments from some of the over 200 MSU Men's and Women Rugby
Alumni who came back to Mankato to help celebrate the 45th Anniversary of Rugby at MSU. Facebook and Twitter were lit-up all weekend with photos of the action, mostly off the pitch, from the alumni.
Here is a very short overview of just some of the events and happening over the Alumni Weekend.
As it has for the last 45 years, it all starts on Friday night at the Oleander Saloon, the spiritual home of the MSU Rugby Club. To the shock of many rugby alumni who have not been back to the Oleander in many years, it has a new look on the inside. Gone are the old tables and booths, the beer stained walls, and wagon wheel light fixtures (which have been made into bar tables). But, cheap beer and drinks are still the norm. By 10:30pm it was impossible to make your way from one end of the bar to the other, without having to form a scrum. As the night wore on the stories got larger and the alumni had taken control of the bar. We noticed that many of the locals who came to the door took one look inside and got bake in their cars to find another watering hole. As players from several generations entered the Ole, they were greeted with cheers and hugs. You could see in the eyes of some of the older rugby alumni that 20 or 30 years just melted away as they were back at the Oleander, on a Friday Night, with their teammates and friends.
Former President, Tim Schnoenker, Past President of the Women's team, Debbie Daily, and Hall of Fame Member, Jay Ziesmer, gather at the Oleander Saloon for the tradition Alumni Reunion Friday Night Social
Overhead view of the MSU Rugby Alumni gathering at the Oleander Saloon the Friday night of the 45th Reunion
If it's Saturday, It's a Rugby Day!
The morning of the alumni matches broke in true Southern Minnesota form, cold and damp. But
the pitch, which is now behind the former Gage Towers, was in great shape. Many of the alumni
took part in the long standing tradition of doing their pre-match warm-up at Spinner's Bar. First up
on match day was the "Masters Match". This match, against the current MSU Team, is for some of
our more veteran alumni who just want the chance to put on the boots and pack down a couple
of times. As the club gets older, there are more and more alumni that see playing time in the
Masters Match. We had young kids out numbered and it showed as the MSU Rugby Alumni Masters
out played the younger counterparts.
Alumni President, Jay Ziesmer, sees match action during the Old Boys Match. He is supported by fellow alumni, Kleetz, Jonesy, and Courtney Voehl.
After the matches, everyone gathered at the South Street for a few after match light refreshments. Here are a few of the MSU Women's rugby players ready to join the fun. This after match party was hosted by, MSU Rugby Alumni, and owner of the South Street, Devin
Inside the South Street, a toast to all MSU Rugby Players!
MSU Rugby Legends, The Spalading Brothers, and Specie, pose outside of the Loose Moose, where the even banquette and awards took place.
Alumni President, Jay Ziesmer, was more than honored to have his picture taken with Former MSU Womens Club President, and Hall of Fame Member, Jane Stanley
This years Presidents Award was given to Courtney Vohel and Bill Garwood. Both of these Alumni have given time, money, and effort to every alumni gathering.
Many of the new alumni, and the current MSU Teams, were introduced to Former President Tim Schnoecker, as he was the auctioneer for the MSU Rugby auction. As usual, Sheeny brought down the house.
Members of 1979-1986 MSU Rugby Club pose on stage with their Club Blazers
L to R: Courtny Vohel, Jay Ziesmer, Ron Kadrlik, Bill Garwood, and Tim Schnoencker
After drinks, a great dinner, awards and speeches were made, it was time for all of the alumni to
make their way into the night. The current team gathered at the rugby house and had a party
hosted by the alumni who donated funds for the party. Our good friend, Tom Freidrickson, owner of
Pub 500, donated a $5.00 drink ticket at Pub 500. Never to turn down a free drink, all of the alumni
gathered to toast each other. It does need to be noted that some alumni were a little late in
joining the rest of the alumni because of the annual alumni detour to Mettlers. I can report that
those alumni did make their way downtown to join the rest of the alumni, but lets say what
happens in the Women's bathroom at Mettlers, the better less said.
One of my lasting memories of the entire weekend is looking out on the streets of Downtown
Mankato on the Saturday Nights and seeing MSU Rugby Alumni everywhere. Going from bar to bar,
greeting each other in the street, and then making their way to celebrate our special bond.
From inside the South Street Saloon, from 9pm until well after bar time, it was wall to wall
MSU Rugby. Some of the older alumni played it safe by holding up next to the bar, but most
alumni were in groups of 5-15 drinking, dancing, and telling stories of past days of rugby glory.
I'm most pleased that if you were a younger rugby alumni, and at the South Street that night,
the older, say statesmen of the club, were buying drinks, making sure that they always had a fresh
drink in their hand.
