Gearing up for season includes a lot of prep work and attention to details. One of the most important aspects leading up to a season is the work you put in off the field and in the gym. Chris Gizzi has been prepping the Lions with his RugbyReady sessions at the Atlas Crossfit on Monday and Wednesday nights. These sessions are open to all Lions looking to get the edge on the competition. Giz’s workouts focus on rugby specific development, emphasizing speed, power, and agility. He has also created a page dedicated to the Lions on his ZoneReady website where players can get all the workouts if they are unable to attend the sessions, as well as build a custom workout from Giz’s extensive bank of athlete specific warm ups, lifts, and conditioning sessions, complete with video explanations.f that wasnt enough, check out the nutritional tips and all the other resources a rugby player needs to get better. Lions wishing to gain access to the site need a specific login and password, which can be gained through the Active Lions email list.

When: Monday and Wednesday at 7:15 PM

Where: Atlas CrossFit – 1030 North Larrabee Street  Chicago, IL 60610

Cost: Discounted Sessions for $20 each

How to get involved: Talk to the Captain or any senior player at practice to find out more info

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Lions Sevens bring their Midwest Championship (5th year in a row) to LV to compete in the Mens Elite division.  First match vs. Spain’s national side Thursday Feb 9th at 10:15 a.m. resulted in a 31 – 5 loss and wake up call for the Lions.  Thursday afternoon they redeemed themselves against Burnuda, with a convincing 33-0 victory.

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Saturday Morning Training until Feb 25, Chicago Indoor Sports. Check back regularly for updates in training locations, due to the mild winter weather.

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Thursday Night 8 pm, Hope Acadamy Gym

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If rugby doesn’t work out for the Lions, they will always have social bowling leagues and Flip Cup Tournaments. So until we start knocking down the pins, we’ll keep up the flip cup tradition on Saturday, January 28th at McGinny’s Tap in Old Town. If you have been at the last few Lions Flip Cup Tournaments at ‘The Tap,’ you’re probably asking yourself the same thing we are: “How are the Lions not banned from that bar yet?” Well, we aren’t. Stop asking questions. McGinny’s Tap is the place where you and three teammates are invited to test your cup flipping skills against Lions players, and most likely beat them handily. Its also a good way to raise some money for the team and show your support while participating in the premier Chicago Rugby Team Sponsored Flip Club Tournament. Proceeds go to Chicago Lions Rugby and will help them reach their goal to bring home some hardware after qualifying for Midwest D1 Playoffs for the second year in a row. So show up, drink up, and flip cups.

Saturday January 28th at McGinny’s Tap- 313 W North Ave.

Team Registration from 6 – 6:45 pm

First flip @ 7 pm.

Teams of 4, $25 entry fee per team.

Prizes for 1st 2nd and 3rd place.

$8 pitchers of Bud Light.

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2nd Annual Chicago Lions Sevens Las Vegas Poker Event – don’t wait until the last minute to sign-up

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Time 6:00pm until 11:30pm; flyer time incorrect

Where Lions for Hope Clubhouse, 2431 W. Roosevelt, Chicago, Illinois 60608

Details:
No-Limit Texas Hold’Em Poker Tournament Fundraiser
$100 Buy-in
$25 Re-buy
60% of Proceeds will be paid out.
1st Place: 50%
2nd 30%
3rd 15%
4th 5%

Proceeds go to Chicago Lions Sevens Team
Please contact Eddie Bluemel to sign up: 630.709.33581
chicagolionspoker@gmail.com

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Dear Chicago Lions Old Boys and Active Players

We are proud to announce the formation of The Chicago Lions Charitable Association (CLCA).The CLCA is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.   The CLCA will provide charitable services for the support of amateur (Chicago Lions RFC) and youth Rugby football the Chicago-metro area. The goal is to promote physical fitness, youth development, sportsmanship and healthy sports competition.

The CLCA is the result of a lot of hard work by many members of the club and takes our club to a level of “sophistication” only a handful of other rugby clubs enjoy. It is important to note that the CLCA is a separate legal entity than the Chicago Lions RFC and the funds raised will be segregated from the operating account of the club. We have set up our own bank account.

For the past several years we have enjoyed an informal partnership with the Chicago Hope Academy. In that time we have helped with fundraisers, field improvement , coaching clinics and in turn, use of  “Lions for Hope Field “ which has become our home. The CLCA gives us flexibility in continuing our relationship with Hope as well as our pursuit of a long-term permanent home.

As a member of the Chicago Lions family, we hope you will support the CLCA and the future of rugby in Chicago. This can be accomplished by a financial contribution to the CLCA in 2011. In addition, your company may have a matching gift program so please check.

There is an immediate planning opportunity for those who are over 70 ½ with an IRA. They can make a direct contribution to a charity from their IRA but it has to be done before 12/31/11 (consult their accountant). So if a parent, grandparent or someone you know meets the criteria, please let us know. There are some other strategies for giving to the CLCA in the future such as naming the CLCA as a beneficiary of life insurance policy or estate plan. We will discuss these strategies more in depth in the future.

Please make your check payable to and send to:

Chicago Lions Charitable Association

P.O. Box 532

Northbrook, IL 60065

 Special thanks go to Rodney Reeves, Tony Rio, Ryan Nelson and Keith Brown for their efforts in setting up the CLCA. Any questions, call Jeff Simon at 847-921-0872.

 Yours in Rugby,

 Jeff Simon, President

Michael Palmer, Vice-President, and Treasurer

George Plackmann, Secretary

Complimentary Injury Screenings to Keep You Healthy!
If you experience an ache or pain, AthletiCo Physical and Occupational/Hand Therapy
offers complimentary injury screenings – your chance for a licensed physical or
occupational/hand therapist or certified athletic trainer to evaluate your injury, answer questions,
and recommend next options.

Complimentary Injury Screenings are available at all AthletiCo centers located throughout Illinois, Milwaukee, and Northwest Indiana. For more information or to set up a screening, call 877.ATHLETICO or visit www.athletico.com<http://www.athletico.com/

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The stage has been set for yet another amazing Lions for Hope Benefit; a charitable fundraising banquet hosted by the Chicago Lions RFC, and Chicago Hope Academy. This year we hope to raise more money to further our mission of mentor and provide opportunity for at risk youth.

Chicago Hope Academy Eagles

Chicago Hope Academy, a private Christian high school serving predominately minority students in the inner city, was founded in 2005 by Bob Muzikowski, a former Columbia University and Old Blue NY flanker. Hope Academy is a coed, non-denominational college and life preparatory school dedicated to nurturing and challenging the whole person – body, mind and spirit. Hope Academy is committed to developing not only sound minds but sound bodies as well. There are about 180 students in this 4 year program and 85% are minorities. The athletic programs seek to serve the students and the larger community through teaching the values of teamwork, discipline, sacrifice, sportsmanship and perseverance. In 2009, Chicago Hope Academy and the Chicago Lions entered into a unique, mutually beneficial partnership in ordered to further develop the sport of rugby in Chicago. This partnership has provided the Lions with a home field and clubhouse in the inner city of Chicago, while producing financial support and developing a rugby program for Hope Academy. Furthermore, the partnership has produced a safe and substantial location to develop all levels of rugby, from youth to Super League.

Last year, over 150 guests attended the event, including a great contingent of current players, as well as old boys, Hope supporters, and friends and family of our honored guest, Bill Lavicka. The early returns suggest we grossed nearly $45,000. All of the evening’s proceeds are used to offset the costs of operating Lions for Hope field, which run about $80,000 per year; so while we made a dent, there’s still more to do here!

4th Annual Lions for Hope Benefit to be held in the memory of Keith Brown 1950 - 2011

This year, we hope to surpass our previous year’s total’s, but that is no easy feat. Already, silent auctions items include Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks tickets, as well as rugby memorabilia, and a raffle throughout the night. This year’s Guest of Honor is the owner of the Lions for Hope Field, Howard Weitzman, however the event is dedicated to the memory of the late Lions President, Keith Brown. Without the hard work and determination of both men, none of this could be possible.

A small portion of last year's silent auction items

When: December 3, 2011 6pm – Midnight

Where: Lions for Hope Clubhouse – 2431 Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60608

Cost :
~ $100 per person for drinks, dinner and live entertainment.
~ $2,500 VIP table of 10
~ $50 for Lions players and Chicago Hope staff

To RSVP, please contact Toni at tmills@chicagohopeacademy.org or call 312-491-1600, or follow this link to the e-vite for the event.

See you there!

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Moustache Season is upon the Lions yet again, so we’ve registered for Movember to embrace the hair of the wild. Many of current and past players have pledged to cultivate a genuine 100% face grown moustache for 30 days to raise awareness and funds for men’s health, specifically cancers affecting men. Last month, a good friend of the Lions and five year President of the club, Keith Brown, passed away after a three-year battle with cancer.  He influenced a generation of Lions through the commitment of his time, counsel, resources and good cheer.  Slightly less importantly, Keith usually rocked a sweet ‘stache.  Those players Keith influenced have formed a Movember group — Brown’s Army — as a small token of our appreciation for Keith’s life and legacy.

Now, we’re on the hunt for trusty and fearless pioneers to join me by signing up for my team. Together we can change the face of men’s health.

To join the Brown’s Army Movember team go to https://www.movember.com/us/register/details/team_id/356558.

Did you know that 1 in 6 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime?

As more people become Citizens of Movember, more lives will be impacted. You can grow a moustache as a Mo Bro, or join as a Mo Sista to show your support and help recruit other Mo growers to the team.

Once registered, Movember will send you all the information you need to start raising awareness and funds for men’s health as part of Brown’s Army.

If you’d like to find out more about the programs funded by Movember, please visit http://us.movember.com/about.

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Keith with his wife, Lisa, at the Lions For Hope Banquet in 2010

Keith J. Brown passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Ocotber 19, 2011 after a battle with Melanoma Skin Cancer. He was Executive Vice President at Klaff Realty, LP, a private Chicago-based real estate investment firm that specializes in the acquisition of distressed commercial property on a national scale. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 18, 1950 and is survived by his wife, Lisa Quinn, and two sons, Colin and Brendan. He also leaves behind a Black Army…

Keith as we knew him.

Keith was President of the Chicago Lions Rugby Club and a board member of the USA Rugby Foundation. Keith had served as President for five years, until this past August when he stepped down. He was instrumental in realigning the Lions when he first became involved as part of the building committee in 2005. At this time the Lions had assets in both the School Street Clubhouse and the North Park Tap. He spearheaded the group to consolidate and sell both using the proceeds to purchase an income producing six flat building on Chicago’s Northwest side. The rental units provide a steady income for the Lions as well as providing lodging for newly transplanted players to get their feet on the ground.

Keith was also the leader in securing the present playing pitch and clubhouse at our Lions for Hope Field in conjunction with The Hope Academy. His work with Hope Academy was monumental. I will be submitting a proposal to the Lions Executive Committee to rename the grounds Keith Brown Hope Memorial Field.

-Ray Karenas

If one could describe Keith in a word, for me it would be “passionate.” As a true lover of life and all of its offerings, Keith made the most of the time given to him on this Earth. One look at his resumé would drop your jaw, his wit would make you smile, and his advice and guidance would inspire you. Yet, as the President of a rugby club, you knew he could throw back a beer or two and just be one of the boys, as well. The influence that Keith has had on rugby in the U.S.A. is immeasurable, and as a leader of lions, a mentor, a friend, a father and loving husband, Keith Brown will truly be missed. Here’s to Keith. – Matt Priest

Dave Hall, Keith Brown, and Dick Smith at the Las Vegas Sevens in 2010

To Keith’s Family -

Dear Brown’s,

It is quite likely that by the time you read this, you will have already heard
everything I am going to say about Keith from the thousands of people aside
from myself that he brought so much joy and levels of friendship to throughout
his astounding life. It is also quite likely that as family members you knew these
characteristics far better, deeper, and more intimately than anyone else who is now
recalling them with such clarity and heavy hearts in his recent passing. Despite the
fact that very little of what you are going to read will be new to you or surprising in
any way, shape, or form, the words still need to be expressed to let you know how
cherished Keith was to those who were able to spend even small amounts of time
with him, but especially to those who were privileged enough to call him a mentor
and friend during the time we were able to share together.

Perhaps more than any sport in the world, rugby brings an exceptionally eclectic
group of men and women together to share their passion for the game and the pride
in which they have for it. The rich and the poor, the young and the old, the seasoned
and the novice – you will find every single one of these people and then some within
every active rugby club throughout the world. And while the goals and passion
for the game may be a shared commodity within a club, those two assets alone do
not ensure there will be the type of teamwork, camaraderie, and mutual respect
amongst the group necessary in order to create the kind of resounding success we
all strive for in playing this beautiful game. In order for true success to be achieved
and in order for a club to become more than merely the sum of its numerous and
distinctive parts in constant motion you need a leader to unite each faction of the
machine and teach them to play and be as one, both on and off the pitch…someone
to teach the club how to become a real part of each other…someone to show
what it means to care, to look out for, to enjoy, and to respect what each piece of
the machine – no matter the shape, size, background, or perceived capabilities –
contributes to the overall success and livelihood that can be attributed to the club
for all its days to come.

Nobody with even the smallest knowledge of the Chicago Lions ever questioned
who that person was within our club. Everyone knew who our leader was, who our
visionary was, who our captain was in times of calm, in times of celebration, and
times of choppy waters alike. The instant you met Keith Brown you knew you were
in the presence of someone who’s vision and passion for the club and life itself was
exceeded only by the reward he felt in bringing such care and friendship to each
individual he encountered along the way. The moment you met him, you knew you
were in the presence of a great man who had acquired knowledge of the lessons we
all strive to pry from life’s handbook throughout our own journeys, and someone
who was happy to share whatever he could to make you and the group you were a
part of infinitely better than you could ever have been without him.

Keith had the unique and unmatched ability to make every single person in a room
feel genuinely welcome to a group; to feel a part of something; to feel as though he
was in fact someone who cared about what you brought to the table and someone
who wanted to help you make the most of those talents, ideas, and qualities that
make up the fabric of who you were. Keith was a unifier in every sense of the
word; someone who was able to bring people from every walk of life together and
seamlessly begin the transition from stranger to friend in the most heartfelt and
sincere manner I have come to know.

Think for a moment about how many different people counted Keith as one of their
closest and most cherished friends they had in their lives…think about how many
people in Chicago and throughout the world honestly felt as though Keith was the
person in their life that they admired most and held in the highest regard. Think
again about how remarkable it is that one individual person was make so many
people feel as though he was their rock, their mate, their partner, their buddy, their
confidant, their voice of reason, their friend in every meaning the word has to offer.
What I am describing is no small feat and should not be disregarded or understated.
Achieving something like this in one’s life can only be accomplished by a person
who values others over himself, someone whose empathy and compassion removes
all room in his heart for greed and selfish desires; and the most difficult of all -
someone who is able to put the good intentions he has stirring within his thoughts
and his soul into real, tangible action in his every day life…

We are all extremely saddened by Keith’s passing. There’s simply no way to avoid
that feeling, and no way to assuage the melancholy we have in thinking about the
time spent with such a magnificent man who meant the world to the Chicago Lions
and all those he came in contact with throughout his life. That said, in addition to
that sadness we undoubtedly will feel for a very long time to come, so too are we
inspired to live our own lives in his honor and take on those lessons he taught us
about cherishing each individual that is already a part of our lives and those we
will meet in the days and years to come as we continue on…about making the most
of your abilities and talents professionally, socially, and domestically…and about
taking the time to enjoy the life that you have with those you love whenever the
opportunity presents itself – just as Keith did.

We’re all going to like this world a little less without Keith in it, and we are all better
from simply knowing him. Cheers, to the best Lion I’ve ever known…and one of the
best men I’ve had the pleasure to meet and learn from in this lifetime.

With love and respect,

Dennis O’Donnell

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