2006 Sevens Season

Oakmark and CPH & Associates sponsored the Lions 2006 7s season.

The 2006 7s season has come to an end. It has been a disappointing one for many reasons, but that is not the tenor we should take from it. The Lions started surprisingly well at the Highland Games, and that success may have built unreasonable expectations. Never again did we have that contingent of players together, or even half of them, for another tournament. We entered three tournaments and submitted three different rosters that included only two players from the first through the last. In fact, each of the the three 7s days included only a couple of players who had played in any of the other tournaments. Therein lies some of the silver lining in this summer: we have a depth on this team to build a quality, championship striving 7s team, and the number of players interested has only grown. Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, they are or were unable to commit to an entire season. When this occurs, perhaps as early as next year, we will be poised to retake our mantle of winning the Midwest (a possibility this year as every year despite our limitations), and to rejoin the ranks of national rugby clubs who excel at 7s as well as 15s. There is a place for us there. We should seize it!
Thanks goes out to all who contributed to 7s this year even though the club failed to win any qualifiers, or even garner a victory at the Midwest. When they played, Scott Peterson, Scott Jones, Eddie Bluemel, Joe Chesak, and Dave Selimos showed that they can dominate games and bring victories. Supporting players who gave selfishly of themselves like Joe Stuckey, Stephen Menyhart, Misha, Jonah Kadish, Gonzo, Kruger, Spiros, Paul Dituro, Brian Stone, and Paul (?) certainly didn’t play the minutes they might have desired, but did more than they were asked, always positively. Thanks to you all. The future core of the team might be summed in one name, John, both Bryant and Coughlin (welcome to the Lions permanently!) who made their errors, made great plays, made an impact on games, and made people proud. Finally, the old dudes include George Plackmann, John Ehresman, Aaron Manheimer, and Rich Hughes for providing the stability of a quality rugby team. The season would not have occurred at all without the tireless rejuvenation, fund raising, organization, leadership, optimism, cohesion, and effort from these 4 guys. Let’s remember the feeling at the end of this season’s disappointing outcome and be determined to reverse it, beginning now.

7/15 Match report for CinCity 7s

After a long drive to Cincinnati Friday (and an early morning flight for Stretch Saturday morn), the Lions took the field at 1pm facing Cincinnati Wolfhounds. The game was tense, but John C. dashed to the try line and shovled to Stretch for the first score of the match, conversion good by Joe. This tense game lasted until deep in the second half at 7-0 until Cincinnati scored in the corner near the end, and they failed to convert the kick, yeilding a Lions victory. Then, 20 minutes later, the Lions took the field against Michiana, their first of two on the day, and made some costly errors that overcame the hustle by Paul, Stretch, and John Bryant. The game was tight until the last play of the game when Michiana stole a Lions put and scored to seal the win - Lions 14, Michiana 24.

Despite the loss, the Lions earned a berth to the playoff stage with Michiana, Louisville, and Scioto Valley. As the last place qualifier the Lions faced the first place team, Louisville, who played like it and scored early and often. Stephen Menyhart scored the only try for the Lions in this never close contest. Still, the Lions had a chance to qualify for the Midwest by way of a 3rd place finish, again against Michiana. Lions lead by two points late into the game, after scores by John Bryant among others when suddenly Michiana's scrumhalf squeezed through the middle of the line and scored to win the game by 3 points.

It was a difficult outcome compounded by the hot day, but thanks go out to everyone who made the trip and the effort. They include Rich Hughes, Stretch, Joe, John Bryant, Paul, Spiros, Misha, Chad, Ringo, John C, Kyle, and Bryan Stone. Also, appreciation gooes out to Aaron for his support in the preparation.

6/20 Season Meeting:

We expect a quick season, so a meeting is required on Tuesday, June 20. The location will be Ringo's house- 203 S. Sangamon St. #314, Chicago, IL 60607. The general vacinity is Adams and Halstead in the West Loop/ Greektown area. The Blue line stop is UIC. Please be on time at 7pm for drinks, chips, and a chalk talk with coach Rich Hughes, assistant coach Aaron Manheimer, and administrator Evan Haim along with the rest of the interested sevens players. All are welcome from Superleague side through c-side and old boys. Questions can be directed to Rich Hughes at 7s@chicagolions.com, or Ringo (for directions) at chicagolions_ringo@yahoo.com or 773.580.9710.

7s TRAINING LOCATION:
 
Our 7s training location, for both Tuesdays and Thursdays, is located at Northeastern Illinois University.  Start time will be 7:00.
 
The pitch is in the southeastern corner of the campus, which is the corner of St. Louis and Foster.  St. Louis is about 3600 west - just 2 blocks west of Kimball - and Foster is 5200 north.  There is street parking and an entrance onto the campus on Foster.  There is street parking on St Louis (one-way south, so go up across Foster and over to St. Louis, then back down).  There is a pedestrian entrance onto the campus from St. Louis.
  It is quite easy to get to Northeastern.  Take about any northbound street up to Foster.  There is also a Foster exit off of the Edens.  From the north, there is an entrance onto the campus from Bryn Mawr - it winds around down to the Foster entrance.
 
This is a private facility.  University personnel will be present during training.  Be smart.  Be respectful.  They have offered us use of their restroom facilities. 

Sevens in 2005

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