Connecticut Yankees Rucks & Mauls

Yankees AGM In this issue of

Rucks & Mauls

AGM Recap

Off-Season Weights

with Michael Pappa

Scavenger Hunt

Mayhem

Captain Planet

Yankees Social

Calendar

Legend’s Corner

A Thanks to our

Sponsors

November 16th, 2012

Volume 1, Issue 11

Pg. 1

“It’s gonna be massive footy, mate.”

On Thursday November 8th, the Yankees hosted the AGM at our new friend, and

sponsor establishment, East Side Café (try the veal, it’s delicious).

Upon announcing that he is preggers, El Presidente, Giles Haysom, indicated

that he will be abdicating his seat. Rucks&Mauls would like to send a big

congratulations to Giles and Jenny...he’s gonna be a rugby player, he is, he

iiiiiiiisss.

After some hotly contested and slanderous campaigns the following slate of

officers was elected for 2013:

President - Tom Campbell

Vice President - Michael Pappa

Treasurer - Pat Toole

Business Development - John Tublin

Match Secretary - Michael Tone

Recruitment Chair - Matt Slattery

Social Triumvirate - Eric Johnson, Kyle Schlatter, Michael Weiss

Legends Chair - Pablo Colon

Chairman - Randy Heller

Tour Chairperson - Melissa Clark

A huge thank you to all of those officers who served in 2012, and also to those who, in addition to the above,

have agreed to step up and take the lead on the subcommittees. Like the game itself, the success of this

club will be determined by the collective efforts of its members.

Off-Season Training

Gentleman, the off-season is upon us. Cold, dark days

mean hard training in the gym. Whatever you do, work

hard and rest hard. The purpose of training is to incite a

recovery stimulus in your body - in other words, you only

grow when you rest. Make sure that in addition to training

you're eating healthy and sleeping plenty. This will take

your results in the gym over the top.

If you've been following the yahoo group, I've suggested

two programs to form the basis of your training. The first

is from Joe DeFranco, a professional coach who has coached athletes ranging from high schoolers

who are 120 lbs soaking wet to professional athletes - this program works. The second is a classic

strength and size program from Bill Starr that has you work in the gym 3 days per week

conditioning and running can be done on the off-days.

The Joe DeFranco program can be found here in PDF form: http://www.elitefts.com/ws4sb/ws4sb.pdf

The program allows you to chose which exercises you do based on movement patterns, allowing for

variability and some sense of control over your training. Also, don't forget the assistance work. These

exercises after the main movement are very important for keeping you healthy and packing on good

size. Notice also the dynamic lower body day - jumps are kept to under 3 reps. This is purposeful

because dynamic training is not meant to fatigue your muscular or cardiovascular systems but train

your central nervous system. You shouldn't be breathing heavy from these or feel intense soreness.

There are also suggestions for adding in speed training.

The second program is from Bill Starr:

http://stronglifts.com/madcow/5x5_Program/Linear_5x5.htm

Note that it has you squatting 3x per week - this is good for

rugby players and strength athletes but can be difficult for

someone used to having one dedicated leg day per week and

three "bicep/tricep" days. If you're new to squatting this much,

make sure your form is correct, and start with lighter weights.

If you need help with squatting form, you can talk to me, a

personal trainer, or look up "Goblet Squats" by Dan John on

youtube. It's a great, quick, and easy way to start squatting

properly.

Be sure to stay mobile and flexible, and keep foam rolling!

It'll do you wonders.

I and the other team leaders are looking to have some regular

opportunities to play touch rugby and we may do a mid-

off season fitness or strength test so stay tuned. The Social

Triumvirate is also hard at work planning fun events.

Best,

Pappa

Connecticut Yankees Rucks & Mauls

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Yankee Since: 2012 Nickname: Captain Planet Position: Outside Center

Why Toole? While still a rookie, his athletic ability and commitment has already earned him a spot

among the starting XV. Additionally, his dedication to the club has seen him the newly appointed

treasurer. He is part of a foundation that will help make this team successful again.

Favorite Memory As A Yankee: “My favorite memory as a Yankee is scoring a try against

Danbury to tie the game on my old high school field.”

What Other Sports Did You Play?: “I played football, baseball, basketball, and gymnastics, but I

was bad at all of them. I wrestled my freshman year of a high school, and our captain told me to join

the rugby team, so I did my junior year.”

Interesting Facts About Toole: “I like to read books, mostly about sports and television. I ran a

half marathon in an hour and a half. I eat Special K with Red Berry every morning for breakfast. I

am kind of a big Notre Dame football fan, oh wait you already knew that.”

Who Is Your Favorite Teammate To Go Slumming With? “I have to pick Matt “Twinkle Toes”

Gavigan because he seems to make worse decisions then I do, which is just amazing.”

When Did The Obsession With Taking Your Shirt Off At Parties First Start? “It started my

freshman year of college. I was at a party when a bunch of the guys were shirtless on the front porch

doing bicep curls. I also took my shirt off before passing out on a chair, but for some reason I was the

only one who continued to do it at parties. It kind of became my thing to the point that parties

weren’t considered good, until I took my shirt off.”

Favorite Quotes:

“It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.” - Mark Twain.

“The power is yours.” - Captain Planet

With Thanksgiving Next Week, What Are You Thankful For? “I’m thankful for God, my family,

my job, not having a girlfriend, and that I get to play the best the game on Earth with the best group

of guys I could ever hope for.”

Any Final Words Of Advice? “Keep you friends close, your enemies closer, and your girlfriends in

different time zones.”

Want to nominate a Yankee of the Month, or have a question you would like to ask of your favorite teammates? Let the edi-

tors at Rucks & Mauls know.

YANKEE OF THE MONTH

Pat Toole

Connecticut Yankees Rucks & Mauls

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Page 4 Connecticut Yankees Rucks & Mauls

Fall 15’s Results

Every Tuesday/Thursday - Practice @ Andrews Field, 7:00pm

Date Team Venue Result Man of the Match

09/01 Montreal Irish Montreal Win

Tournament

09/08 Lansdowne RFC (NY) Home Loss 27-25 Rory; Matt G.

09/15 Danbury RFC (CT) Away Loss 38-19 Doug; Kyle S.

09/22 Rockaway RFC (NY) Staples Loss 34-26 Unknown

09/29 Danbury RFC (CT) Home** Loss 38-12 Toole; Tone

10/06 Lansdowne RFC (NY) Away Loss 31-6 Unknown

10/13 Union RFC (NJ) Away Loss 60-14 Mario; Matt G.

10/20 Rochester RFC (NY) Away Loss 95-5 Iceberg

The Yankees are all about rugby, yes, but we also strive to have fun off the field, positively

impact our community, and promote rugby development in Fairfield County. For all of you social

side players here is a tentative schedule of upcoming social obligations to mark on your calendar:

Yankees Family Bowling Night - Stay tuned for more details

Yankees Winter Olympics - tests of strengthen, and skill, to keep our minds and bodies

sharp in the off-season

Yankees Holiday Party

The CT Rugby Development Organization LLC, is a non-profit organization that raises

funds money towards a scholarship for a rugby player and high

school senior, who needs financial aid for college. Last year,

the Yankees contributed a $1,500 scholarship to a graduating

senior. Through upcoming social events, the Yankees hope

increase their support of education and rugby.

Social Schedule and Community Development

The Fall season is well underway. So far the Yankees have faced some tight competition against

Lansdowne, and a solid Danbury team. The Yankees are looking to capitalize on their remaining

home games to draw out their loyal fans and bring in a few wins.

This is the true story of First Annual Connecticut Yankee Rookie Scavenger Hunt as told by a rookie. These stories are all

true, or at least as close to the truth as my brain remembers. The names have been changed to protect the guilty…

After our final home game at Rochester, our beloved MegaTone got us a house on Colgate’s campus, which was about 2

hours away from Rochester. After stockpiling way too much booze, the Yankees got to the house for some debauchery and

tomfoolery, but there was a catch. The senior members of the team split the 6 rookies who came into teams of 2 to compete

in a scavenger hunt. This particular rook was placed with Geodude and Danamial with team captain Tubbs to form “Team

Gun Show”. Our competition was Iceberg, Mole (the Deer Hunter), and ManCampbell. Their team captain was Tom, so they

named themselves the highly original Team Campbell...points deduction for lack of originality.

To start the competition, we were read the various tasks need to complete the hunt and the arbitrary scoring system. They

included “parkour-ing” from watering hole to watering hole, capture the panty, and sucking face with 18 year old co-eds,

among other things not appropriate for publication.

But there was only one challenge that I really cared about: stripping naked and running on the golf course behind the

house. As soon as they said go I couldn’t get my clothes off fast enough as I ran outside did a dance on the golf course then

ran back inside. Points! The competition started off close as Mole one upped me by running naked, then jumping in a creek

next to the golf course! I could tell this was going to be a legendary night, with some fierce competition. Iceberg then puked

after shooting the boot for his try against the Aardvarks. Not to be outdone, Team Gun Show countered by scoring a try on

a nearby (undefended) rugby field, and learning a new rugby song.

We then set out to burn down the Colgate campus. We hit up MegaTone’s fraternity for some beer pong before getting

kicked out for a mixer. Team Gun Show went to the bars together, but then somehow ended up at a freshman party. And

by freshman party I mean it was as freshman as you could get. The boys were all in the kitchen discussing politics and

girls were dancing in the living room to a legit DJ. I started dancing near the chicks when my team captain came up with

the great idea for me to take my shirt off. I listened to my captain and before I knew it all of Team Gun Show had their

shirts off. I then commenced chatting up some 18 year old co-ed. She was a young, undecided freshman who just needed

some guidance, and let me tell you, as an experienced Junior, I was there to provide. We were about to part ways when she

kissed me on the cheek. I smoothly said “C’mon how about little more then that.” We then made out for approximately 3

seconds, and as I pulled my head back, I pointed my finger at Tubbs and yelled “Points!” There was one mission this night,

and it was to win the scavenger hunt...whatever it took.

I yelled “Team Gun Show out!” and we headed back to the bars, where I ordered a “tidalwave shot” for two very attractive

girls, missing the punch line of the shot, I took the water cup, and threw the water in the face of those college girls. At

which point, I yelled “Points!” and sprinted out of the bar.

Meanwhile, Iceberg countered by making out with two girls. He also took his new moniker to heart and began chopping his

teeth at girls on the dance for, and handing out stiff-arms to the face along the way. Cold as Ice.

I almost had the pièce de résistance by getting with a girl, a wing on the Colgate women’s rugby team no less, but I got

denied thanks to my teammates. Love you guys! Here’s what happened, Cheese just kept talking about his wife, and how

much he loves her. The girl loved it, but hearing a guy talk about his life long commitment to a woman isn’t going to make

you want to have a one-night stand with his friend. Then, Big Mar kept complaining about his foot and how much it hurt,

granted it was double its normal size, and ManCampbell managed to turn her away by not being able to stand properly, or

put three words together, and yelling uncontrollably. Needless to say, my wingmen helped me strike out, as all good

teammates would. I’ll console myself by saying that it wasn’t my fault, when in fact I really only have myself to blame.

Upon returning out our abode, Team Gun Show realized that all was not lost though, as ManCampbell and I did find

something to hump. It just happened to be a past-out Mole and an unwilling Danimal. Things got weird...we had to erase

the video evidence.

At of the end of the day, Team Gun Show won the competition handily, and most importantly I had a lot of fun...and we’re

all still dear friends. I also learned some valuable lessons this night...freshman girls won’t respond to your texts at 3 in the

morning if you sing a song about boobs in front of them.; stiff arming a girl in the face only works if you show her you really

mean it; The Colgate police are trying to fight the major problem of underage drinking; townies don’t like to dance to

German death metal; and most importantly, scavenger hunts rule!

If this story seemed incoherent and hastily pasted together, welcome to my night. See you gents on Rookie Night.

Peace and Rage!

Cpt. Planet

Rochester Trip Mayhem

Connecticut Yankees Rucks & Mauls

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Page 6 Connecticut Yankees Rucks & Mauls

Sponsors

Thank you to all of our 2012 sponsors!

The CT Yankees are looking for additional sponsors. Want to support the CT Yankees

and rugby development in Fairfield County??

Contact info@ctyankeesrugby.org

Legend’s Corner

“Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die”

Thanks to those Legends who have come out to play with the young bucks in the early weeks

of the season. The Yankees welcome back any Yankee Legend looking to get a run in,

or enjoy the game from the sideline!

Legends, stay tuned for upcoming Yankees social events

and opportunities to reconnect with the club.

Your Business Here!!

You Just Proved

These Signs Work!!

Mark Zuckerberg

will find

something to put

here...