Included this newsletter:
- BU trounces D1 Rival NU: Report by Justin Evans
- Report from the Sidelines by Alumni Mike Skiotis (BURFC 1982)
- Stories from the Sideline by Mike Scully & the Founding Fathers (1970's alumni)
BU trounces D1 Rival NU on Nickerson Field
by Coach Justin Evans
A beautiful sunny spring saw BU host a very strong Division 1 team in NorthEastern. The match meant a big step up in class against a very physically imposing side. Many Alumni were in attendance at Nickerson to support the latest crop of BU talent hoping an upset was on the cards. From the very first whistle the home side tried to take it to the Division 1 side [Full Match Report...]
Report from the Sidelines
By Alumni Mike Skiotis (BURFC 1984)
It was a beautiful sunny day at Nickerson Field and there was a crowd of over 100 in the stands including some Northeastern fans, some BU students some parents and some BU alum.
Representing the BURFC alum were legends of the 70’s (at least they said they were) Tom Bray, Mike Scully, Jack Curran, and Paul Cragin. In addition in attendance were Mike Skiotis, Ben Krikorian, John Murphy, and Steve Simmons (with his two future ruggers in tow). The legends kicked off the day with lunch at the Stockyard where they tried to get their stories straight. They enjoyed the drive through scenic Allston from the Stockyard to Nickerson pointing out all the hot spots while looking for Riley’s Roast Beef. While enjoying BU’s dominance the question was posed, why are ruggers these days not as fat as the ruggers in the old days? After pondering it a bit we came up with the conclusions that the drinking age was 18 back in the 70’s and there was no such thing as Lite Beer.
The younger four alums had a mandatory meeting at 973 Comm Ave after the first match and met up with Stevo who showed us photos he found in his drawer of the Ney York 7’s side from the mid 90’s.
The old boys in attendance suggested we pick a match each season and try to get the troops out for some story telling and supporting the BURFC
Stories from the Sideline
by Mike Scully (BURFC 1977) & the Founding Fathers (1970's alumni)
On a cold and dreary day... just kidding.
Yesterday, five players from the 1970's incarnation of the BU Rugby team rendezvou'd (made it up; it's evidently not an English word, or, at least not to be participled) at the Stockyard in Brighton to encalorie (made it up again, sounds kind of cool) prior to heading to Nickerson Field to see the Terriers play Northeastern. Present were, club co-founder Paul Cragin, Tom Bray, Jack Curran, Michael Scully and Jonnie Berk. Jonnie saved as the best for last because I (we?) hadn't seen him in over 30 years? Jonnie was the A team hooker. Dedicated, hard working and a great club brother. Never drunken nor dissolute nor unbearably degenerate in any but a very few far-from-perceivable ways usually involving the aforementioned OTHER three guys but never Michael Scully. Jon graduated from Wesleyan and then BU Law School and practices in Connecticut now. While on the club he was the eponym of the renowned "Jonnie Berk" line out play which, I think, called for legerdemain and skullduggery of the type that caused the opposition to think an old run-of-the-mill toss-in was going to occur and then a quick toss to the first man and back to the hooker would occur instead, often times causing major consternation among our adversaries and providing an atmosphere wherein we could steal their women and burn their villages.* I concede freely that my estimation of forwards was uncharitable but then, so was their enduring estimation of the backs and THIS particular back. They're animals. All of 'em, animals.
Jon Berk is and was a great guy and it melted my heart to see him. 80s, 90s and new millennium dudes, keep it up and keep in touch with your brothers. It is worth it. He that does not forget his brothers will not by his brothers be forgotten.
Missing from yesterday's burger chaw was Frank Garrison who has been reliably and faithfully present in the last few years when Cragin, Bray, Scully and Curran assembled. Those stalking the chic and in-the-know would have spied Frank in DC visiting his daughter, I believe, on his birthday or at least the day they chose to celebrate same.
BU convincingly beat NU later at Nickerson. It was great to see. Keep it coming. At the game, We five (NOT the falsetto singing group from the 60s!) saw and spoke with Mike Skiotis and it was very good to see him. Actually, Jonny had gone home, so it was the We Four. Finally, upon focusing our old peepers on the yellow-shirted referee, we realized that Jeremiah Schaffer (sp?), another 70ser, was capably officiating and performing in a razor's edged and existential role.
Thanks once again to Chris Randall for being there.
Rugby forever,
Thank you,
Michael Scully '77
The Founding Fathers of the BURFC...
Back Row, left to right: Paul Cragin, Jonathan Berk (Jonny), Hooker, A Team 73-75, Michael Scully, B & C team wonder, 74-76.
Front row, left to right: Tom Bray and Jack Curran, both Obiwans of Rugby.