All the News and Events
USA 7's- Las Vegas, NV
9/6/2010
Feb. 11- 15 Coach Bayer(Boys Coach) and Coach Pearson(Girls Coach) along with their spouses attended the 2010 USA 7’s Rugby Tournament in Las Vegas. In previous 3 years, the tournament had been held in San Diego and Hyde fielded an Alumni/High School team in the Invitational portion of the tournament, making the finals in 2007 and 2008. This was the first year the tournament was held in Las Vegas and the first year Hyde did not send an alumni team.
The trip was almost cancelled as the Washington, DC area experienced an epic blizzard that shut down airports, transportation routes and cancelled most flights for several days leading up to departure. Following a marathon day before departure spent on the phone and computer trying to find a new flight, coaches and spouses showed up to the airport 6am on day of departure to go “standby” on any flight. Las Vegas “luck” must have started early because we managed to catch the first and only flight of the morning to Denver. From Denver, our luck “held out” as we were able to catch another standby flight to Vegas and arrived earlier than our original tickets! After an exhausting day of flying we had an early dinner and were “out cold” by 9pm.
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Friday morning- Coach Bayer met with Rugby Magazines reporter, Buzz Mclain and an assembly of coaches for a roundtable feature on rugby program fundraising, budgeting and general discussion for the upcoming issue of Rugby Magazine. Following the interview, Coach Bayer met up with his wife and father to visit Red Rock Canyon and do a bit of hiking. Located 12 miles outside Las Vegas, Red Rocks was absolutely one of the highlights of the trip. The scenery is incredible, overpowering and really leaves you feeling in awe of the power of our planet… the fading faux “antiquities” and sights of the Vegas strip do not even compare….gif)
Unfortunately, Coach Pearson and his fiancée Kelly were unable to make the hike as they were still waiting on their luggage that United had not been able to locate! Following the end of the hike, we were all able to meet up and catch a few of the 7’s and 15’s rugby matches at the Las Vegas Invitational. Cal were as impressive as ever and the Samurai team (English professional) were clinical in dismantling their Fijian opponent.
Saturday/Sunday- RUGBY DAY! The crowd was an electric mix of cultures, colors and creeds cheering for their home countries, urging them onto victory and unified in their support of the game of rugby. Kenyans, thousands strong singing and chanting in unison, Fijians singing in harmony songs from home, Samoa deep in numbers and strong in their support, pockets of sunburnt pink English, Scottish, and Welsh fans were urging their teams on.
We had the pleasure of sitting with a rowdy crowd of English and Welsh both days and enjoyed the good natured back and forth banter as our teams won and lost. The USA finally played to their potential and went on to win the Bowl Championships with victories over Canada, Guyana, Argentina and France. Samoa won over New Zealand in the Cup Championship and were promptly joined by their supporters on their field in an impromptu celebration. It was an amazing weekend and plans are already being made to be back in 2011. It was a wonderful trip and though I prefer the San Diego location, Vegas turned out to a great host city who really rolled out the red carpet for the weekend. I am looking forward to 2011 and possibly the return of a Hyde team in the event.
(Kells MacDonald, Ernest Pearson, Curt Bayer(Coach Bayer's Dad) Tori Bayer and Tal Bayer)
