Jean,Ryan,Fig,Madge,Sal
Magnificent rugby weekend for the Virginia Cardinals at the Aspen Ruggerfest 2007. Special thanks to Bill Gardner,Mike Herron,Mike Puopolo,Skip Yeager,John Carr,Billy Wilson,and Will Thornton for all their planning and management before and during the tournament.
| Special appreciation to Howard Graham and his wife and babe, Angela, for their third year in a row all the way from England in support of the Cardinals. Howard, you are a superb leader,mate, and world class rugby player. Angela, you are an angel of mercy while attending to our dings and pulls with a fine sense of humor. |
 Angela and Howard Graham |
To Karen and the Lance Vandecastle family, Aspen Ruggerfest 2006 was Lance's last epic appearance with the Cardinals. We felt Lance around us this fine rugby weekend and his spirit urged us on. His rugby boots were left on the halfway line at Wagner Field on sunday during the hardware honors. Puopolo buried Lance's boots at the halfway line that evening at Wagner Park. Godspeed Lance,we love you.
 Denny Stoneman |
We invaded Aspen with over 90 players and three sides capturing championships in the 45 and 50 division and finalist honors in the 35 division. Noteworthy,the 50s completed the trivecta in 2007 emerging as Champions in Ft.Lauderdal,Saranac,and Aspen. This group of 50s retraces the steps taken by the 45s two years ago and includes the same core of players that swept the field two years ago. The emails below capture the essense of Cardinal Rugby. Rugby forever, Cary Kennedy
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Gents: Just want to send a huge shout of thanks out to everyone who pulled together and brought home the Championship and Finalist trophies. To perform at such a high level in any sport, especially one as physically demanding as Rugby, is a tremendous accomplishment. I am constantly amazed at how everyone pulls together and gets things done. The friendship and camaraderie in this group is incredible. When I sit back and reflect on the past performance of our club, from the dominance of the 35's in an extremely competitive field, to the 45's running the table in '05, to this past near sweep of Ruggerfest, it makes me extremely proud to wear a Cardinal crest on my chest. I hope we can all sit back and reflect upon the scope of our achievements. It is truly like catching lighting in a bottle. The skill, passion and heart of the Cardinals is unmatched. Cheers to Bill, Cary, Mike, John, Billy and all the wonderful cast of classy players, family and supporters who make this all possible. We are doing Lance real proud. Will
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From Todd Musick: To all the "Mighty Virginia Cardinals Family, It is my most gracious privilege to take the pitch with a truly time tested and dedicated Esprit De Corps of Rugby Warriors. It was a special time for me and closure for many. I will surely put myself to sleep remembering every vignette that defines an Aspen Ruggerfest. To all those with nicks and dings, a speedy recovery. Looking forward to the Cardinal's next test, |
 Phil Dorsey |
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From Billy Hayward: When Richard Morris bestowed the virtues of the team and its personnel, I took stock and listened (as you know he is a man of few words). The following weeks communicating with Will, I was so excited to actually get out and play rugby again, I thought it may be an anticlimax. Oh how wrong I was!! Everyone without exception, made myself and Donna (I think she was probably more the reason!) so welcome. After a lifetime of rugby, tours, tournaments and fellow friends they all go to inspire memories we share over many a pint for many years following. I can honestly say, for the first time in many years I actually created more memories!!! Whether it be G&T’s on a balcony overlooking the rugby pitch, threats of being skunked playing cribbage, Will’s five star ***** service…Kitchen bar and laundry room! |
 Billy Haywood |
The Cardinals are a blast. From looking out for bears from the hot tub with Darden, Hillary, Larry and Jerusha to dominating the Mountain Old Boys in the final I had a great time. Thanks to all the visitors to Condo 207 in the prospector, we enjoyed your company. Carla and Jerusha were fine providers of the pink drink that many enjoyed so special thanks to them. Finally everyone will be pleased to know elk killer managed a safe drive back to Denver without killing any innocent animals. thanks to ALL
Cary- thanks for all the management duties and coordination you have provided over the years. You are a true rugby sportsman and I enjoyed your tenure as a teammate.
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online article,courtesy geezerjock.com
A win to remember The Virginia Cardinals win the Old Boys 50+ at Aspen Ruggerfest for a lost teammate The team walked off the pitch at the Aspen Ruggerfest a year ago, beaten and bruised, vowing to return in 2007 to make amends for letting a perfect season slip away. more of the article---- |
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Thank You, Mike! |
 Mike Puopolo
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Thank you, thank you all for another great Aspen rugby tournement, we played so great and should of got all the "pottery." So great playing with so many great players, past and yes, present, I love playing, and socializing with all of you guys....great story: ran into several Denver Barbos out last night...they bumbted into me and I stated: "you guys play for the Barbos?" they stated "yeah, we're Barbos" I said, "I played with the Virginia Cardinals in Aspen" they went....."Virginia Cardinals???, You guys dominated up there"...." I said we all love playing rugby".....Lance was watching, and will always be looking over the Cardinals..... great his wife was with us....love ya guys!!!!
Bob Carswell,The Prop and Las Vegas Professional poker player
