Originally this event was supposed to be held at Lake Highlands Park in Dallas, but due to the club double booking the field (a TOLA 7’s tournament or our college trails). Well the bottom line, the college trials lost out and had to find another pitch. Tuesday morning, I spoke with our Rec Sports Director Chris Gormley and explained our situation. Like the champ that he is, Chris was able to get us a pitch for the event. Hugh thanks goes out to Chris for helping these college kids and it is greatly appreciated.
Now about the Lonestar Collegiate All Star Trials. During the past season, 5 coaches were deemed the task/honor of selecting the top nominees. 3 coaches from the north conference (myself and Darrin (SMU) and Michael (MSU), 2 coaches from the south conference (Shayne (UTSA) and Brennan (St. Edward’s) looked over each match at the opposition and selected players that might be interested in playing at a higher level. At the end of the league season, we met and discussed the nominees. Emails were sent inviting those players to our first camp.
We’re pretty excited about this trial and feel that we have 50 of the best players from the Lonestar Conference. Out of those 50 players, 30 of the best of the best will be selected and if they are interested, they will take off for a week of rugby in the Bahamas (2 games).
Representing UT Dallas is Andrew Whiteis (scrumhalf/flyhalf), Daniel Eljuri (lock/flanker/prop), Precious Osuchukwu (lock), Nicky DiCarlo (center), Eric Smith (flanker). We wish them all the best of luck this coming weekend as they meet, practice and scrimmage the other players from UD, SHSU, UTSA, St. Edward’s, SMU, MSU, Letourneau, Prairie View, ASU, Texas St.
It would be great if anyone came out to watch the trials, wear your UT Dallas Rugby t-shirts, anything that says UT Dallas and support the players all working to make the traveling squad.
The trials begin about 10:00am, with a scrimmage about 2:00pm and concluding between 4 and 5:00pm. It should be a great day for rugby and the guys will be pumped up for this competition. If you can make it to UT Dallas, field 6, great. If not, I’ll post something next week and keep everyone up to date with the goings on.