The Chicago Blaze Rugby Club is a brotherhood with committment to excellence. We are one of the few United States teams with its own facilities. We compete in the United States Senior Men's Divisions I and III and are a member of the Midwest Rugby Union.The Blaze community is comprised of our mens sides, our old boys - the Fossils, our building corporation, associated youth teams, and our fans.
New players are always welcome and practices are open to all. No experience is required.
We practice Tuesday and Thursday, 7 to 9 pm at the Blaze Facility, located at 13011 W. Smith Road, Lemont, IL 60439. The Blaze Bar is open to the public on Thursday evenings following training and Saturdays during home games. Please bring cash, we do not accept credit cards.
CLICK HERE for directions to the Blaze Facility.
3rd Annual Chicago Blaze Texas Hold'em and Fish Fry:
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Lemont VFW - Post #5819
15780 New Avenue
Lemont, IL 60439
Fish Fry from 5-9 pm ($10 all you can eat)
Poker starts at 7 pm (25 buy-in with optional re-buys)
The event is open to all. Beer and liquor will be on sale.
Congratulations Chucky Berra,
2011 Recipent of the Cheryl Lapka Award
CLICK BELOW to open the New Player Orientation.
Chicago Blaze New Player Orientation.pdf
The Blaze have launched a campaign for a NEW CLUBHOUSE. 5,000 Blaze shares at $200 each are currently for sale. CLICK HERE for details.
CLICK HERE for the fall 2011 Chicago Blaze DI and DIII match schedules.
CLICK HERE to get your Blaze Gear.
CLICK HERE fore Blazette scoreboard fundraiser. Raised to date is $1,500.
The Blaze DIII finsihed with a 2-6 record in conference play. They finished in 5th place in the Midwest DIII Western Conference Central North League.
The Blaze DIII worked hard all season and made significant improvements.
This was the first season of rugby for many of the DIII players.
Thank you to our Blaze DIII Coach, Brian Gilmartin.
Thank you to all our fans and supporters.
Congratulations to the following award winners:
Oustanding Forward: Joel Moritz
Outstanding Back: Carl Winnicki
Keep training for next season. See you in the spring.
The Blaze DI finished 3-5 in conference play. They finished in 4th place in the Midwest Division I Western Conference.
This was the Blaze's first season in DI competition.
We finished strong with impressive wins over Metropolis and Milwaukee.
Thank you to our Blaze DI Coach, Lance Houia.
Thank you to all of our fans and supporters.
Outstanding Forward: Kevin Jones - 1
Outstanding Back: Vidal Martinez - 15
Rookie of Year: Jim Moscato - 3
Team W L Points
Chicago Blaze 2 4 10
Lincoln Park 3 3 14
Rockford Ravens 6 0 30
Chicago Dragons 0 6 0
Northwest Woodsmen 4 1 (1T) 21
Lake County Gladiators 1 5 5
Chicago Riot 4 1 (1T) 22
Chicago Blaze 3 5 17
Chicago Lions 5 3 27
Metropolis 5 3 28
Palmer 7 1 35
Milwaukee Harlequins 0 8 6
New players are always welcome,
regardless of skill level or experience.
Please direct your inquiries to:
General questions
President: Erik Otten (708) 822-8323
Captain: Brian Szwed
New players
Recruiting: Paul Lojkutz
(630) 291-6652
Web-related questions
Webmaster: Bryant Scharenbroch bryantcscharenbroch_yahoo.com
Name
Email
Phone
Message
The Chicago Blaze Rugby Complex is located at:
13011 W Smith Road, Lemont IL 60439.
Date Opponent Result Man of Match
08/20 _ Wisconsin Rugby Club (warm-up) (W) 24-21 Vidal Martinez (15)
08/27 _ Palmer (L) 14-73 Rapalos Dikinis (8)
09/01 Chicago Lions (7 pm) (L) 12-17 Scott Schiemann (2)
09/10 Chicago Griffins (non-league) (L) 5-22 Lance Houia (10)
09/17 Milwaukee Harlequins (W) 31-29 Brian Lubacz (11)
09/24 _ Metropolis (L) 27-50 Brian Szwed (9)
10/01 Palmer (L) 17-51 Jim Moscato (3)
10/08 _ Chicago Lions (L) 12-52
10/15 open
10/22 _ Milwaukee Harlequins (W) 30-10 Bryant Scharenbroch (7)
10/29 Metropolis (W) 46-32
Kickoff is 1 pm unless otherwise noted.
08/20 _ Wisconsin Rugby Club (warm-up) (W) 35-7 Adam Smith (15)
08/27 _ Palmer (L) 32-12 Erik Otten (2)
09/01 Chicago Lions (9 pm) (L)
09/10 _ Lincoln Park (L) 0-8
09/17 Rockford Ravens (L) 0-60
09/24 _ Chicago Dragons (W) 52-14 Chris Douglas (13)
10/01 Chicago Griffins (non-league) (L) Aaron Brubaker (12)
10/08 Northwest Woodsmen (L) 10-56
10/15 Lake County Gladiators (W) 44-10 Carl Winniciki (10)
10/22 _ Chicago Riot (L) 10-55 Jeff DeLong (5)
Since 1982, the Chicago Blaze has been playing competitive Rugby in the Chicagoland area and throughout the United States. The Chicago Blaze was formed in 1982 by merging the Windy City Nomads with the Amoco Rugby Club. The merger was consummated after a couple of beers and meetings in the basement of Pete Thornley house. The key to success was to form an entirely new club. The Blaze retained the colors Blue for Amoco and Red for Nomads. The first Blaze jerseys had the red and blue hoops. Peter Thornley, one of the founding members, was instrumental to The Blazes future by transforming an idea into reality, making the Blaze the first Rugby club in the United States of America to have a Rugby Facility.
Before this transformation the Blaze played on the forest preserve fields at 75th St and Rt 53 in Naperville for a few years, but were constantly harassed by rangers, getting fined for having cans of beer on the sideline and things of that nature. That led to the purchase, by Pete Thornley, of the 9 acre farm on Smith Rd in 1984 for $89,000, but it was six years before the opening match in 1990. In the meantime we played near Midway airport at a school on Narragansett. Today the Blaze own 15 acres of land that supports three fields, with the main pitch having lights, locker room facilities, with showers, and a clubhouse with a bar for post-match socials, parties and events. Development continues with a play area for kids, spectator stands, horseshoe pit, and an ever-improving Rugby facility.
The Blaze quickly became successful in the 80's, winning the Chicago Ball in 1986 projecting the club to its first Midwest Championship appearance. The club was crowned Champions of that tournament getting the invitation to the National Final Four. Players and supporters, totaling 67 people, traveled to Denver for the National Final Four. Unfortunately the club lost narrowly to Denver Barbos in the semi-final, drowned their sorrows then were defeated by Washington the next day. 1986 marked The Blazes first national stage appearance setting the bar for future players. Since then, the Blaze have won Midwest Division I and II Championships. The club rose to the occasion again in 1990 making it to the National Final Four Championships only to have the title; champions elude them once again. In 1996 the Blaze became the Midwest Champions and recently in 2007 the club made the National Sweet Sixteen. Today the club is working towards a National Division II Championship with goals set toward Division I competition.
The Blaze have also traveled abroad on several international tours to England (1989), Ireland (1994), Spain (1999) and New Zealand (2002), with future travel plans to Bermuda and England. The Blaze have also been host to many International sides and players alike. The Blaze welcomes all travelers from across the world.
The Chicago Blaze Rugby Complex is one of the first and finest in the United States. We are indebted to the vision of Blaze Building Corporation. Pete Thornley, one of the founding members, was particularly instrumental to the club's future by transforming an idea of a rugby complex into reality. His purchase of a 9-acre farm on Smith Rd in 1984 for $89,000. From that times it took six years and the first games were played in 1990. Today the Blaze owns 15 acres of land that supports three lighted fields, locker rooms with showers, a pavilion, and a clubhouse with a bar for post-match socials, parties and events. Development continues with a play area for kids, spectator stands, horseshoe pits, and an ever-improving Rugby Complex. The Chicago Blaze Rugby Brotherhood is indebted to the Blaze Building Corporation and we are committed to ensuring our complex remains a premier rugby venue.
The Chicago Blaze Rugby Complex is located at: 13011 W Smith Road, Lemont, IL 60439
The Chicago Blaze Rugby Club has launched a campaign to build a new state of the art clubhouse, banquet and bar facility and add a 4th pitch. Plans will also double the current parking.
The goal is to sell an additional 5,000 Chicago Blaze Shares at $200 per share to raise $1.0 M.
The Building Corporation will collect money from shares but hold cash until enough money is raised to build the new clubhouse. Once the $1.0 M is share sales is reached they will issue stocks and release the architects to complete the plans.
Tmeline:
September 2011 - fundraising
February 2012 - begin construction
October 2012 - open new clubhouse
Fundraising:
0-----------$200,000---------------------------------------------------------------$1,000,000
(raised to date) (goal)
Please see pdf file for details on the purchasing Blaze shares and the proposed Clubhouse. Please direct your inquiries to Walt Rebenson at wrebenson_comcast.net.
6.30.11 Blaze Bldg Stock Memorandum.pdf
President: Erik Otten
Vice President: Bryant Scharenbroch
Treasurer: Matt Kittridge
Match Secretary: Bill Weckstein
Secretary: Graham Johnson
Recruiting Chair: Paul Lojkutz
Social Chair: Roman Carney
Bar Manager: Scott Smith
Jake Backhoff
Pat Bailey
Alex Baro
Monroe Barnes
Matt Bartley
Will Bates
Charles Berra
Antony Blessing
John Bramlet
Aaron Brubaker
Jason Brusa
Aaron Burke
Fernando Cabedo
Roman Carney
Ryan Childers
Chris Chrencik
Craig Clark
Christopher Cobb
Paul Cureton
Jeff DeLong
Tyree Dickerson
Rapolas Dikinis
Chris Douglas
Bryce Elliott
Eric Fleet
Ruben Flores
Jeff Friends
Kevin Garbis
Marcus Green
Brian Hass
Josh Hill
Blaine Holsapple
Lance Houia
Graham Johnson
Kevin Jones
Matthew Kittridge
Matt Koch
Craig Koeller
Steven Krause
Matt Lang
Jeff Lapka
Paul Lojkutz
Brian Lubacz
Jaime Lugo
Vidal Martinez
Joel Moritz
Jim Moscato
Pat O'Looney
Rolf Otten
Erik Otten
Bryant Scharenbroch
Scott Schiemann
Adam Smith
Scott Smith
Norm Smyth
Greg Swon
Brian Szwed
Chad Wamsley
Bill Weckstein
Kellen Wiggins
DJ Williams
Carl Winnicki
Paul Wohler
David Zdenovec
Michael Zdenovec
Pete Thornley
Walt Rebenson
Chris Cobb
Al Klemp
Mike Kanzler
DI Coach:
DIII Coach:
Brian Gilmartin
Assistant Coaches:
Mark Sawacki
Chris Folland
DII Captains:
DIII Captains:
Trainer: Rob Wassalik
Chiropractor: Adam Meade
We offer multiple levels of sponsorship. Our sponsors can advertise on: website, gameday program, billboards, jerseys, etc. Other options are available. Please contact Bryant Scharenbroch at bryantcscharenbroch_yahoo.com if you are interested in sponsoring the Chicago Blaze Rugby Club. Our most popular packages are:
Program sponsorship options:
$750 for back cover of program and 1-yr link on web, $500 for full page on program and 1-yr link on web, $250 for ½ page on program, $125 for ¼ page on program, $75 for business card (1/8 page) on program, or $25 for minimum contribution Blaze supporter.
Field sponsorship options:
$250 for Pavilion Plague on blaze picnic shelter, displayed indefinitely
$500 for Field Sign lining our main pitch (4' by 8'), displayed for 3 years with option for additional 3 years ($250)
Field Sign sponsors also receive website site sponsorship
Website sponsorship option:
$250 for 1-yr link on www.chicagoblazerugby.com
Clothing sponsorship options:
$500 to $1000 for a logo on our game jerseys, shorts, polos, warm-up jackets or pants, or athletic-fit warm-up t-shirt; larger logo space for $1000.
Program Back Cover - $750
Program 1/2 Page - $250
Field Sign - $500
CHICAGO BLAZE FIELD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM.pdf
Blaze Fall 2010 ad program.pdf
Pavilion Plague - $250
The Chicago Blaze NEW Spiritwear store is open. Thank you Scrumdot.
Purchase all your Blaze gear, such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. Women's and children's items also available for purchase.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE STORE.
All CCC items are pre-payment only. Orders are placed when in quantities of 10 have been accumulated for any specific item.
Please contact Bryant Scharenbroch at bryantcscharenbroch_yahoo.com with questions or to purchase. Please see PDF for full store and sizing chart.
Note: shorts and socks are required for all active players.
BLAZE CCC KIT.pdf
