Chicago Blaze Rugby

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Chicago Blaze Rugby

HomeContactScheduleHistoryFacilityTeamSponsorshipStoreFossilsYouthInformationEligibilityEventsReportsLinksHomeBlaze defensive attack.Our main pitch.Lance on a break-away.Grubber with a big stick.Bryant with Craig in support.Mike reaching on a line-out.Jamie making a move.Ruben touching it down.Matty creating space.Blaze line-out.Adam making a pass.Our pitch and fieldhouse.Blaze scrum.Money with a juke.Brian and Kenya in attack.Sean Day Pavilion.Scotty making a move.Jerman on the run.Lou hitting a hole.

Match center

See you in the fall of 2010.Chicago Blaze finish #9 in the 2010 National Tournament!

Blaze brotherhood

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 currently compete in the United States Senior Men's Division II and are a member of the Midwest Rugby Union. The Blaze community is comprised of our mens side, our old boys - the Fossils, our building corporation, associated youth teams, and our fans.

Blaze information

New players welcome, no experience necessary.Practices are Tuesday and Thursday at 7 to 9 pm at the Blaze complex at 13011 W Smith Rd, Lemont, IL 60439. CLICK HERE for a map.Our bar is open on Thursdays following training and on gamedays. Food and drinks are sold at all of our home games.

Blaze top story

For the first time in history, the Blaze will be fielding two competitive sides. In the fall, 2010 the Blaze will enter a DII and DIII side in the Midwest Rugby Union, USA. CLICK HERE for the upcoming fall 2010 Chicago Blaze DII and DIII match schedules.

Blaze other news

Congratulations to the newly appointed Executive Board. CLICK HERE to for informaiton on our leadership team.CLICK HERE for sponsorship opportunities.CLICK HERE fore Blazette scoreboard fundraiser. Raised to date is $1,340.

DII team news

Upcoming events

The Chicago Blaze Family day will be on 07/31/10.Bring your family out to the pitch to enjoy a bbq, some music, and games. Bring a tent and stay the night.CLICK HERE for on-line schedule of events.

Blaze merchandise and eligibility

CLICK HERE to go to the Blaze on-line store.

All players must register with USA rugby and pay dues.

CLICK HERE to pay player dues and get CIPP'd.

DII team news

The Blaze DII side finished #9 in the 2010 National Tournament.CLICK HERE to see the 2010 fall schedule.

DIII team news

Fossil, youth, and other news

CLICK HERE to pay your Fossil dues.Cheers to the Day family for their generous donation for the Sean Day Pavilion.The global rugby family celebrates the announcement that Rugby Sevens will be included at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.Chicago Blaze featured in RugbyMag.com.The Blaze DII side finished #4 in the 2010 CARFU Cup.CLICK HERE to see the 2010 fall schedule.Contact

Contact us

New players are always welcome,

regardless of skill level or experience.

Please direct your inquiries to:

General questions

President: Erik Otten (708) 882-8323

Captain: Chris Cobb

New players

Recruiting: Brian Lubacz (630) 362-3591

lubaczghr_hotmail.com

Web-related questions

Webmaster: Bryant Scharenbroch bryantcscharenbroch_yahoo.com

On-line response center

NameEmailPhoneMessage

Find us

The Chicago Blaze Rugby Complex is located at:

13011 W Smith Road, Lemont IL 60439.

Schedule

2010 Blaze Activities

CLICK HERE for the online calendar of events for 2010 Chicago Blaze. Please contact bryantcscharenbroch_yahoo.com to add your event to the calendar. Divison II Schedule08/07 Midwest LAU Allstars in Lemont, IL08/21 Milwaukee Harlequins at home in Lemont, IL08/28 OFF09/04 OFF09/11 at Chicago Condors in Chicago, IL09/18 Bremer County at home in Lemont, IL09/25 at Southside Irish in Chicago, IL10/02 Chicago Condors at home in Lemont, IL10/09 at Northwest Woodsmen in Schaumberg, IL10/16 Southside Irish at home in Lemont, IL10/23 OFF10/31 PLAYOFFS11/06 PLAYOFFS11/13 PLAYOFFS Note: all match times are 1:00 pm unless otherwise noted. Divison III Schedule08/07 Midwest LAU Allstars in Lemont, IL08/21 Milwaukee Harlequins at home in Lemont, IL08/28 at Northwest Indiana09/04 Lincoln Park at home in Lemont, IL09/11 at Chicago Riot in Chicago, IL09/18 Manhattan Shamrocks at home in Lemont, IL09/25 at Illiana10/02 Champaign at home in Lemont, IL10/09 at Peoria Pigs in Peoria, IL10/16 at Rockford Ravens in Rockford, IL10/23 Chicago Dragons at home in Lemont, IL10/31 PLAYOFFS11/06 PLAYOFFS11/13 PLAYOFFS Note: all match times are 1:00 pm unless otherwise noted.

Fall 2010 Match Schedule

Past Seasons

Chicago Blaze 2010 Spring ScheduleChicago Blaze Fall 2009 Season ReviewHistory

History

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.Facility

Facility

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 60439Chicago Blaze Rugby ComplexField #1Locker rooms and pavilionFields #1 and #2Field #1 under lightsadvertisement spaceShowersLocker roomClubhouseClubhouse barClubhouse #2Clubhouse #3Sean Day Pavilion DedicationTeam

Blaze executive board

President: Erik Otten

Vice President: Bryant Scharenbroch

Treasurer: Staci Gambino

Match Secretary: Bill Weckstein

Secretary: Matt Kittridge

Recruiting Chair: Brian Lubacz

Social Chair: Graham Johnson

Bar Manager: Scott Smith

Blaze roster

Scott SmithBryant ScharenbrochSteve JermanBob McNeelRolf OttenKevin GarbisChuck BerraRuben FloresEric FleetKevin MurphyJoe MalikLance HouiaBill WecksteinAdam ScheidlerChris CobbMichael ZdenovecJason BrusaBrian LubaczNick GambinoJuan GranilloBrian SzwedGraham JohnsonMonroe BarnesJason MaruszakTyler VettrainoJamie LugoMike HeitzlerJeff LapkaJosh OttenRapolos DikinisErik OttenDave ZdenovecJake BackhoffNicholas FischerMike LeaksCraig ClarkPeter OttenMike StackRob WassilakMarty OttenNorm SmythWill BurkeFBIScott SchiemanMatt KittridgeChris ColonKevin KrugerCraig KoellerBrian Aleck

Francisco Alferez

Jake Backhoff

Monroe Barnes

Charles Berra

Dustin Bollinger

John Bramlet

Jason Brusa

William Burke

Roman Carney

Chris Chapman

Craig Clark

Alma Clark

Christopher Cobb

Chris Colon

Nolan Day

Adrian Dee

Rapolos Dikinis

Mike Dillon

Bryce Elliott

Nicholas Fischer

Eric Fleet

Ruben Flores

Mark Flores

Nick Gambino

Kevin Garbis

Patrick Hartigan

Mike Heitzler

Andres Hijar

Lance Houia

Steve Jerman

Graham Johnson

Nathan Kelly

Matthew Kittridge

Craig Koeller

Steven Krause

Kevin Krueger

Jeffrey Lapka

Brian Lubacz

Jaime Lugo

Quinn Macali

Joseph Malik

Rohan McKenzie

Bob McNeel

Kevin Moeggenborg

Kevin Murphy

Patrick O'Connell

Rolf Otten

Erik Otten

Tom Pazdan

Gerard Rapp

Austin Revord

Bryant Scharenbroch

Adam Scheidler

Scott Schiemann

Erin Schrimpf

Todd Skrzypek

Scott Smith

Norm Smyth

Michael Spaeth

Mike Stack

Joseph Swon

Greg Swon

Brian Szwed

Casey Thayer

Johnathan Tinsley

Tyler Vettraino

William Weckstein

Joe Wejman

David Whitney

Erik Wright

Alexander Zavala

David Zdenovec

Michael Zdenovec

Blaze building corporation

Pete Thornley

Walt Rebenson

Chris Cobb

Al Klemp

Mike Kanzler

Blaze support staff

DII Coach: Lance Houia

DIII Coach: TBA

DII Captain: Chris Cobb

DIII Captain: TBA

DII Vice-Captain: Bryant Scharenbroch

DIII Vice-Caption: TBA

Trainer: Rob Wassalik

Sponsorship

Blaze sponsorship

We offer multiple levels of sponsorship:Our sponsors can advertise on: website, gameday program, billboards, jerseys, etc. We currently off the following sponsorship packages:$1000 center fold on 2010 program and 1-yr link on www.chicagoblazerugby.com$750 cover of 2010 program and 1-yr link on www.chicagoblazerugby.com$500 full page on 2010 program and 1-yr link on www.chicagoblazerugby.com$250 ½ page on 2010 program$250 Plague on Blaze Shelter, displayed forever$250 1-yr link on www.chicagoblazerugby.com$125 ¼ page on 2010 program$75 business card (1/8 page) on 2010 program Other options are available. Please contact Bryant Scharenbroch at bryantcscharenbroch_yahoo.com if you are interested in sponsoring the Chicago Blaze Rugby Club. Click here for sponsorship information for our gameday program.Blaze 2009-2010 Sponsorship Program

Current sponsors

Thank you to our current sponsors.

Store

Patches

Chicago Blaze patches are available for $8 each. Please use this paypal link or contact Bryant Scharenbroch at bryantcscharenbroch_yahoo.com to purchase.They are iron-on and mandatory for your blazer for anyone on the the 22.Other items such as warm-ups, ties, t-shirts, shorts, socks, etc. are coming soon.Buy Now$8 per patch

Blaze Spiritwear

The Chicago Blaze Spiritwear store is open.Purchase all your Blaze gear, such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, blankets, coffee mugs, etc.CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE STORE.

2010 Playoff Travel Fundraiser

We have set a goal of $5,000 to help offset costs for players for the 2010 playoff run. The 2010 national tournament will be held in Glendale, CO and will be a substantial cost for these non-professional athletes. We need your help.Details on specific fundraising events are coming soon. Contact Bryant Scharenbroch at bryantscharenbroch_yahoo.com for details.Goal: $5,000 Raised to date: $1,875Buy NowDonate $500Buy NowDonate $25Buy NowDonate $1000Buy NowDonate $50Buy NowDonate $2500Buy NowDonate $100Buy NowDonate $5000Buy NowDonate $250

Blazettes Scoreboard Fundraiser

Thanks to the Blaze Family members that donated money for the scoreboard and the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. The party raised $971, after costs. Thanks goes to the Jermans for hosting the party and sacrificing their carpet for the betterment of Thornley Fields. Thank you for the Blaze girlfriends and wifes for putting on the fundraiser, bringing food, and organizing a great time. We are off to a great start on raising the funds needed for an electronic scoreboard but have not reached the finish line yet. Goal $1,500 Raised to date: $1,340Buy NowDonate $25Buy NowDonate $50Buy NowDonate $100Buy NowDonate $250Fossils

Fossils

The Fossils are the established old boys team of the Chicago Blaze Rugby Club. The team is open to any ex-Blaze player over the age of 35. We also welcome any Old Boys new to the area to join us.True to Old Boys style, we do not train, we just show up on game day (hopefully before kickoff), scrape the crusted dirt and mud off the boots, wash the cobwebs out of the mouth guard, assemble a starting 15, run some out-dated plays that used to work in our prime and were ready to go.Old Boys games can range anywhere from 15-30 minute halves and one of the best features is the unlimited substitutions. So whatever your age or your physical ability, you can always get a run, whether its for 5 minutes or the full game.The Fossils try to maintain a two game spring and a two game autumn schedule usually to coincide with the Blaze schedule. We have annual dues of $100 which includes new Fossil memorabilia for that year. The balance goes to the club to help out with annual expenses.Of course the best part of being a Fossil is the continuation of the friendships weve made in the past and the new friends of the future. Theres camaraderie of a sport that has no borders. Last, but of course not least, win or loose, theres nothing like having a beer with your mates after walking, limping or even being carried off the field. Ill drink to that and I hope you will too.For more info on playing for the Fossils contact Norm Smyth at 708-308-8997 or normsmyth_yahoo.comYouth

Junior rugby

Naperville youth rugby is open to boys in 6th through 8th grade. We register through the Naperville Park District, winter and spring programs. The outdoor season runs from April to May. We also hold indoor rugby clinics from November through March at various dates and times.The team is coached by three Fossils: Graeme Jackson, John Bramlet and Dave Rosenberg.Contact Graeme Jackson for more information at 630-904 8992 or nzgraeme_yahoo.com See napervilleparks.org for registration.

High school rugby

Waubonsie Valley Warriors 2009 Illinois State High School Champions.Bob McNeelEmail: rsmcneel_yahoo.comCell # 630-674-9067Head CoachBryce ElliottEamil: KiwiNZ8_yahoo.comCell# 630-854-1050Assistant coach

Information

Information

Guide to RugbyChicago Blaze BylawsInternational Rugby Board Laws 2008Eligibility

Blaze dues

All Chicago Blaze members must pay dues. Please use the PayPal link below, or pay Bryant Scharenbroch. All dues and current CIPP registration for the Fall 2010 season must be paid in full by 09/01/10. If you need a payment plan you will need to contact our treasurer, Staci Gambino 630-674-8232 prior to 09/01/10 for payment arrangements.$100 per season for student or active military$100 per season for new member$200 per season for returning member$100 per season for fossilBuy NowBuy NowBuy NowBuy Now

Blaze registration

All active Blaze players must be registered through USA Rugby.

Please click on link below to completed CIPP registration.

Events

Blaze Family Day

Why: To honor and recognize our families and fans for their sacrifices and support over the last year, and to ring in the upcoming 2010 fall season. What: Family Day at the pitch.The fee is $10.00 per adult, kids ages 0-10 are free, $5.00 for ages 10 to 18. Fees will cover the costs for food (hamburgers, brats, corn, salads, etc.) and a keg of beer. The bar will also be open. We will have a variety of games for kids. The Blazettes will be running carnival games for the kids with prizes. Adult games will be available. DJ Norm will be jamming tunes. A bonfire will be roaring for roasting marshmellows and weiners. Please bring your tent and camp out for the night on pitch. When: Saturday, July 31 at noon until August 1, 2010 at noon.Where: Chicago Blaze Rugby Complex - Clubhouse; 13011 W. Smith Road, Lemont, IL 60439

Blaze Firehouse 7s Rugby Tournament

Midwest Men's Sevens Series Qualifier on June 19, 2010Divisions: Men's open, Women's open, Boys under 20 and Girls under 20.U20 Boys and Girls - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and Qualifier, Men's and Women's - 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Social following final matches.A portion of proceeds from this event will go to the Illinois Firefighter's memorial.Please direct inquiries to Bill Weckstein 630-857-6402 or bweckstein_aol.com Chicago Blaze Rugby Clubhouse 13011 W. Smith Road, Lemont, IL 60439 Midwest Qualifier Midwest Qualifier Team Registration - $275Men's Open Team Registration - $225 - FULLWomen's Open Team Registration - $200U20 Boy's and Girl's Team Registration - $200Women's Open U20 Boys and GirlsFirehouse 7s RegistrationFirehouse 7s FlyerReports

Blaze match reports

Chicago Blaze Fall 2009 Match Reports

Blaze match photos

Chicago Blaze match photos have been moved to our Shutterfly site. CLCK HERE to see photos.

Links

USA rugby

Chicago Area Rugby UnionMidwest UnionUSA Rubgy

Midwest DII West

Bremer CountyChicago CondorsClinton Muddy RiverDes MoinesEastside BansheesLincoln ParkMilwaukee Black & WhiteNorthwest WoodsmenSouthside IrishWisconsinScores

Rugby links

ESPNRugbymag.comPlanet rugby

Sponsors

Social networks

Youth rugby

WVRFCHigh School

Please direct website related inquiries to: bryantcscharenbroch_yahoo.com