Keelhaulers Welcome Back the Alumni

(Vallejo, CA, December 13, 2008) – The Cal Maritime rugby team welcomed back 25 alumni players to the annual game against the current squad on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon on Bodnar Field.

The third annual alumni game saw more returning players than ever before and shows that more players are eager to come back to Cal Maritime to stay in touch with the rugby program.

The game is the central part of this special day that concludes with the Alumni hosted dinner for the current team.

The Cal Maritime team started strongly and scored quickly through Ramsey Brown and scored two more times during the first half through Steven Ouimet and David Vander Hoek to take a 21-0 lead before the alumni mounted a strong effort that was rewarded with a try for John Skoda just before half time.

In the second half, the Alumni scored twice through Casey Helget and Kyle Jones to bring the score back to 21-15 and looked like mounting a strong challenge to win the game. But the current team scored again by wing Kirk Mueller at the close of the game to win by 28-15.

“This is one of my favorite times of the season”, said coach Edward Roberts. “It’s a pleasure to welcome back our former players and maintain that connection with the team for all our alumni. I’m so glad they make the effort to come back and see their old friends and team-mates but most importantly that they still support Cal Maritime Rugby”.

Athletic Director Marv Christopher commented on the camaraderie of the rugby program. “The rugby team talks of being a band of brothers but the alumni support of our rugby program shows that it truly is a strong band of brothers who support each other even after they have graduated”.

Former captain, and organizing force behind the Alumni event, Erik Forsberg said “It’s fun to see my old team-mates and to play against today’s players. The alumni feel proud to have played for the team and want to keep our relationship going”.

The next game for Cal Maritime is when they host UC Santa Cruz on Jan 17, 2009 in the opening league game of the season.

Scorers

Cal Maritime

Tries: Brown, Ouimet, Vander Hoek, Mueller

Cons: Walker (3), Mueller

Alumni

Tries: Skoda, Helget, Jones