Wharton Journal

Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: News

Following a spectacular 2007-2008 regular season during which the team won 17 games and lost only 1, the Wharthogs, Wharton men's rugby team, descended upon Durham, North Carolina this past weekend, determined to become the first North American team in recent memory to be crowned MBA Rugby World Champion. Coming off of an impressive fall season and brimming with self-confidence from last year's 3rd place performance, the well-drilled Hogs joined an impressive field of 22 teams including perennial international power houses London Business School (LBS) and University College-Dublin (Smurfit). With perennial rivals Harvard, Columbia, and Stanford also performing well of late, the Hogs' tournament road was sure to be a tough one.

Over the course of two days of monsoon like weather and hard fought rugby, the Wharton A side finished 3rd out of the field of 22, narrowly losing in a physical semi-final battle against LBS. While disappointed to have fallen just short of their ultimate championship goal, the Hogs left North Carolina heads held high knowing that they were the last North American MBA rugby team standing in a game traditionally dominated by their European counterparts. As player/coach Tim "Champagne Rugby" Lacey (WG'08) noted, "This team has everything to be proud of. We played great rugby, had a great time, and even scared our arch-rivals… right out of town."

Pre-Tournament Preparations

In the spirit of camaraderie, in the interest of extending international (and/or undergraduate) relations, and in order to support the development of local flora and fauna, a substantial portion of the Hogs A and B squads chose to arrive in North Carolina on Thursday. Hoping to duplicate last year's feats of (temporary) tattoo placement while avoiding the unfortunate misplacement of wedding keepsakes and Barry "This Doesn't Look Like Our Bus" Mattson (WG'08), the Hogs set right to work reinforcing cross-Atlantic relationships. Strong performances by Captain Eddie "In Your Honor" Sarian (WG'09) and Mike "A LOT" Chamberlayne (WG'09) did not go unnoticed by their impressed second year mentors. Said one '08, "I am not sure if either of them are capable of forming words much less full sentences at this point, but their perseverance is really just incredible."

After a rollicking night that culminated with the arrival of the Wildebeest women's squad to provide backup and companionship, Wharthog team members awoke on Friday with the knowledge that it was time to set their focus on the task ahead. Following an intense practice session on the Duke campus, the team and esteemed guests convened on the Farm House Restaurant, an old haunt of current Hogs president Lou "Slimfast" Marchetti. Though staff members were purportedly excited at the prospect of the star's visit, the hostess was overheard saying "That's not Lou Marchetti, he is much bigger."

Prior to the team's return to their hotel for a much needed good night's sleep, former captains Dennis "Mouth" Santare (WG'08) and Andy "Nose" Cohen (WG'08) shared some sage words for the squad in advance of the next morning's tournament kick off. Their emotional thoughts focused on hard-work were later described by first year team member Patrick "Wharton Way" Sullivan (WG'09) as… "Dennis and Andy shared some powerful words with the team, but the lack of cursing was a little disappointing."

Day 1: Saturday, April 12th

Wharton A began its day as the tournament's 3rd seed, drawing difficult pool matches against a strong Stanford squad and an always dangerous Harvard B team. Despite having defeated GSB in the finals of the Thunderbird Invitational earlier in the season, the Hogs were ready for a hard fight in its opening match. While the Hogs forward pack led by Sarian, Chris "Rosetta Stone" King-Sidney (WG'08), Chris "I'll Take Squirrels for 200 Alex" Havener (LS'08) and Anthony "Frodo" Sawtell (WG'08) quickly established its dominance over an outclassed Stanford squad, the backline barely missed several opportunities for points during the first half. Wharton finally broke through after driving a scrum into the GSB try zone with Sawtell placing the ball down to put the Hogs up 5-0 at halftime. In the second half, the Hogs superior talent broke through with brilliant runs by Brendan "Blue Steel" Dillon (WG'08) and Dean "Godsend" Topodas (ED'08). A late try by team doctor, spiritual leader, and part-time mariachi band member Ryan "Why Are The Beests All Scared of Me" Kotton (MD'09) resulted in a final score of 25-0.

Wharton's A side was far from the showing of hard-hitting Wharthog rugby, as the Wharton B side valiantly defended the Wharthog name in its three matches. Guided by the experience and skill of second-year captain Jason "Trash Bag" Scheir (WG'08), the sage wisdom of his forward-pack classmates Scott "Baby's Mama" Grueser (WG'08), Aydin "McLovin" Kadaster (WG'08), Jason "Shirt Optional" Green (WG'08) and Brodie "Don't Call Me Matthew" Ruland (WG'08), and the plucky yet inspirational stylings of flyhalf Blake "Pencil Thin" Sonnek-Schmelz (WG'08), the B side put up a solid effort against strong squads from Fuqua, Stern, and Chicago.

In their first match against tournament host Duke, the B side forwards took over the match with determined try line play. After maintaining possession of the ball within Duke's 5-meter line for what seemed like the final quarter of the match and reaching the try zone on three occasions which were all conveniently called back by the hometown referees, the Hogs were again denied as the final whistle blew. B side highlights also included powerful runs by #8 George "Bimbo" Coles (WG'09) and outside-center Omar "Big O" Blayton (WG'09) who each put the B side within its closest reach of the try zone during the tournament. Other notable tournament performances were given by David "Logistics Are My Middle Name" Chao (WG'09), Dan "Lady's Man" Scharff (WG'09), Donald "Whipped" Tucker (WG'09), and Sullivan, whose deft runs and timely backfield kicking gave a glimpse into the Hog future of next year. Though the B side was unable to claim victory over the course of the weekend, tremendous heart and passion were on full display as the mostly first year team gained solid playing experience, while providing invaluable support to the A-side's efforts for victory.

After a long delay caused by lightning, the A squad returned to the pitch versus a Harvard B team supplemented with various A side players with high hopes of an upset. Despite another slow start, the Hogs gained the upper hand following a Dillon score set up by a superb run by Co-Captain Brent "Carlton" Boyce (WG'09). Second half tries by Len "40 Year Old Virgin" Accardi (EE'08), Chris "Mormon Fury" Kemp (WG'08), Chamberlayne, and Kotton quickly put the game out of reach with a final score of 29-0.

Despite HBS and LBS receiving round of 16 byes, the Wharton A side was excited to be matched up against a Cornell squad that they had played several times over the past two years. As has been typical of previous meetings, the Hogs came out strong and quickly decided the game despite the mucky conditions. Two quick first half scores by Tim "Hollywood" Sherrod (WG'09) and another by Dillon combined with precision kicking by Joe "Elvin" Savig (WG'08), and devastating hits from Sean "Happy Hands" Plankey (ES'09) left little doubt of the game's eventual outcome. The second half featured more of the same as Dillon and Sherrod added additional scores and Jack "Half Back, Half Prop" Roe (WG'08) finished a brilliant run and pass from Chamberlayne to yield a final outcome of 40-0 in favor of Wharton A. Pitching a shutout with a 3-0 record and securely into the tournament's quarterfinals, the team's focus shifted toward the next day's matches. With a relentless focus on team, several injured Hogs, unable to contribute on the pitch, returned to the local watering holes of Chapel Hill in search of local squirrels and other flora and fauna in hopes that their mystical powers could propel the squad to victory. Their efforts were ever appreciated, if altogether unsuccessful.

Day 2: Sunday, April 12th

Our heroes arrived to the pitches on Sunday slightly sore, but excited about the games ahead. Wharton A's quarterfinal game pitted them against Stanford in a rematch of the tournament's first game the day before. Though the Hogs had won that match handily and spent much of the first half around Stanford's try line, the Hogs could only convert a penalty kick in first half. With a controversial non-try call by the referee looming over their heads and a solid run by Stanford's inside center putting them on the scoreboard first, the first half ended with GSB leading 7-3. Down but not out, the Hogs gained the lead midway through the second half on a bruising run by Captain Sarian. Strong defense by Cohen, Savig and the rest of the backline squelched several GSB scoring chances and the Hogs narrowly escaped with a 10-7 victory in what was arguably the most physical game of the tournament.

In the semifinals, Wharton A found themselves matched up against a veteran LBS team that had emerged from the first day as a tournament favorite. The Hogs came out strong, too strong according to the referee. LBS converted two long penalty kicks early and were up 6-0 at half. The Hogs battled back in the second half, trading tries with LBS. While heart was never a question, the grit and passion exhibited by the Hogs could not in the end overcome the mistake-free game and experience of the LBS side. In the end, LBS prevailed and moved onto the finals (where they would narrowly lose to defending champion Smurfit), tacking on a late try for a final score of 18-7.

Though disappointed by the premature end of their title run, a final match for 3rd place (and title as the best MBA rugby team in North America) was set between Wharton and the HBS A-side. Having split their only two meetings over the past two years, anticipation of once and for all deciding ultimate bragging rights was high. Instead of playing 40 minutes of rugby though, the HBS squad offered 40 excuses why they preferred to forfeit the chance to meet a fired up Hogs squad on the field of play. Commented one tournament official "It is shocking that a team of such rich rugby tradition as HBS would not want to decide the final outcome on the pitch. I guess that is how they do it up in Boston." Added ex-captain Santare, "Those guys didn't even stick around to share a beer with the other teams. It is one thing to be scared to play your rival for fear of losing, but it is quite another to not like beer."

Before heading for the showers and a celebratory night on the town, rugby fans of all ages were treated to an exemplary Zulu warrior impersonation by first year Chamberlayne. Despite the chilly temperature, Chamberlayne persevered, cheered on by myriad Hogs, Wildebeest and thoroughly amused onlookers. B-side co-captain Scheir presciently commented, "And we haven't even left the pitch - it is going to be a big night."

He was right. After several showers to remove the mud/sewage from their battered bodies, Hog members joined their Beest counterparts for a rollicking feast of Mexican food, margaritas and festive rugby tunes led by "El Mariachi" Kotton. With help from Sean "Spring Chicken" McCarney (MD'09), Kotton's parking lot wardrobe change was cheered by the horrified crowd who could only hope that his bedside manner was slightly different. On to the post-tournament mixer Hog members danced and sung the night away with the graduating second year's soaking in one last rugby night out. Team diplomatic relations officer Barry Mattson even extended a proverbial olive branch to several HBS players in what onlookers characterized as a beautiful exchange of "goodwill" to end the weekend. With one of the most successful rugby seasons in Wharthog history behind them, the Hogs headed back to Philadelphia heads held high, albeit it eyes a little bloodshot.

We wish to thank Coach Tim Lacey for his effort and guidance; our conditioning coaches Stuart "Tiny" Archibald, Rahim "Bebop" Lakhani, and Keith "Rock Steady" Denerstein for their commitment and patience, and the graduating second-years for their contributions and leadership both on and off the pitch over the past two years. You will all be missed dearly. Finally, we would like to thank our sponsors: Probitas, Carib Beer, Thomas H. Lee, Carlson Capital and Merrill Lynch. You make our victories possible.

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