OBRFC Dinner - Saturday 1st May

Congratulations on your Florida successes!    Now the Old Blue have 2 weeks to be ready to take the pitch and do what Old Blue does: WIN.

And with this announcement OB has over two months to plan for the great time of our annual gathering that is the OBRF Dinner!

Below is a brief profile of the Old Blue 2010 Foundation Hall of Fame Honorees. The OBRF also is acknowledging the 1993 OBRFC 7s Team - they were the US 7s National Champions and brought the OBRFC their first ever National Championship honors.

Following that are the details for the Reunion/Fundraising Dinner. Check it out for facts on the events and on how to pay.

The Dinner is the evening of your final regular season Super League match at home vs Charlotte and the D-I match vs White Plains. It is on May 1st.

OBRF Friday Night Before The Awards Cocktail Party: Thanks tot he extraordinary generosity of OBRFC Founder Bill Campbell, a gathering for drinks and food again will be held at Hurley's

That is just over two months from now. The ticket cost for players and Coaches is $125.00 (Any and all guests are $185.) This cost has been heavily subsidized by your Super Blue old boys through the Foundation for those who commit to this annual OB family gathering by April 2nd.

Please reply to this email, ok?: Ie, Reply to me on your attendance as soon as possible with your commitment.  It makes a huge difference in my work on this event, and ultimately upon its success on your behalf.

DEADLINE FOR DISCOUNTED PRICE: We would like your reply, ideally, immediately in order to help us plan with the venue; but please do so no later than APRIL 2nd - which is over a month from now - if you reply later than this date, the cost for your player/coach ticket will be $150.00  So do not procrastinate on this. The old boys across the US and the world give a great deal to enable you to enjoy the  highest level of competition in the US rugby and the opportunity to carry on the tradition of  the OBRFC, and this event is the largest and most grand occasion for you who wear the jersey and for those OBs who preceded you to socialize and to create and renew friendships.

RESERVATION COMMITMENT:  Upon receipt of your commitment to attend, we on your behalf commit to the venue; and the Foundation is committed to pay the full cost of the Dinner for you. ALL OBs - from Founders to Old Boys to YOU as players who commit to us to attend - are responsible to reimburse the OB Foundation for your ticket price.

Doesn't matter if you get sick, get lost, get drunk and forget to attend, get amnesia, decide that you have better things to do, get seriously injured in the games (as most of us have over 5 decades) or elsewhere, are detained by the authorities or by acts of God, die or are otherwise unable to attend: you owe and you must pay because OB has paid for you.

There remain a very few guys (in contrast to the vast majority of their teammates and old boys) who to date still owe for past Dinners.

(I don't know what bars are charging for beers and drinks these days or what the average weekly alcohol consumption of the average OB player is today, but one gathers that the Dinner-Beers conversion rate per week over 8-9 weeks ain't gonna cause acute dehydration or prevent monthly/weekly/daily complete, dissolute inebriation in anyone, should that be requisite for their day to day happiness and contentment.)

You gotta come - this event is the vehicle by which the funds are pledged which facilitate the very play that you enjoy this spring - it is for you; and we love to have you there and want to share this great evening with you as the culminating event of what we yearly dearly anticipate will be a highly successful season of which you and we can be most proud. And we look forward to supporting you in the playoffs that follow.

Cheers
Rich Coppo


2010 OBRF HALL OF FAME HONOREES:

Robert Klingensmith (Columbia College'66)
Tough, compact, first-generation Old Blue hooker notable for concussive tackles with audible impacts – if you heard the hit, it was usually “Klinger”. OB Captain, Fall 1969. Led OB to 11-0-1 season. OB ERU Champions, Spring’68. OB (1967-74), final match for OB 7-1 SoCal Tour (Feb’85). Also played on two other undefeated OB A sides: Fall’68 (9-0-1) - during unbeaten streak of 21 domestic matches (two ties), and Spr’73 regular season (13-0). On OB sides that beat Bermuda All-Stars, Toronto Nomads, Llandaff (Wales), London Irish, London Saracens. Beat Richmond of London (as a Met Union Select). Commonwealth Cup Championships, ’68 & ’69, Cherry Blossom Champions (’68,’71). Phyrst Cup Champions (’69 - captain,’73). Two Bahamas/Jamaica tours. OB Selector (’70/71). Columbia rugby (Spr’63-66). US Army Reserves (1968-74), medical unit OR specialist. In the midst of work, grad school and military service, “Old Blue gave me the physical, competitive and emotional outlets that I needed to stabilize my life.” Columbia football (’62-65, Jr/Sr letters). Western PA schoolboy Alle-Kiski Valley All-Star halfback. Natrona Hts (PA) pitcher/rightfield, first ever Senior Little League World series Championship team (’61). Brother Rick, Temple, Palmer (IA) & OB rugby. Columbia College (’66) BA. CCNY Bernard Baruch School of Business (’66-69) MBA Marketing. Paramount's (’74-94) Director of New Ventures, founded Home Entertainment Division (’80), its first President (’86). Ran Paramount Video. Formed Lead Dog Enterprises. Currently President/CEO of Prolebrity, Inc. Crowned his captaincy of an undefeated OB that provided his “proudest moments with the Old Blue” with his marriage to Nancy in December’70, with a stint of active military duty in between. They have two sons, Jed, 33, and Adam, 31.

Russell Isaac
Athletic, perennial Select Side OB Lock, 1983-86.  Especially effective in the lineouts. In his first year with OB was Best Newcomer on undefeated regular-season A side (Spring), then won Can-Am Championship and competed in historic OB victory over the Eastern Rugby Union territorial side (Sep’83). The OB 1st XV went 106-16-2 in his tenure. Won Cherry Blossom Tournament (’84) Porter Cup (’85), a second Can-Am (’85). In 1986, won OB’s 8th ERU Championship, reached US Men’s Club Finals and was a club Selector. Met NY Union Select 1980-86. Eastern Rockies (’86-91). ERU 1983-86 & West RFU ’86-91. Beat Japan (ERU ’86). USA Eagles XVs 1989 (vs Canada & Argentina, on first US RWC Qualifying Tour). US Final Fours (’87-90) with Denver Barbarians (’86-92; US Champions ’90, Outstanding Player Award). Schoolboy (MA) football, basketball, golf. Amherst College (’79), Amherst football, NFL NY Jets preseason (’79). Amherst rugby (’75-79), first NERFU Collegiate Champs (’79); Denver Harlequins (’79); NYAC (’80-82); LA Exiles (’80-83). Classic Eagles at Bermuda World Rugby Classic (’90, 91, 93) and vs Classic All Blacks (’92). A self-described “Serial entrepreneur & ski bum (720 days of skiing in 12 winters in Colorado (’86-97)!)”, still water skis 7 days a week summers. Special Olympics Volunteer. For all of the achievements in 1983 with OB that launched his signal rugby career, the year’s highlight was to be his marriage to Lori. They have 15-year old athletic triplets: Jenni, Lindsay and Justin. Career in advertising (’80-86) in NYC (Y&R, NW Ayer, Backer & Spielvogel), Founded marketing/promotions firm Immediate Results, Inc. (’86-94). Founded Investment Advisory Network (’93-05), a managed account platform. Currently an independent marketing consultant.

James Walier
Skilled, premier OB Center/Wing who played first side in 15s and 7s for entire OB career. Durable All Star XVs, a fixture in the OB backline throughout his lengthy tenure (1989-98). Elite 7s All Star, member of OB’s first US 7s Champions (’93). In 1993, OB Captain who led OB to championships in the inaugural NARL, the 20th Saranac Can-Am, Northeast Men’s Clubs and to US Elite 8. In ’93 also won OB 7s, Bethlehem 7s, Rockaway 7s, Cape Fear 7s and Hibernian 7s. In OB XVs, Champions: Saranac Can-Am (’91), Met Union (’90-94), ERU Northeast (’90, ‘92-94), NRU (’95-97), Sweet 16 (’90, ’92-98), US Elite 8 (’92-98), Harp SL Eastern Conference (’97-98). In both Men’s Club and SL Finals same season, twice (’97 & ’98, only US club to do so). Won OB record 20 consecutive matches ('91). Punta del Este 7s (’94, beat Chile). OB Met Union Rep (’91, ’93), Selector (’92). Rookie Back (‘89), MVP Back (’93).  US Jr Eagles (’88). XVs: ERU U-23 (’85-88), ERU (Ireland ’88), ERU U-25 (’89-90, US Champions ’90), Rugby East ’91 & ’93 (vs Scotland ’91, NASC Champs ’91). Rugby East 7s (’94, NASC Champs ’95). Met Union XVs. Upstate NY XVs. Atlantis (Fiji’96, Cuba’00). Schoolboy football & swimming. SUNY-Buffalo (1983-87) (Upstate Collegiate Champs ’86-87, Captain’87). Graduated 1988, BS Electrical/ Computer Engineering - Mathematics minor. Buffalo Old Boys RFC (’88), Philly-Whitemarsh (’99-00, US 7s Champs ’99). One of 9 ruggers in Walier family, including four OBs: Matt, Joe, Paul & in-law Joe. Made ’91 record-setting OB season perfect by marrying true-Old Blue devotee SallyAnn, who was on OB sideline more than most OB players, often joined by avid OB fan, sister in-law, the late Margaret Walier Seeliger. They have four children, Mitchell, Steven, Mark, and Katrina. Currently is East Region Manager at EMC, a hardware storage firm.

Thomas Brewer
Gifted OB flanker/#8 (1992-97) who exemplified the OB back rows in the 90s: physically imposing presence, a big forward with outstanding rugby skills and speed. In 1993 captained the OB 7s to the club’s first-ever National Championship after winning five 7s tourneys, including the Cape Fear 7s. Eagles 7s (’92-95): Hong Kong 7s (’92, ’94-95, Plate Final ’94), in ’93 (Australia & Fiji), Punta del Este 7s, Uruguay (’94). 1993 Eagles RWC 7s squad, DNP injury. Rugby-East 7s: (’89-95), NASC 7s Champs (’92, ’95 - MVP). Atlantis (Fiji ’96, Cuba ’00); US Cougars (Melrose 7s, ’92). Won Met NY and Northeast XVs Championships every year he played. Outstanding OB Forward (Spr’93). OB Fundraising Chair.  In OB XVs, inaugural NARL, five consecutive Sweet 16s, four Elite Eights, inaugural Harp SL Eastern Conference Champs (’97), Finals of both US Club and inaugural SL Championship (’97). NERFU U-23 (’87). ERU U-23 (’87-88). Eagles B (’90 -captained win vs NZ U-23s). Met NY (’88-97), ERU (’89-94, NASC XVs Champs ’90). Eagles XVs ’91 RWC pool. West Hartford Yahoos (’84), UCONN (’84-86), Hartford Wanderers (’87, ’92), Morris (NJ) (’88), Union (NJ) (’89-92). UCONN (BS Mathematics, (’86), rugby, basketball & baseball). Joined OB via select-play teammates “…Ed Simpson, Bill Russell & Dan Kennedy. Despite them I decided to play with OB anyway!” Currently a Sr. Sales Director for Coupons, Inc, a privately held marketing services company. Five siblings: rugger brothers Stephen (St. Anselm’s, Morris RFC-captain), Eddie (ESCU, Hartford Wanderers), and sisters Patty, Maribeth & Alison. Even beyond leading OB to a storybook rugby 7s national title in his hometown Hartford, the crowning moment of 1993 was his marriage to Paige, a loyal OB sideline presence home and away. They have two children, Kellen (10) and Quinn (9).

OBRF 9th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Dinner

Host: Old Blue Foundation
Location: The Racquet & Tennis Club 370 Park Avenue (between 52nd and 53rd Streets) New York, NY US
When: Saturday, May 1, 6:30PM    
Phone: 212-753-9700

6:30 - 7:45pm - Open Bar
7:45 - Midnight - Dinner, Awards, Dancing

PLEASE REPLY BY FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2010*
*AD MATERIALS MUST BE IN BY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010

2010 OBRF Hall of Fame Inductees
Robert Klingensmith
Russell Isaac
James Walier
Thomas Brewer

2010 OBRF Dinner - Team of Honor:
1993 ORFC US 7s Champions,
1st OB National Championship

Ticket Prices (per person)
By Friday April 2nd vs. After April 2nd
Old Boys = $185 vs $210
Current Players/Coaches = $125 vs $150
All Guests = $185 vs $210

DINNER PROGRAM INSERTIONS
Signature Page = $ 225
1/8 Page = $ 375
1/4 Page = $ 500
1/2 Page = $1000
Full Page = $2500

LEVELS OF SUPPORT:
(Full Details available from Dinner Committee Contacts)
Platinum Ball: $25,000 - Table + Program Page +
Gold Ball: $10,000 - 6 Seats + Program Page +
Silver Ball: $ 5,000 - 4 Seats + Program Page +
Mercury Ball: $ 2,500 - 2 Seats + Program Page +
Benefactor: $ 1,000 - 2 Seats + 1/2 Program Page
Sponsor: $ 500 - 2 Seats + 1/4 Program Page
Donor: $ 400 - 2 Seats + Signature Page

PREFERRED PAYMENT METHOD:
BY CHECK:
Made out to 'Old Blue Rugby Foundation, Inc.'
(Please include a note on nature of payment: eg, Type of
Program Ad, Specific Support Level, Full Names of guests, etc)
Mail to:
Old Blue Rugby Foundation Inc
PO Box 892
New York, NY 10021-0002

ALTERNATE PAYMENT OPTION:
Via PayPal at the Paypal website.
Click 'Send Money' tab.
Enter ' This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ' as Recipient.

BUSINESS ATTIRE - BLACK TIE OPTIONAL

PARKING SPECIAL at Parklex Garage - Entrance on 52nd Street between Park & Lexington Avenues
($15 for the evening, after 6PM. With Paper Invitation for Validation)

NEED MORE INFO?
CONTACT 2010 DINNER COMMITTEE:

Ed Malmstrom:
W: 212-449-0628 or Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lew Fischbein:
W: 212-752-3374 or Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Dick Donelli: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Parker Bagley: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

PROGRAM - AD MATERIALS CONTACT:
Richard Coppo:
315 East 74th Street Apt #16
NY, NY 10021
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it