The Midwest Under 23’s are a select group of players with a unique characteristic in common: they are all 23 years old and younger. This is not just another junior squad, but some of the finest young talent in the game of rugby today. As the name implies, they come from all over the Midwest just to try out, some from as far as 400 miles away.
This year the trials were held in Milwaukee, a switch from the usual Chicago locale. On a hot, muggy August Friday afternoon the players assembled at Milwaukee’s lakefront, each filled with high hopes and nervous anticipation. Some came from as far away as Ann Arbor, Minneapolis, Detroit, or Indianapolis, others from as close as Racine, Chicago or the westside of Milwaukee—all with the same goal in mind, to become a select side player.
The pitch was a rainbow of different color jerseys. Some just wore t-shirts because of the heat. A few ruggers warmed up and stretched, others tossed a ball around, still others just sat in the shade and tried to keep cool. Then the coaches arrived and everyone knew the trials had begun.
Day 1 – Skills
Few players were prepared for what was to follow. After a short introduction talk started a grueling three-hour practice, mainly comprised of drills and running to test the speed, coordination, agility and overall fitness of the participants. When the sun finally set, there were 45 weary ruggers heading up to a local watering hole on Brady Street for an informal team meeting. Few stayed very late, their bodies drenched with sweat and aching for rest.
Day 2 – Scrimmage
Saturday was no different, worse in fact. Stiff and sleepless bodies ambled down to the practice area at the Polo fields. Many couldn’t sleep because of anxiety, some because of pain. Now would come the big test — actual game situations and later a live scrimmage. Friday night was just a prelude of what was to come. At 9:00 a.m. the trials resumed.
During the next three and a half hours these brave warriors were put to grueling tests. A competitive spirit filled the air, yet the sense of camaraderie between players, all going through the same hell, was inspiring. Nobody wished to see anyone else do poorly. Friendships were started with nothing more than a first name or the color of a jersey. There was little time for more. The time passed slowly. Every aching muscle in their bodies screamed for rest and then it came—12:30 p.m. They had made it! LUNCH!!
An hour was barely enough time, it seemed, to take the boots off and wipe the sweat from one’s brow. Never had an hour passed so quickly. Most ate only a small hamburger or a couple of pieces of fruit along with copious amounts of liquids. Some ate nothing at all, knowing it would be a waste of time putting anything down their throats. At 1:30 p.m. the scrimmages began. Now you would show them what you could do in a game.
Sides were selected at random, filling people in by position. It was rare to play next to anyone you had practiced with. The searing sun beat down mercilessly as sweat poured off the four dozen sunburnt bodies. The coaches switched the sides in and out, alternating players so everyone was given an equal chance to play with everyone else. Five fifteen-minute scrimmages later, it was over. The trials had ended. There was nothing left to do but select the side. The coaches had a tough job ahead of them. They would take all night and announce the team on Sunday morning, an hour before the match against the Wisconsin Select B-Side. It was the ultimate torture.
Day 3 – The Big Match
The next morning came and stiffness had become second nature to most of the ruggers. They had all gone through one of the toughest weekends they’ll ever encounter. There would be no losers this weekend. Each would return to his respective club with new skills to share. They had learned more in one weekend than most players learn in a season. Through the tremendous coaching these young players had learned things that take most ruggers years to master.
The moment had arrived. The names were read off by position. Fifteen exhausted faces turned to elation as each successive name was read. These fifteen had earned the respect and admiration of not only the coaches, but players alike. They would represent the entire Midwest. Now they would band together and play with guys with whom they had formerly played against at the club level.
And they would play against the finest opponents — today the Wisconsin Select B-Side and, three weeks later, an international match against the touring side from Terenure College Rugby Football Club from Dublin, Ireland. Both matches would be exciting and hard fought, the Under 23’s mounting quick and sizeable leads only to watch them slip away to the more experienced opponents. Yet the game was the important factor, not the final outcome. Their pride still remains high.
For a few, it was the first and the last time they would play for the Under 23’s because of their ages. Others, like those who had not been selected, would return again next year to try again. For those who had made it, some would use this experience to become A-side players for their own clubs. For others it would be a stepping stone to other select side teams. For these fifteen it was an experience they would not soon forget.
They were the best, the pride of the Midwest… the Under 23’s.
Jeff Friedrich
1981 Captain
Midwest Under 23’s
