December 2020 Newsletter
Coaches Corner December 2020
With the ongoing pandemic and the suspension of rugby activities at USNA, things have quietened down on the training front. We have been busy off the field, submitting a detailed plan of utilizing gym time as a team to the Commandant, a very successful high school zoom call and planning for the Spring training and games schedule.
The Midshipmen left the Yard on Sunday December 13th following the Army v Navy football game at West Point. The current plan is for Mids to return to the Naval Academy over a six day period from January 10th - 15th and will enter a two week Restriction of Movement (ROM) period. Once completed and given the green light to return to activities, Navy Rugby will again follow the resocialization protocols of training in small pods, building up over a number of weeks before returning to full squad training.
With the recent news of a Covid-19 vaccine and commencement of vaccinations, we are very hopeful to compete in a full Spring schedule.
It has been a tough year for everyone but there is light at the end of the tunnel. We want to sincerely thank you for all your support. We hope everyone is safe and well and hope to see everyone in 2021. From all of us at Navy Rugby, we want to wish you and your families a very Happy Holiday Season.
Gavin
Navy Rugby High School Zoom Call
Director of Rugby, Gavin Hickie and Women’s Head Coach, “Murph” McCarthy hosted a live zoom call with over 40 high school students, interested in applying to the Naval Academy on Saturday December 5th. The call was incredibly successful as we walked through the admission process and discussed all things Navy Rugby. Also on the call were our men’s and women’s team captains and presidents. We had a great chat with the young ruggers and provided insight into life as rugby playing Midshipman at USNA.
Speaking about the zoom call, Director Hickie said, “we are delighted with the call and with the opportunity to chat virtually with high schoolers wishing to apply to the Naval Academy. The call provided us with a chance to meet everyone, outline the application process and to answer individual questions about life as a rugby-playing Midshipman. We will have further zoom calls with high school students and are excited about the ability to connect online with prospective Midshipmen all around the world. I would like to thank our men’s and women’s captains, Joey Hobbs and Grace Stevens and men’s president, Dallas Elliston for joining us on the call and giving everyone a detailed account of life at the Naval Academy.”
The call was recorded and was sent to everyone in the meeting as well as to those who could not make the call.
Coach Rickey Neel-Feller Interview
Rickey came to USNA as a Midshipman in 2010 from Gonzaga. He commissioned in 2014 into the Submarine community before returning to Annapolis in 2019 as 22nd Company Officer and the Commandant’s Alcohol and Drug Education Officer. Rickey is also an integral part of our women’s rugby coaching team.
What is the most enjoyable part of your current coaching role?
“Being a part of the Navy Rugby community again. My most memorable moments at the Academy all include some aspect of Navy Rugby whether it’s the people, trips, games, etc. It has been an absolute pleasure working with the Women’s side and getting to know the players. And to have things come full circle, from playing for Coach Murph to now coaching with him has been incredible. Couldn’t have asked for a better situation than this for my first coaching experience.”
What are the biggest challenges facing Navy Rugby?
“Taking the next step and consistency. These are challenges that apply to everyone in life and will especially be applicable to our Mids after graduation. Both the Men’s and Women’s sides are considered a top team in the country, but how do we take that next step to become THE top teams in the country and bring a National Championship to Annapolis.
That comes from consistency, which some argue is the hardest part of being an officer. How do I consistently maintain the standard? How do I consistently execute each game, each phase, each fundamental aspect of the game? I look forward to the challenge ahead and can’t wait for the day that one of our teams is able to call themselves National Champions.”
What are the biggest changes you have seen from your time as a player at USNA to being back now?
“There’s a lot that has changed, but so much has stayed the same. Mids are Mids and will always have the same stories. It’s great to be able to connect with them through my similar experiences as a Midshipman, such as rugby, day to day life, tavern, etc. is truly a pleasure. Yes, the rugby IQ overall is higher and the additional facilities at the BSC are noticeable changes, but I think a big reason why alumni love coming back is that so much has stayed the same and it’s still relatable to our own experiences.”
What are your most enjoyable coaching moments at Navy Rugby?
“The quarterfinals and semifinals in Poughkeepsie, NY. It was my first big road trip with the Women’s team and we had two incredible performances in the cold rain to earn a trip to play Air Force for the National Championship. All you can ask for is the chance to play for a title and they did that. For that, I am incredibly proud of all the effort that was put in through the season that got us through that weekend. Road trips help bring a team together and the grit they showed battling in those elements was incredible.”
What are your favorite memories as a Navy Rugby player?
“Well, there’s two. The first is freshmen year at CRC, we were playing Army on a Friday night in front of a crowd of 11,000. Running out of the tunnel to the entire stadium chanting “USA” immediately gave me goosebumps and it reminds how different life is at the Academy and why you’re here. The second is beating Army in my senior year at the BSC. My first three years we lost to Army by a combined 8 points. To then beat Army at home by close to 20 with 22 of my best friends at the time was one of the best feelings while at the Academy.”
Anything else you would like to add?
“To those who are still at the Naval Academy, enjoy it. It goes by quick and yes, you hate almost every minute of being at the Academy, but you will miss your best friends. The August after graduating, I was with a teammate and classmate and I couldn’t agree more when he said that he would give anything for another night in Bancroft. To those who have graduated, keep visiting and keep connected. It’s always great to get a phone call from a former teammate and the only thing better is a phone call about unexpectedly being in town. I cherish the friendships that I’ve built on the pitch because there is nothing like them.”
Class of 2021 Service Selection
Our men and women from the Class of 2021 recently learned of their Service Selection. We are so proud of them and are excited to watch them commission into the Navy and Marine Corps.
Bravo Zulu class of 2021!
Women’s Class of 2021
United States Marine Corps x 3
Surface Warfare Officer x 3
Navy Pilot x 1
Submarine x 1
Men’s Class of 2021
United States Marine Corps x 8
SEAL x 2
Submarine x 2
Surface Warfare Officer x 1
Navy Pilot x 1
Meet the Mids
This month we feature two more 1/C ruggers who came to the Naval Academy without ever playing the sport previously. MIDN Madison Jones is majoring in chemistry while MIDN Tom Irwin comes to USNA from Dickinson, ND. Both 1/C MIDN have recently found out there Service Selection.
Read their profiles here: Meet the Mids
Elegant Violence Store
Our men’s Elegant Violence Clothing Store is currently open and active. We typically raise $15,000 from the sales of these teeshirts throughout the Brigade, which goes towards the annual operating expenses of the team. This year, we are doing things a little differently with the store completely online. We have more products than usual and unlike previous years, our Elegant Violence Store will remain open year round. The link for the store can be found here: Elegant Violence Store
Director of Rugby, Gavin Hickie’s Rugby Revealed Podcast
Navy’s Director of Rugby, Gavin Hickie recently launched his Rugby Revealed podcast.
“This is my way of remaining connected to the rugby world throughout the Covid lockdown and continuing my own rugby development. I am delighted to have the opportunity to meet with and discuss all things rugby with the Major League Rugby coaches and team owners. The plan for this is to build an audience ahead of season two, which I intend to be Navy Rugby related!”
If you are interested in listening to the Rugby Revealed podcast, you can subscribe by clicking on the picture.
With You,
Gavin
