Education and rugby

Tomorrow, October 1, 2022, at the annual alumni rugby game (of which I hear there will be no alumni game) The first Jim Cunningham Spirit Award will be given out. I am so proud, and Jim would have been over-the-moon happy about this honor! His two loves in life, besides his family, of course, were rugby and education. Knowing this, the day after his death five fellow ruggers had a Zoom call and put together the beginning of this scholarship to show their love for him.

Jim and Vince Powers, RJ Neary, Scott Carlson and Mike McHugh put their minds to it and conceived of the plan and immediately put it into action. Vince announced it at Jim’s memorial service and friends from all over the globe began donating. It has been thrilling to watch it grow from a really thoughtful idea to a fully funded scholarship at the University of Nebraska Foundation. I hope those five men are really proud of what they have done!

I am.

Tomorrow I am going to thank them in front of the assembled multitudes as I am asked to give out the award. I may write okay, but I am not a public speaker. Not by a long shot! If I were this is what I would like to say:

” I would like to thank everyone for being here to witness this first scholarship being handed out. His brothers and sisters Tim, Patty, Paul, Jeannie and Mary, who is with us in spirit from Georgia! I would like to thank Mike McHugh, Scott Carlson, RJ Neary, Jim Powers and Vince Powers for conceiving of the scholarship. And Vince Powers and Justin Vahle from the foundation for making it possible to give the first scholarship this year. A huge thanks to all the friends assembled here who have been so supporting to me and my kids. You are all a blessing to us.

I congratulate ___(name to be filled in tomorrow) for being the first recipient. I am very happy for you.

There are only two requirements for this award: you must be in good standing at the University of Nebraska and you must be in good standing on the rugby team. That’s it! But I would argue that being chosen by your coach or fellow players means a lot more than that! It’s an indication that you mean something to the ones who put your name forth and chose you. I can only assume that it also means that you have a real love for the game.

Some of you current ruggers are just here for something to do; release a little 20 year old energy, or have an excuse to drink beer after practice. But for many of you, like many of the (old) men you see here today, rugby will become a lifelong passion where you will make life long friends. And your wives and girlfriends will as well!

I wish that for you. I hope you travel the globe, as we have done with rugby. I hope you always pack your boots and gear just in case you pick up a match somewhere. I hope you meet new friends who share your same enjoyment of the game.

I hope someday you will be on a pitch in a far off city and are asked to fill a side for the Tasmanian Devils and you say, “Of course!” And I hope that during play the Devil’s team passes the ball to the oldest man on their team. He is ninety and wearing gold lame’ shorts! When he catches the ball the players from both teams part to make a lane for him to trot through. He does so with gusto. After a few paces he hands the ball off to a teammate. All assembled give him a big cheer! The game resumes.

I want you to have these great experiences that Jim and I have had.”

I’ll probably eek out a feeble Thank you! And let McVicker do the talking!