The 11th Annual Founder's Cup

Saturday Sept 39th, the Brookfield Bruisers and Catholic Memorial High School will meet for the 11th Founder's Cup Match in the storied history of the two venerable rugby teams.

The history of the FC is well-documented in the annals of this publication and can be viewed here.

Suffice it to say, the FC has been a long, but more importantly, a friendly rivalry.  With players and coaches who are neighbors and friends on and off the field, the FC embodies the spirit of rugby camaraderie.  The Pewter Cup was first contested on Aug 30th, 2008.  It has since been on the sideline for many memorable matches ... the first night game under the lights of Brookfield Central High School's football stadium on a cold spring night, at the championship match of the Division ii Midwest Championships in 2011, on the rolling hills of the Waukesha Scottish Highland Games with the bagpipes calling in the background, and on what looks to be a perfect, crisp Fall Wisconsin morning at Naga-Waukee Park. 

The rivalry has even survived the Mr Pig incident of 2009.  Allegedly, the stuffed animal of a senior try-scoring machine for the Bruisers was kidnapped and threatening text messages were received.

WGR officials were never able to definatively prove the origin of the transmissions or find any evidence of wrongdoing on the part of CMH.  The Chanen Commission quietly buried their committee report of the incident and any mention of a subsequent libel and slander suit that was later dismissed with prejudice.  The case remains unsolved and in the "cold case" files of WGR's department of public safety and mascot welfare.  A small reward is still being offered by Mr Pig's estate for any information leading to the discovery of his whereabouts  ... or his remains.

Founders Cup Pictures

Some great pictures from the best and most competitive Founders Cup Match to date. It was a physical and skilled battle by two outstanding programs.

The Founder's Cup is a traveling silver trophy passed on to the victor anytime CMHS and Brookfield meet. The head coaches of Brookfield and CMH at the time were the 'founding' coaches of the first girls team in the state of Wisconsin. Finding themselves on opposite sides after starting new programs and teaching the game to other kids years later, 'The Cup' was initiated to add a little fun and tradition whenever two old friends met on the field on opposite sides.

The Cup has remained with these two programs as coaches continue to move, and the tradition has come to be represent healthy competition among young adults from two cross-town competitors. Defeats can always challenge one's emotions. The exchange of 'The Cup' after the matches is one of the more memorable moments of a season. Not because one side or the other rejoices over a vanquished foe, like you might see with trash-talking pro athletes on T.V. Rather, because as captains, players, and coaches meet eye to eye after expending all their heart and sweat, it tests the grace and good sportsmanship of those on both sides, and reminds us of what it feels like to be on either side of that hand shake.

Week 3, Division I

Brookfield 5 CMHS 13

Vernon 73 Oak Creek 0

KM 5 DSHA 26

Vernon busts out with a big match to secure a crucial conference win. After scoring first, Brookfield lost a close, tough Founder's Cup match to CMHS. Brookfield and Vernon, both 1-2, square off Sunday. The winner keeps hopes of a top three finish alive and well. It's a big rematch of the historic upset last year that propelled Brookfield to the state final.

Divine Savior remains unbeaten and takes command of the conference lead in handing KM their first loss of the year. DS faces CMH this week, while KM will look to regroup against an Oak Creek side that's still looking for some offense.

Division I: DSHA 3-0, KM 2-1, CMH 2-1, Brookfield 1-2, Vernon 1-2, Oak Creek 0-3

Pictured: CMH freshman Rebecca Haight on the run against Brookfield, 9/24/2010

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

The Wisconsin Girls Rugby season kicks off this weekend with several pre-season matches involving division one teams.

DSHA high school opened the season in typically strong fashion against Marquette University in a friendly scrimmage that saw the defending State champions put up 30 points in the first half.

In other action, Brookfield, Catholic Memorial, Kettle Moraine, and Vernon face off at the Wisconsin Scottish Highland Games on Saturday. The first match of the day is a Founder's Cup match between Brookfield and CMHS. Check in for scores at the end of the day ...

Founders' Cup Preview

The Brookfield Bruisers RFC (BBRFC) were saddened at the loss of Mr. Pig, the stuffed animal of senior wing Beth F., who originally believed that Mr. Pig was left behind in the hotel after the Iowa tournament. However, late yesterday afternoon, the senior wing received a disturbing text message which read "we've got Mr. Pig -- and if you don't want him to become bacon, I wouldn't go scoring any tries on Saturday."

The BBRFC front office staff released this comment in response to the text message: "We are disturbed that, evidently, Mr. Pig is in the hands of CMHRFC and that they are using Mr. Pig as a means of intimidating our wing, who scored a hat trick of tries last weekend. We intend to take this matter before the arbitration panel to pursue recovery of the pig."

CMHRFC officials have denied that that the arbitration panel has jurisdiction over the alleged kid-napping of Mr. Pig. CMHS officials noted that the arbitration clause was clearly intended to resolve disputes regarding the Founders' Cup and cannot be used to
recover the allegedly kidnapped pig. BBRFC officials noted that "when CMHRFC attempted to use Mr. Pig as a means of intimidating our players in advance of this weekend's Founders' Cup match, they brought the dispute within the scope of the arbitration clause of the Irishfest Accords of 2008."

In a speech to the BBRFC players, Coach Dan "William Wallace" Chanen noted that "they may take our pig, but they cannot keep our trophy."

The Founders' Cup match is set to be played at 10:00 a.m. at Minooka Park in Waukesha, this coming Saturday.

Founders' Cup Dispute Heats Up!

The CMHS front office has downplayed accusations of mis-care and negligence in the possession of the famed Founders Cup. The CMH Director of Rugby replied unequivocally that; "The Cup remains safely in our trophy case. No harm will come to it." Curiously, the release also references a noted local rugby historian who points out that "a talisman of such reverence and historical value is bound to acquire a few scuffs along the way, only adding to its unique and long-standing value." Some might be left to ponder, "What would the F-Cup be without a few distinctive dings?"

The founders Cup has become something akin to the Lumberjack Axe, exchanged by the Wisconsin and Minnesota football teams for over a hundred years. Sources have learned that some CMHS officials are audaciously planning a permanent display of the Cup, hinting strongly that they never intend to relinquish possession of the vaunted pewter cup.

One daring sports photographer was able to surreptitiously obtain a recent photo of the Founders Cup. Judge for yourself.

If the dispute escalates, it may be necessary for the parties to exercise the arbitration clause contained in the Irishfest Accords, which set forth the terms of competition for the trophy. The Accords call for binding arbitration between the parties to be held on the grounds of Millennium Stadium. Officials from BBRFC have expressed their dissatisfaction with the picture, which they believe was intentionally lit in such a way as to minimize the damage. BBRFC Officials added "We are shocked and appalled that CHHS would consider investing in a permanent addition to its trophy case to house this treasure which will surely only be in their possession for a matter of months."

Founders' Cup News

Rumor has it that the Founders' Cup was seriously damaged while in the possession of the Catholic Memorial RFC. Unnamed sources from inside CMH indicated that the damage may have resulted from the handing out of bricks used in that Club's traditional post-match award ceremonies. Authorities are investigating the nature and extent of the damages and whether the damage done to the trophy may have been intentional.

The Brookfield Bruisers RFC front office issued a statement, noting that "once the investigation is complete, we will pursue all legal and equitable remedies available to have the cup repaired by the perpetrators." BBRFC officials added that "It is clear that -- whether the damage was intentional or not -- CMH RFC cannot be trusted to retain such a valuable object. Therefore, it is a priority for our spring season to recover the cup by winning a decisive on-the-field victory over that club of scalawags and ne'er-do-wells."

Officials from the CMHRFC have declined comment, pending the outcome of a full investigation into the allegations by the appropriate authorities.

Innagural Founders Cup

On Saturday, August 30, 2008, Catholic Memorial powered past the Brookfield Bruisers with an impressive 39-10 victory in the inaugural Founders' Cup match. Although only a pre-season scrimmage, CMH came ready to play, displaying depth and discipline to out score its cross-county rivals. An inexperienced, CMH-B went on to lose to an under-staffed Kettle Moraine side 40-5.

Also worth noting, the rumor is that Catholic Memorial High School may be granting its players varsity letters for their work on the rugby field, adding further legitimacy to the Club. Despite all the debates about "varsity" status, in the final analysis, the term "varsity" is a recognition by an individual school of the efforts of its athletes. There can be no doubt to anyone who watches a match, that these players are "varsity" caliber athletes. Kudos to CMHS for recognizing the efforts of its students.

Coaches --- just a reminder -- please send score reports (and photos if you have them).

The Cup...

Negotiations between CMHS and BBRFC broke down today shortly after the joint purchase of the newly named Founders' Cup, a competition commemorating the rivalry between these two clubs.

Disputes regarding the engraving of club names on the Cup, the details of financing trophy polish, and whether coaching staffs would be required to wear kilts at Founders' Cup matches reached a frenzied pitch, leaving in doubt whether differences could be resolved prior to the August 30, 2008 fixture.

Given the short-time frame left prior to the start of the season, the Parties have considered the selection of a neutral arbitrator to resolve these disputes. However, no agreement was reached and the negotiations are at a standstill.

CMHRFC rejects BBRFC's claim to primacy...

Following the issuance of the challenge to a grudge match, officials from CMHRFC responded to the fully justified comments of the BBRFC. The CMHRFC front office issued the following brief press release regarding the potential grudge match:

Officials contend that Catholic Memorial Girls Rugby first staked their claim to Minooka Park a decade ago, many years before the founding of the BBRFC. In a seldom remembered piece of Wisconsin rugby history, several witnesses, including a current representatives of involved parties, were present in Oct 1998 as DSHA lost to the Crusaders at Minooka Park. Minooka Park will forever be associated with the Crusaders!

In addition, the CHMRFC officials threatened legal action, in response to the BBRFC comments, in the following statement:

Councillors for CMHS are also seeking an injunction based on slander and libel for all references to Catholic as a "junior" and "upstart club." Documents will be shown exhibiting the club's deep roots in the community dating back a decade or more. Officials contend they can show an unbroken line of CMH rugby players from 1998 to the present day, who retain and preserved the rights of one of Wisconsin's founding clubs, not some 'upstart club' as some have erroneously referred to them as.

It is hoped that the parties can reach a formal arrangement which will resolve these concerns before the opening of the season.

A formal challenge...

Catholic Memorial High School RFC, angered by the fact that Brookfield Bruisers RFC has tortiously interfered with the contract of its assistant coaches and induced that coach to break his contract for permanent service, has challenged the BBRFC to a grudge match.

The BBRFC is shocked by the audacity of the upstart, and junior club, CMHRFC which has repeatedly wronged the BBRFC by wearing the BBRFC's home color jersey and usurping the BBRFC's home pitch.

To resolve this simmering rivalry, the parties are in negotiations for a formalized competition to resolve the differences between the clubs. The BBRFC has put on offer a trophy of unsurpassed value, if CMHRFC believes that it is up the the challenge.

It is hoped that negotiations regarding the competition will conclude prior to the pre-season fixture, scheduled for August 30, 2008, as this is the only scheduled meeting between these two foes during the Fall 2008 conference season.