• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

The USA's exciting Collegiate Championship Invitational (CCI) 7s Series kicks off today in Columbus Ohio (June 4-6).

UR7s columnist Dallen Stanford caught up with two of the coaches who will be competing in this inaugural event – which is to be televised LIVE on NBC in America.

Dave Gonzales (Harvard Head Coach) played soccer and rugby in England while growing up, and was drawn to rugby union because of the great camaraderie. He played at University, the Army side and with a few local men’s club sides in London, including a brief stint at Saracens. After moving to the US in 1996 he played for Monmouth and later the Boston Wolfhounds before three ACL injuries put him on the sideline.

His rugby passion led to the founding of the South Shore Anchors (now Men’s D1) and The Scituate Stormers (U19's). Gonzales has been coaching at Harvard for several years now, making a massive impact with the rugby program.

Alex Magleby (Dartmouth Head Coach) played for the USA Sevens side from 2000-2005 competing in an astounding 21 IRB tournaments. He went on to play for the USA 15s side on 8 occasions, gaining 4 test caps, debuting against Wales at the Millennium Stadium. Magleby has been heavily involved on the USA Board of Directors, Collegiate All-American selector, and more recently the Head Coach of the Collegiate All-Americans in 2009 & 2010. He has been the Head Coach of Dartmouth from 2001-2009, including being Ivy League Champions 6 of the 9 years.

---

Dallen Stanford: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions for UR7s.com! In past years how much rugby sevens has been played at your university?

Dave Gonzales (Harvard): Great question Dallen, actually none.

Alex Magleby (Dartmouth): Dartmouth has a unique academic calendar. It is based on the quarter system, and all students attend classes between sophomore and junior years. So we have been pretty fortunate that each summer term we are able to field a 7s side in many New England tournaments.

DS: With the exciting CCI 7s tournament this weekend, what has been the response from your rugby players from switching over to sevens?

DG (Harvard): The players have jumped at the challenge. Some have declared preference. Although getting used to the sevens format has had its trials and tribulations.

AM (Dartmouth): The guys have really enjoyed it. It has been a lot of hard work, but they have responded well to it and in so doing are getting quite a bit of satisfaction out of the competitive trainings.

DS: What sort of numbers do you get to training, and was it difficult to select your squad of 12 players?

DG (Harvard): It’s been very difficult. We identified several back in February. We had to ask them to stay on after term had finished and put summer plans on hold. After that several players had to bail for personal reasons, work, or injury. We tried to recruit some crossover athletes from the varsity sports football and lacrosse. They said they loved the game but would not be able to devote the time to learning the complexities of rugby. I think if they stuck it out they would have found their feet. We do have a couple of crossovers from track and judo. Both of whom are now stalwarts and I am looking forward to seeing what they can do.

AM (Dartmouth): For 15s we have a roster of just over 60 regulars. We reduced that to the top 16 sevens-type athletes. It was difficult determining the 4 alternates.

DS: How much sevens specific training have you done with your squad, and have you had the opportunity to scrimmage against anyone?

DG (Harvard): Very minimal training with the squad, especially with final exams, seniors leaving, dorm crews and other issues we have not actually had the full squad together. We have however done extensive work with individuals, groups and units. We also played some scrimmages with Dartmouth, South Shore and The Boston Irish Wolfhounds men’s teams. They were huge learning opportunities.

AM (Dartmouth): We have been at it for the last month, since we hosted the Royall Lyme Dartmouth 7s presented by Rockwood on May 2nd. We hadn’t trained specifically for sevens up to that point. Since then, it has been a fun run of sevens training.

DS: Notre Dame have brought in some experienced sevens coaches in Aaron Manheimer (Chicago Lions) and ex-Eagle Phillip Eloff to assist with their preparation. Have you had the funds available for this? Perhaps next year?

DG (Harvard): We have used in house and local resources. More funds always mean more specialist help, and preparation.

DS: How will the CCI 7s tournament impact the sevens program at your University?

DG (Harvard): Well we have spent more time with the athletes that will help their sevens game. We are hoping we will receive greater support from our extended alumni. We are hoping that with this event and the growth of rugby that Harvard will eventually have to jump on the ever-developing bandwagon.

AM (Dartmouth): It already has. We have had a chance to really push the players an extra month in a more elite training environment. That push should carry over when we add the other 50 players back into the mix come the Ivy League season next fall. The exposure could prove to be very positive for us, and for the sport in general.

DS: Pool A consists of California, Dartmouth, Harvard and Notre Dame. How do you see your side competing in this strong pool?

DG (Harvard): We have some tough matches. And we are going to go out there and do our best to put ourselves in a competitive spot to win games. As you know it is a seven minute half. And we aim to take our opportunities. We’re going to roll with it.

AM (Dartmouth): Haven’t paid much attention to it to date. We are working hard to put out a performance to be proud of on Friday, and then we’ll just have to adjust and grow from there.

DS: Thanks again for speaking to us, and UR7s.com wishes you and your side all the best this weekend!

---

Related articles:

Pools revealed for US Collegiate Sevens

---

Dallen Stanford is an ambassador for The Tackling Cancer Foundation. The organisation was created in September 2009 with the goal of supporting leading cancer researchers while promoting safe and active lifestyles through sport. Founders James Walker, Matt Pye and Jeremy Castro teamed up to create a non-profit group that combined their love of rugby and their desire to serve the greater good. By leveraging the global participation of rugby, the foundation and its donors will help tackle cancer. See how you can make a difference by clicking here.

www.pakiscorner.com