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Senior Class of 2020

6/5/2020

Senior Class of 2020

A THANK YOU TO OUR RALEIGH REDHAWKS YOUTH RUGBY CLUB SENIORS (AND THE SENIORS OF ALL OUR FELLOW NORTH CAROLINA RUGBY CLUBS)

I have put off doing this under the hope we would be able to play at least one more rugby game before early August. I still have that hope but believe it is time to officially thank all the many Raleigh Redhawks Youth Rugby Club seniors for all they have done for the Redhawks, for youth rugby and for our community.

Before I do that, however, I would be remiss if I didn’t also thank the seniors of Clayton, Raleigh, the Charlotte Tigers and the other Clubs in our area. I have had the pleasure of watching many of you for the past ten years—ever since you were in the early days of grade school. It has been a great pleasure to watch each of you grow (and to help me grow) over these last years and to see each of you lead your Clubs and North Carolina rugby to the upper echelon of youth rugby.

I so looked forward to the final games against each of your Clubs where I could, in person, shake your hand, thank you for all your efforts and wish you the best of success in the next chapters of your lives. That lost opportunity and this lost season will forever remain a great disappointment in my life. I have never been more impressed with a group of high school kids then I am with all of you. So although I cannot do this in person, please know that I am extremely thankful for all you have given to rugby and your Clubs and that I wish each of you the greatest of success in the future. I look forward to hearing of the many successes that I know will come your way. And I know that those of you who will play rugby at the next level, will make an immediate positive impact on your college or club teams. Go forth and prosper young men!

And to our Redhawks Seniors. I have coached many of you since the 6th grade. Back when clumps of dirt or a passing airplane or butterfly would distract us all. My how far we have come! We have worked so hard together these last six years, all focused on a belief that we could accomplish something very special. We had ups and downs along the way, but we never stopped working, we never stopped believing and we never stopped growing as players, coaches and individuals.

I have watched with great pride as each of you has become a responsible adult. I have watched you establish and enforce our values, embrace the challenges of the game and life and grow as responsible members of our community. You have raised funds for the needy, helped feed the hungry, helped clean up our community and on and on. You have set the standard for the Redhawks and for all our players, coaches and administrators to follow. We will forever be indebted to you.

Life is not fair and there are no promises of tomorrow, let alone the next game. You each deserved to have this season and to attempt to accomplish your mission. But alas, circumstances changed that prevented that from happening. I (and everyone else in the World) wish that was not the case. But I rejoice in seeing how you handled this adversity. Rather than feeling sorry for yourselves, you instead began working to help those in our community who have lost much more than a game. And those on our Leadership Committee have worked tirelessly to help train our next set of Redhawks’ leaders. I could not be more proud of each of you.

I am, as you know, an emotional guy. I wanted so much to stand back and watch you pursue our goal and, win or lose, be able to give each of you a firm handshake, a hug and a thank you for all you have done and all you have accomplished. Maybe we will still get that chance, but if we don’t, please know how much I love and respect each of you. You are like sons and daughters to me. And I am one proud papa.

Thank you each so much for your service to the Redhawks, to rugby and to our community. Thank you for all the memories and challenges. Thank you for making me a better coach and person. Thank you for driving the Redhawks to new heights. You have created a legacy. You have left your jersey in a better place. I and the Redhawks can’t thank you enough.

I wish each of you the greatest of success for the future. I am confident you will accomplish much. And you will always be Redhawks.

With the greatest of admiration and respect,

Coach Dave

The Redhawks Seniors (and years playing for the Redhawks):

Turner Barefoot (7 years)

James Carlin (1 year)

Christian Dickens (9 years, member of the Leadership Committee)

Blake Forbis (3 years)

Brad Harris (5 years)

Xavier Harris (1 year)

Omari Johnson (3 years)

AJ Kurke (3 years)

Sincere LeCraft (4 years)

Frank Lewis (7 years, member of the Leadership Committee)

Aadil Mehasanewala (7 years, member of the Leadership Committee)

Vincent Meymandi (4 years, member of the Leadership Committee)

Terrence McCallem (5 years)

George O’Brien (8 years)

Anthony Quiovers (5 years)

Nate Roeback (6 years)

Scott Sidney (4 years)

Sam Sorice (6 years, member of the Leadership Committee)

Gabrielle Stein (3 years)

Ryan Swann (6 years)

Ashley Taris (3 years)

Tom Viles (1 year)

Sam Vlahoplus (1 year)

Ben Watson (7 years, two time member of the Leadership Committee)

Anterious Williams (3 years)

Sam Weidmier (4 years)

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Senior Class of 2020

Congrats to Terrence McCallen for selecting NC State

Sam Vlahoplus selects South Carolina

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