Defending Defiance

Dear Editor:

I am writing in response to Nate Peterson’s article (The Aspen Times, June 5) about the start of the new season for the Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club. Mr. Peterson referred to last year’s loss to Defiance Rugby Club as the 40-year low in Aspen rugby history and called Defiance the league’s perennial punching bag.

As a 10-year veteran of Defiance, I wonder if you have ever put the boots on and played against Defiance, Mr. Peterson? At least Fred Waititi, a man actually in the know, paid us our due respect by saying that mountain rugby is getting better and tougher.

Defiance is celebrating our 15th anniversary this year, and Aspen is in its 40s. Defiance is internationally recruiting for only the second time this year, a practice Aspen has been doing for decades. Remember the 1998 Cowpie tourney in Steamboat, when Defiance lost, 17-20, in the last minute, with Aspen sporting several national team members on the field? Were you there in 2002 when Defiance lost by a last-minute converted try, 10-17?

Defiance was started by former Gentlemen trying to avoid the valley commute, and there are still many close friendships. Your writing and fact-finding is as poor as the sportsmanship of many “friends” that refused to shake our hands last year after our win.

Gregg T. McCorkle

New Castle