The May Alumnus of the Month is longtime Michigan stalwart Tony Menyhart. Tony’s time with Michigan spans five decades. Rare is the Michigan player who has not stepped foot on the field with him. Menyhart has contributed to the Michigan Rugby community at all levels and across both genders. Tony has played every position and it’s rumored that he has played in more than 1000 games. Three cheers for this Michigan great!
When did you play?
My first game at Michigan was for Purdue at Palmer Field in 1971. Rory O’Connor hosted me. After 6 years of playing in Australia and New Zealand, I moved to this area thinking my rugby career was over. I ran into Quint Lawson and the gang at the Battle Creek tourney and they convinced me to come to a practice. Dave Weber was a great captain so I played for Michigan until about 1990 then dropped back to a ten matches a year schedule until 2010.
What are your favorite memories as a member of the club?
Running four complete sides so competition for “C” spots was fierce. Teaching hundreds of Michigan men to play the game right and to love rugby. Winning matches because we were a little more clever and a lot fitter than the competition. Beating tough teams like Milwaukee, Chicago and Cincinnati when they were the best in the nation.
Did you have any special honors during your time with the club?
- Captain 82-83, 27-1, but I still remember losing to Palmer in a short tournament game.
- Initiating “Old Blue on the Road”. U of M trips to New York, Ireland, Missoula, Portland, and Seattle.
- Designing and presenting “Angry Old Men” shirts to graduating players and making the Michigan Rugby Hawaiian party shirts.
- It was an honor to play with so many diverse personalities.
What are you doing now?
Developing Easy Artisan Bread Mix into a national brand. I am promoting healthy eating and want athletes to realize that what you eat affects your performance.
I am a skills advisor for the Ann Arbor Women’s Rugby team.
Any other interesting stories or info that you can provide?
Rugby has been a way of life for me. I have three younger brothers who played well. Three children who enjoyed a match and rugby friends in every corner of the world. Thanks to all the supporters and players of Michigan Rugby for making the good life possible.
2 comments
Dear Tony,
I’ve enjoyed a morning looking through the Michigan Rugby Football Club site and the Olde Blue site searching for familiar names and faces. I played from 1971-73 or 74 and may have missed playing with you. But when I saw your name in the Alumnus of the Month awards, it was familiar. My wife and I stayed in Ann Arbor until ’77 and I watched occasional practices and matches through ’76 at least.
Your comments about the match with Purdue at Palmer Field in the fall of ’71, however, evoked clear memories of Palmer, Rory O’Connor and Michigan Rugby. Rory and his friend Michael Sweeney spent much of that fall teaching me the game on the back line of our B side. I fondly recall grey skies and the mud that was preferable to both the asphalt like surface Palmer developed in August and Bo’s tartan turf on Ferry Field.
I’d enjoy hearing from you and particularly if you’re going to the Rugby World Cup. My daughter married a Brit, became a UK citizen and settled in Twickenham. I’ll be there for all of October.
Peace and Good Rugger.
Mike Doyle
Bozeman, Montana
406 582-8789
bzngoblue@gmail.com
Palmer Field fall of ’71 and Rory O’Connor. I remember them well. I only played from 71-73 or 74 and left Ann Arbor in 77 but I remember the name Tony Menyhart too. Peace and Good Rugger.