GRR: Colorado XOs
USA 7s star David Still's decision to leave the program and pursue a pro football career was some time in coming.
GRR asked USA 7s Head Coach Mike Friday whether it was a surprise when Still announced his decision last week, he said it wasn't and instead had been a topic of discussion between the two some time ago.
Glendale, Colo.-based American Raptors have announced that all-time USA great Paul Emerick has been named the team's Head Coach.
Emerick, who earned 54 caps with the Eagles and played in three Rugby World Cups, was a crossover athlete himself when he picked up rugby at the University of Northern Iowa after playing one year of football in college.
The Colorado XOs defeated the New Orleans Rugby Club 26-10 in the first game for the team of crossover athletes training in Glendale, Colo.
The XOs got tries from scrumhalf Michael Bandy, Shawn Clark, Malik Bryant, and Jarrell Patterson in a game where New Orleans led 3-0 early and were close at 19-10 at halftime.
RugbyTown Crossover Academy, where athletes from other sports have been undergoing intense training in rugby in Glendale, Colo., will actually take the field in a real rugby game this coming weekend, as the Colorado XOs take on the New Orleans RFC in the Big Easy.