Difference between revisions of "Portal:Frankfurt American 1973-1974 Men"

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Revision as of 03:30, 17 May 2017

< First Season 1974-1975 Season>


Frankfurt American 1973-1974 Men Portal

Roger Neppl was playing wing for Frankfurt Eintracht in 1972. Kurt Meisenzahl found out through the Division newspaper, called him and came to the next practice. That Saturday Kurt started at wing and scored two trys in the first Rugby match that he had ever seen... Gary Massey, a teacher working in Hanau, was the third American to join Frankfurt Eintracht and as time went on they recruited more Americans and they played on Eintracht's 2nd side (only 3 foreigners were allowed on the 1st Eintracht's 1st side).

A 3rd Armored Division team was put together in the fall on 1973 and played its first match in 1974 against Offenbach with jerseys that were borrowed from Entracht and on a converted American football field at Edwards Sportsplatz. "We had to drag guys out of the barracks to field a team, but we won. Offenbach challenged us to a rematch and this time we beat them handily. "

Team nickname was "Rough Riders", a name that continued for several years.

Roger, Gary and Kurt continued to play for Eintracht on Saturdays and with the 3rd Armored Division on Sundays.

The Club went 11-4 that spring, including sevens.

Team Record

Fall 1973 Record
Date Opponent Score Notes
<date> No games
Spring 1974 Record
Date Opponent Score Notes
24 Feb Offenbach 20-12 First ever match, and they asked for a rematch
3 Mar Offenbach 47-6
10 Mar Eintracht 0-3
17 Mar Irish Pub team 24-17 our second team played this match
23 Mar Hurth 13-14
7 Apr Munster 56-6
9 Apr Munster 6-19 second team
27 Apr Bonn 39-6
12 May Heidelberg (HRK Juniors+) 35-14
26 May Hurth Sevens multiple Went 3-2 and had a 3 way tie for second place (out of 4 teams)
29 May Czechoslovakia 16-10
Season Record 11-4 (including sevens)

Hurth Sevens:

24-0 over Munster Rams

16-4 over the Belgians

10-12 loss to Heidelberg

4-16 loss to 16th Sig Rgmt (eventual winners)

4-12 loss to Royal Irish Rangers

Roster
Last Name, First Name Service Notes
Neppl, Roger Army
Meisenzahl, Kurt Army
Massey, Gary Army
Orvald, Todd Army
Weiss, Bill Army
Maffat, Mike Army
Babayan, Jerry Army
Socea, Larry Army
Bilbo,John Army
Klimek, Rick Army
Arnold, Norm Army
David, Burt Army
Taylor, Tom Army
Palumbi, Joe Army
Koiwai, Mark Army
Watson, Harry Army
Wong, Roger Army
Stelling, George Air Force
Yaquinto, Rob Army
Hines, Kevin Army
Terry, Bill Army
Vogel, Ed Army
Leggierio Army
Williams, Jerry Army
Stuart, John Army
Ripley, Dave Army
Nemmers, Tom Army
Bolling, Russ Army
Scott, Levy Army
Archibald, Dave Army
Proctor, Frank Army
Lynch, Marty Army
Dooley, Tim Army


Leadership

President - Kurt Meisenzahl

Assistant - Chris Wenzler

Treasurer - Roger Neppl

Coach - Maj John Tower, RA

Captain - Gary Massey

Media

Kneeling: child,Roger Wong, George Stelling, Kurt Meisenzahl and son, Gary Massey, Roger Neppl, the two kneeling behind Gary and Roger ? , ? Standing: Todd Orvald, Kevin Hines,?,?, John Bilbo, Bill Weiss, Rich Cline, ?, Robbie Yaquinto, Larry Socea, partially hidden, West Point man, Jerry Babian, Mike Maffett, Mark Koiwai, Rick Klemick


(per Dr. Mike Maffet). My first experience with the team was on a Friday afternoon. We practiced at the base in Frankfurt and then went to a small fair across the street which had a beer tent. We then piled into a VW bus and went to a gasthaus. I think it was Bill Weiss, the hooker's, bus. As the night proceeded we went to other bars and more players joined us. Late into the night we finally left to return to base. We were all plastered. The bus was also now packed. Somehow on the way back, Bill cut a corner, clipped the curb, and the bus tipped on two wheels. We traveled along at 45 degrees for what seemed like a long time and then the bus tipped on its side. In a shower of sparks and screeching metal we came to a stop. It was body piled on body, an automotive scrum. Somehow we climbed out the top. Miraculously no one was hurt. After some drunken discussion, we all got on the down side and pushed the bus back on four wheels. Bill turned the key, it started, we piled back in the bus and returned to the base. Its a wonder we won any games that year. There are many other stories, many involving the Iris Pub, Rob Yaquinto's house in the Taunus Mountains, playing the Brits, our tours to Paris (worthy of a short novel) and the UK, and the trip to the gypsy camp. What a time!