SCOTT CARLSON

Today’s post features two former teammates from the late 70’s and early 90’s, Scott Carlson and Jim Conine.

Scott Carlson’s rugby journey began at Abel Hall when he and roommate Pat Putzier answered the call of a recruiting poster that Read “Give Blood Play Rugby.” After attending his first practice, he was sent in as a back in a B-side game with very limited knowledge of the rules let alone the game.  He recalls that after finding the try line for the first time, he “failed to touch the ball down and proceeded to be mauled by a much more knowledgeable opponent!” 

It was a lesson learned, but Scott was hooked.  He was an active member of the UNL Rugby Club from the spring of 1977 through December of 1980 serving as captain his final season.  Teammates during these years seem to recall details of every match, party, and road trip… to Scott, they have merged into becoming a meaningful journey of comradery, competition, fellowship, and friendships….many of which he’s blessed with today. 

A few of his favorite memories are as follows:

• Summer Okoboji tournament with the GOATS during the early years.
• Taking the Burlington train to Tempe, AZ (free tickets from Bill Swearengin) to play in Fiesta Bowl festivities prior to Husker football.  He suffered a fractured larynx during one of the matches.
• Negotiating free kegs from Bud distributor (Dale Herman) in exchange for post-game visit to local pubs at his discretion.
• Guest player with St. Paul Pigs in Winnipeg, Canada.  Chanting “start fires – eat olives.”  Long story.
• Taimour Tanavoli on a school visa from Iran and incredibly strong (great teammate and friend) and the false kidnapping debacle in Omaha after a match with UNO.  This incident allowed Scott the opportunity to meet and explain “what happened” to Bob Devaney.  All forgiven!
• Showing up for my first day of work at Caterpillar’s corporate office with a pronounced “black eye” from a weekend match.
• Hitching a ride from Lincoln all the way to Laramie, WY with Tim Flynn to join UNL in Frontier Days Tournament.  Who does that??!!
• Competing against the “Air Force Academy” and seeing up close what real fitness and endurance these men possessed… “Thank you for your service!”
• Being selected to the Heart of America side along with lifelong friend Jim Powers and competing against a Welsh side from Cross Keys in both Lawrence, KSand on their home pitch in Wales the following year.
• Singing “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” while chugging thru a Manhattan, Kansas bar on our knees, led by a half-naked Snow White.

After graduating in December 1980, Scott accepted a job in Peoria, IL with Caterpillar Tractor, and sought out the local Rugby Club aptly named the Peoria Pigs.  Scott played for the Pigs from the spring of 1980 through summer 1982.  Of note: when he arrived at the club (also formed in 1973) he was traveling with less than a full side and near extinction. Fortunately, in his Cat training class, there were two tremendous athletes that had played rugby in college – friends today – Joe Gote and Frank Hopke. 

The three became the core of the club and two years later, they were downstate (No Chicago teams) Illinois State champions – Rags to riches! 

Prior to heading off to Peoria, he was invited to join the Kansas University Rugby Club on the first of several international tours as a guest player.  He accepted and toured for three weeks in England, Wales and France as part of the first 15.  His position was referred to as standoff by the English or fly half, and this may come to a surprise to the Maguire clan, but Scott scored many a tries in February of 1981 on foreign soil.  In fact, the trophy from this tour still resides in Johnny’s “up and under” in Lawrence, Kansas. 

In the summer of 1983, Scott returned to Omaha to go to work for his uncle’s food business where he is still employed today.  He was back in Omaha, and was back on the pitch traveling with the Omaha GOATS, and more lifelong friendships were forged. 

Later that year, he was once again invited to tour for a month with the Kansas University Rugby Club, this time to the mecca of rugby playing nations – New Zealand.  Scott was blessed to play alongside some tremendous players including Fred Paoli, who would later earn 20 CAPS with the USA Eagles as a prop.  This tour served as his “last international hurrah” and much fun was had. 

Scott’s playing days ended at the hands of the St. Paul Pigs captained by none other than his friend, and long-time teammate, Mike McHugh.  It was here that Scott, now the father of two young children, took his boys to the game to watch him play and he left his wife at home.  As in most cases, the youngsters were looked after by the girlfriends and wives in attendance.

However, when Scott was injured and whisked off to the hospital in the squad, the boys and their father became separated.  The injury was not as severe as the glare he received from his wife when Scott returned home after her two sons had already been “delivered” back to their house by two kind strangers (“both very attractive young ladies” as his wife would later report).  It was time to retire!

According to Scott, rugby was “impactful on my life in many ways,” and is “So very appreciative of the opportunity to participate in such a great sport!” 

Scott has been married 41 years to the former Anne Murphy who survived many post-match celebrations during the university years.  They couple resides in Omaha and has four grown children, all married and blessed with three beautiful grandkids, Charlie, Emma, and Winnie.