Bingham Cup 2008
The Barbarian-Grizzlies WON the Bingham Plate Division Championship! 22-0 versus the Sydney Convicts 2. Congratulations to all the Grizzlies, World Barbarians and auxiliaries who worked so hard to achieve victory on the world stage!
The trophy ceremony (above) took place on Pitch 1 following the Bingham Cup Final where IGRAB titans Sydney Convicts 1 won 18-3 versus Kings Cross Steelers 1 (London). There are four divisions in the Bingham Cup tournament, Cup-Plate-Bowl-Shield. Atlanta Bucks won the Bowl Division 12-5 against King Cross Steelers 2 (way to go Bucks!) and Ulster Titans won the Shield Division 29-5 versus Muddy York (Toronto). Last, but not least Barbarian-Grizzlies Vince Vogelsang, Bru and Jon Glassmeyer were honored by the team as Men-of-the-Tournament!
At the start of the tournament eleven Grizzlies combined with the World Barbarians (Barbies), another team that was several players short of a full side. The combined team played under the Barbarians' yellow and black banner. Coach Gus did an outstanding job bringing the two teams together to play as one. Gus, Brad Torgan, Rai Martinez and all the great players from around the world that make up the Barbarians were fantastic teachers and brothers to the Grizzlies.
Leading up to the final, the combined team won their first SIX matches versus Amsterdam NOP 55-0! an upset against Kings Cross Steelers 2 (London) 6-0! - KXS2 is part of the oldest IGRAB club and was expected to win big - then Saturday against Muddy York (Toronto) 48-7.
In round one of the play-offs the G-Bs torpedoed Boston Ironsides 25-0. In the Quarter-Final they won versus Dallas Diablos 19-5 and then San Francisco Fog 2, 16-0 in the semi-final.
Our own Joel Campbell and Michael (Killer) Kiggins have each scored their first international Try in Dublin! John Purdom and Grizzly whore Vince Vogelsang were each named Man-of-the-Match versus the Convicts 2 and the Ironsides respectively. El Presidente' Jim Schmidt took the first injury - a knee to the eye - way to go Jim! But not to be outdone, Jon "Crusher" Glassmeyer was hauled off for seven stitches over his eye and Todd Hughes was sidelined with a pulled ligament in his knee. Stan Schklar and Vince Vogelsang each took hits to the ribs. Jim, Jon and Vince were cleared and kept playing. Finally, not to be outdone, Jim injured his thumb during the championship match. It hurt, but like a good Grizzly he waited till after the award ceremony and dinner to see a doctor and find out it was a serious fracture. Good times.
Pictured with our boys in several of the pictures on Joe Woolley's web album is Mark Bingham's mother Alice Hoglan. Mark, the tourney's namesake, was one of the 911 heroes on Flight 93 who sacrificed themselves to save others (more about Mark).
Thanks to all our Bingham Cup Supporters
It wouldn't have happened without you!
Gold sponsors Jack Arnold, Jon Grayson, Barry Jeffrey, Mark Tanzer & Michael Randall, Stephen McRedmon, Chris Thomson, Barry Jeffrey, Keith Durbin & Gary Bynum, Wills Handyman
Burgundy sponsors John Bridges, Suzanne Bradford & Judy Lojek, Diane & Steve Neighbors, Bill Haralson, Anne Carr, Wonnie Short, John Wade, Glenn Swann,
Bill Walker
Blue sponsors Vaden Lackey, Rob Harper, Joe Morris.
And to the more than 250+ others who have made donations at our events
Grizzlies Bingham Side
Joel Campbell
Eric "Dozer" Carey
Jon "Crusher" Glassmeyer
Todd Hughes
Michael "Killer" Kiggins
Ben Marks
John Purdom
Stan Schklar
Jim Schmidt
Vince Vogelsang
Jon Wells
Grizzlies Bingham Auxiliaries
Marco Fernandez
Brian "Trip" Pickler
Scott Ridgway
Adam Ross
Justin Waldner
Joe Wooley
