Thanks
to everyone who made Vail such a special trip again, especially to Bobo and his
tireless efforts. It was great for the Quinn's to share this week with
all of your families, it is a highlight of our summer. Recruiting for
next year is off to a great start after a busy summer of camps. There is
a little extra pressure in recruiting now since I now have to not only evaluate
how the recruit will fit in and develop for the next 4 years at Middlebury; I
have to evaluate how he will contribute to the Elite, Masters and then
Supermasters teams! They will all be signing blood oaths that they are in
the program for life!
Erin
Quinn
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Bobo: Thanks so much for including us and for all
your successful efforts in organizing such a fantastic trip. it is amazing that
you are able to bring such a large group together so harmoniously and that you are
able build upon traditions like the Los Amigos with brilliant new ideas such as
the pool pizza party! our trip was best summed up by
hearing my son relate his favorite experiences, in order, to my Mom. what began as a top three list grew to more than ten in a
constantly evolving order as he was overcome with his joyful memories. thanks
again,
Rob Peterson
PS: I heard that next year the cut-off for masters will be 32 (they want to
encourage more teams); this should help the numbers for the Middlebury masters
team and from what Ian was telling me, the teammates he will be recruiting for
next year should be able to field a team that could take the trophy!
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Middlebury
Crew and Families -
I wanted to let you guys know what a terrific time I had in Vail, and can
report back that I had a great rookie experience. The lax both teams
played was solid, the wives and families were all very welcoming and friendly,
and the attitudes of all the players were incredibly positive.
Thanks for a terrific experience, and if I can make it through the Jim
Ladd/Greg Wheeler tryouts and selection committee, I'd like to run with you
guys again.
Have a great year and hope to see you all again.
Doug Wetzel
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Bobo,
Thanks for all your work to make sure everyone at Vail had a great time. I
really enjoyed hooking up w/ Middlebury for the tournament, seeing old friends
like Will and Mike and making new friends w/ all you
guys. Wish I could have contributed more in the goals department but
considering, I was glad to make it thru the three games. Hope the rest of your
summer goes well.
Chuck
Reilly.
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Doug
captures the sentiments of the Sheehan family, as well. Pam, Stuart, Edwin and
I had a terrific time, and we can't say enough good things about the
experience. After a very short period, it seemed like we had known everyone for
years. Thanks for the hospitality, and we hope that we are able to join you
again next year.
Special thanks to Bobo and Donna for their incredible commitment to the event.
It was first class.
Best Regards,
Peter, Pam, Stuart and Edwin Sheehan
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As
I was a "rookie orphan" this year I would like to chime in with a
quick statement- " I am disappointed I missed the
last 5 years." For me being stranded out here on the left coast now, it is
a great way to reconnect with old teammates and fellow alums and also to meet players
like Will Graham that I did not have the honor of playing with but have heard a
lot about.
My hats off to Bobo. He is the captain that drives the
ship. One last thought. As I was dragging my out of shape butt off the field
after the Bowdoin game I heard an alum of theirs say;:
"I still haven't lost to Middlebury. They may win NCAA championships but
they can't beat us". Sign me up for next year. I would like another shot
at Bowdoin.
Great to see everyone.
Chip
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Bobo:
As always, you did a tremendous job, and your current employer either wonders
what your "other" fulltime job is, or has no idea how much time you
spend at it!!! Well we, your teammates and friends, DO know, and we
couldn't do it without you, so, other than you busting up my ankle at Midd,
you're "the best" (even if you are a pain in the a--,
overly intense, overly muscled defenseman!) Bottom line: Thanks for
making Vail such a special time for so many people!! Have a great Summer!
Wheels
'78
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Bobo's
summary stands alone and he covers this year's Vail experience well.
Listed below are some of my thoughts:
THE COMPETITION AND NEXT YEAR
There is no lacrosse program in the country that fields 4 competitive
teams. This in itself is amazing. The best way to improve on this
is to begin the process of keeping the regulars and drawing more players for
next year. Both teams could easily use several more players. The
more the merrier, plus we'll be even more competitive.
We need to devote the initial practice to a bit of a kick ass scrimmage - get
acclimated to the altitude, play in game conditions(with
officials) and get the kinks out before we play for real.
BOBO
If corporate
ERIN AND THE MIDDLEBURY PROGRAM
There is a direct connection with what happens at Vail and the success of
Middlebury's program (women's too). Each summer Middlebury demonstrates
that it is in a class by itself....and this goes way beyond winning
games. It is the quality and character of the people involved. It starts
with
Keeping Vail viable and strong is a great investment in the future of
THE AMAZING KOHN
Given all that Pete has done for all of us, it would be a crime to see the
experience pass without attempting to capture what Pete is all about.
Whether it's his presence on the sideline or seeing him put his arm around one
of the children at Tuesday night's dinner, it is clear that something special
is going and it won't last forever.
TAKE HOME LESSON
Last week's experience is hard to put into words. Although on the surface
it is about lacrosse, in reality, it has nothing to do with lacrosse. The
Vail experience is really about friends, family, being together again and it's
about character.
See you next year,
Jim Grube (oc)
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Bobo,
Again - as always - "You The Man!"
There would be no Vail as we know it without your exemplary efforts!
Still walking gingerly... but with a grin... reflecting on great times
with great people playing a great sport!
Count me in for Vail '03!
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All:
My family is always shocked by how much we enjoy Vail every year. We were
certain that the first year in 1999 could not be matched and were prepared for
a letdown in 2000. However, 2000 was even better. We had the same
feeling in 2001 and again enjoyed it more than 2000. This year, we were
not going to attend Vail because of the fear of flying, etc. However, we
decided that Vail is precisely what was needed to combat the fear of flying
developed in the fall. And, of course, 2002 was the best Vail experience
yet!
Why is Vail always so great every year? It is the people. Vail is
all about the goodness of the people who attend. Every year produces a
different mixture of personalities that makes us collectively better. The
new people add a new dimension and the veterans manage to keep a fresh and
inviting perspective on the week.
We missed some key players this year (Fudd, Kemp,
Chafee, etc) that cant be replaced. But we had
some new ones (Chip Clark, Mike Jennings, Frankie Albanese) who were great to
see (and can still play!!).
Vail is about perspective. In our lives we can think of a million reasons
why we cant come to Vail (work, family, yardwork, blah, blah, blah...). However, I ask you to focus
on the one reason to rearrange your life to come to Vail -- the people!
I hope to see the old faces and new faces (not the freshman book) in 003 -- and bring the family if you can swing it.
They will love it as much
as you!
My best,
Paul Scheufele 1980
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Ditto the Sheehan clan sentiments. The Giffords had a blast. Bobo - every year gets better
and better. Thanks for a memorable few days.
Garret Gifford
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Shife
- excellent comments, you have a way with words (the oc
remembers when you were pursuing a career in journalism/writing with the
ambition to become the next John Updike [perhaps
Anyway, a few comments on Shife's comments (I'm
trapped on one of those long flights; good time to pontificate):
It really is about the people. Each time I return to Vail I appreciate
how this band of guys I worked with back in the old days have seasoned into
remarkable men - anchored, committed fathers and husbands, very value-based
people. Humility aside,
Another twist on this "feel-good" commentary; Vail is only a small
sliver of our lives. As Bobo remarks, we all have to return to the real
world. Here's what I'm driving at - Middlebury lacrosse is much more than
Vail, it is the tip of the iceberg. Vail, the email list serve,
In measure we all take great pride in the national championships, the winning record,
the good times, but the real deal is the people....Shife,
I agree.
Jim Grube (oc)