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24, 2001 ASU Rugby player will travel to Ireland for competition Matt Huckaby is a driven competitor, on and off the field. The Arkansas State University senior continues to strive for excellence in his chosen sport of rugby and is preparing to travel to Ireland with athletes from all over the United States for competition. The graduate of Jonesboro High School was selected in June by USA Rugby as a member of the All-American Rugby team. The squad of 34 athletes includes the nation’s best collegiate rugby players. Athletes were chosen based on performances throughout their playing season and at the collegiate All-Star Championships held in June. Eight regional teams from the U.S. compete in the championship. Huckaby and his teammates will tour Ireland in early September and play matches against Trinity College and other Irish universities. "I’m really looking forward to playing with athletes of such a high caliber," the Spanish major said. "I’m going to play with very intense players who know the game and are smart about it. At this level you’ve got to be better than good, you’ve got to be great and make all the breaks." Several of the athletes selected for the All-American team will not be able to travel to Ireland due to prior commitments, such as Shaun Paga who plays for the Minnesota Vikings NFL team or John Shelbourne from Purdue University. "All of the selected men are such amazing athletes, many of them play football at top 10 universities or professionally. It’s amazing to think I’ll be playing with them on the same field," Huckaby said. Huckaby’s father Curt is head coach of the ASU Rugby team and led the team to a Division II National Championship in 2000. The ASU team is currently ranked second nationally, after being defeated by Baylor University at the 2001 championships. "It’s been great having my father with me. We’ve moved from a father and son relationship to best friends," the younger Huckaby said. "My dad played rugby for a long time and we even have pictures of me as a baby on the sidelines of the rugby field at some of his games. "He has taught me so much and done so much with this team. It’s really neat that he’s still active in my life at the college level." Former teammate and Arkansas State University physical education graduate Yves Pichavant from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was selected for the All-American team in 2000, and both were named All-South players in 2001. Pichavant graduated in May. "Yves is by far one of the best players I’ve ever been against; he’s taught me so much," Huckaby said. "I just don’t think he was exposed to the ball enough during the All-Star Championships and unfortunately was not chosen this year for All-American. It certainly has been an honor to play with him." Huckaby noted that one of the best things about playing rugby at ASU is the diversity and camaraderie his team possesses. "I’ve seen teams that don’t get along so well, and we’re just not that way. The guys on the team are so close, and I think that is one reason we’re so good. "We’re also such a diverse bunch. We’ve got every type of person on our team, from athletes who don’t want to play college ball to nerds. Our team picks up the loose ends, we’re a magnet." Huckaby said he would like to keep playing rugby for as long as he is able, however, when the day comes that he doesn’t don his jersey and cleats he looks forward to attending law school. "I just hope to keep playing after I graduate and eventually play for the national team, The Eagles. I want to ride this rugby wave until it crashes." # # # |
 University Communications Office Jonesboro, Arkansas Staff: Tom Moore Straley Snipes Vic Nelson 870-972-3056 fax 870-972-3069 Send mail: ASUnews@astate.edu Links: List of News/Announcements Upcoming Public Events About ASU ASU Home Page |
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