Mike Reiland at Saranac 2007
We were playing Long Island RFC in a close game. I told Mike I would try to get him in the game….With 5 minutes left Mike was pacing up and down the sideline. During a scrum down I asked for a sub and put Reiland in at hooker. The prop across from Mike said “holy shit your still around” Mike just looked up and had that shitty grin on his face……..
January 25th, 2009 at 08:56
The last part of the previous comment pretty much summed up Mike. Whether he was bustin’ your balls, telling stories over a post-game beer or getting away with something during a game he always had that shitty grin on his face. I was shocked to hear the news….he truly was a great guy to have around and on your side.
January 25th, 2009 at 16:59
#1
It was great when Mike would go balls out during the warm-up at Manley field house. Scotty would get so pissed “don’t let him beat you! He wants to show us up!”
#2
When we selected Rieland over Gennaro for hooker that was great! Mike had one eye but a great throw in!
#3
My second year playing summer 7s Mike had the ball and I tackled him to the ground and stole the ball from him…while he was on the ground he goes to me “Schermerhorn you little bitch”! He was always putting up a fight!
January 26th, 2009 at 18:20
The best story I remember was from a Rochester game, during which Mike came out of a loose ruck all beat up and muddy, folling the play, when another scrummer says, ” Mike, your eye–it’s turned around!” Mike, in his unflapable and understated manner, replies, “Well I can’t tell!!” Then he carries on following the play, while rearranging his glass eye on the run…. That was Mike–picking his ass up off the floor and trundling off after the maul!!!
January 26th, 2009 at 18:21
The best story I remember was from a Rochester game, during which Mike came out of a loose ruck all beat up and muddy, following the play, when another scrummer says, ” Mike, your eye–it’s turned around!” Mike, in his unflapable and understated manner, replies, “Well I can’t tell!!” Then he carries on following the play, while rearranging his glass eye on the run…. That was Mike–picking his ass up off the floor and trundling off after the maul!!!
January 26th, 2009 at 18:41
Being a Hammerhead and Charger I have alot of memories of Mike. Be it, him selling back all of the lear left at practice out of his trunk or the endurance he displayed. Mike also trained with me over the winters down in my parents basement. I think the greatest story was him telling me that he used to make Jim Kline clean all of the chalkboards at Soule Road Middle School. That must have been one helluva sight. See you in the next life Mike.
January 26th, 2009 at 20:27
bummer to hear the news of our fallen commrade. Played against Mike
for 20 years…since my days at Brockport 82 -86, Colonials 89-93 &
Aardvarks 93-2003. One of the shiftiest hookers I ever had the pleasure
of sharing the field with. We lost a great soul!! God Bless The Reiland
Family & the Charger Family. Peace, Mr Jim — Rochester, NY
January 26th, 2009 at 20:42
After practice once, one of our guys comes in to the bar in street clothes and tells us he was just at the doctor and his back is f’ed up and he won’t be playing for the rest of the season. Reiland, who was captain at the time, comes in to the bar a little later and is told the news. He looks over at the guy, shrugs, and tell us matter of factly, “at least we got dues out of him.”
DaBottle needs to get on and put his stories here.
January 26th, 2009 at 22:49
So many stories, first and formost Mike was a great man and friend. He spent xtra time with my brother in school because he was my teammate and friend.
When I first met Mike and he found out I was from Syracuse he gave me no choice on who I would play for. “you go to cortland, you play for the rogues” I had no say.
A few fav’s. Mike headbutting new guys to see if they were tough enough. He has a hard head for sure. Mike taking his eye out and Mike Temara asking if he could do that with his other eye.
Mike getting jumped and rolled in the Tip bathroom by Jim Kline & Randy Gosson for more beer money.
We all know Mike was tough but I never thought about the risk he took to play with one eye until he got it poked and it swelled shut in Roch. Of course he had driven, so we left him. Only joking but he had to find a driver. He risked blindness to play and that tells you how much he loved the game. I’ll miss him, he may be gone buy I won’t ever forget him.
January 28th, 2009 at 01:44
There we were, the underdogs, under the lights, in the rain, the first half was winding down. The score was still tied at 0, in one of the hardest hitting games I had ever been in. It was a scrum down, their put in, on our 5 meter line, with our backs against the wall and Flanders yelling for us to hold em. We did. Not only did we hold them but Mike Reiland stole their hook, from their select side Canadian Hooker. The pack then bulldozed their scrum, which included an Eagle lock, into the mud and we escaped that predicament. The game, NE regionals against Boston Rugby in Boston. We didn’t win, but we sure partied like we did, because we gave it our all. As one of our Philosophers said, I bet we’re the last team they’ll ever like to see again. I’ll miss my mate Mike.
Bill Cody
February 2nd, 2009 at 19:30
I’d like to Thank Mike Reiland for my Rugby after college, see I was playing for the BEST college rugby team (Brockport Doggies) against the Syracuse Rogues. After the match Mike put on a heavy duty recruiting job on me at Sutters Mill (maybe because my girlfriend at the time was Gretchen with the DD cans) he told me of the up coming “try outs” for the Rogues. I thought to myself what happens if I get cut and don’t make the team. But without Mike spending the time with me that Saturday afternoon over some cold beer, I may have spent Saturdays in bed with the likes of the Gretchens. Today I try to be the Mike Reiland, still playing and talking to the young guys (with the girls with DD cans). Thanks Mike!
February 4th, 2009 at 16:50
“Gretchen.” Yikes. Maybe DD, but I’m picturing a true butterface.
February 5th, 2009 at 21:49
Mike was a great friend, mentor, and teamate to myself and many others. It was an honor to have known him and play along side of him.
February 5th, 2009 at 22:19
Galutz, Flanders still talks behind your back and Reiland would have loved to punch you in the face!
February 18th, 2009 at 04:40
Mike was my big brother, and some of my fondest memories were witnessing him playing his heart out (pardon the unintended pun) on the rugby field, starting when he was still at Syracuse and the last time seeing him play out here in Colorado (Aspen? a year ago). You all know how much he loved the game, and I want you to know how much you all - and the game - meant to him. I have and laughed and cried reading through your comments tonight - thank you for words and images that have brought me comfort in these days that really suck.
February 18th, 2009 at 20:12
Hey, guys! Thanks for creating this blog! My dad would have loved it, been awkwardly embarrassed but very pleased by it, and probably given you some shit for it over a couple beers.
I miss him very much and love reading your memories; thank you so much for sharing. I would love to come to a game and share a few beers with you all when next I’m up in NY; is there a best way to get in touch? Also, does anyone have a pic/copy of the old Rogues insignia? If so, I would greatly appreciate a copy. Thanks! -Kristin
February 18th, 2009 at 20:35
Right, contact info. might be good… kristin@reiland.net Also, my dad had a website: mike.reiland.net; it’s got some pics, marathon times, etc. and a place to leave comments/memories.
February 19th, 2009 at 17:18
Kristin,
When your in NY drop a note on the blog or notify me on the website and I’ll give you game times and locations. All the best… Mark
February 25th, 2009 at 02:46
Thanks guys for all the wonderful stories you shared. I know they are all true. Mike told me those stories many times.
To me, Mike was a wonderful husband that just happened to play rugby. I’m so glad that I got to meet many of you at all the games I attended. This weekend is the ruggerfest in Fort Lauderdale. I’m going to try to make it. They are going to have banners that say- Welcome To The 2009 Ruggerfest in Memory of Mike Reiland. Before the final game they are going to do a tribute to Mike, so I really want to be there. It has been so hard for me to be without him. He was my rock. I love and miss him so much. I also want to thank you for all the wonderful cards you sent. It meant so much to me during such a difficult time. Lets keep in touch. Carol
February 25th, 2009 at 23:54
Kristin and Carol,
I got a Rogues logo when we made Mike that jersey before you all moved. Now I have to find it. I will email it to you when I do. We are going to try to put together a box frame memorial to Mike in our sponsor bar George O’Dea’s on Tipp Hill that will include some of the items from our memorial get-together we had a couple of weeks ago (I assume you heard about that?).
Kyle
March 9th, 2009 at 00:06
Kyle, Yes I knew about the memorial from Brenda. How nice of all of you. Please keep in touch. I need all the support I can get. Last weekend, I went to the Fort Lauderdale ruggerfest. It was in honor of Mike. I cried all day, but I was glad I made the trip over. The program they put together was wonderful. They also gave me a rugby ball, shirt and a DVD of Mike playing in Aspen. I was there with him and very impressed with that tournament. They also did a moment of silence. There were over 300 people on the field and you could hear a pin drop. Mike was so loved by all that knew him. I’m still waiting for pictures from John. He sent me a letter saying he would send me pictures from your get together. I don’t know if and when I will ever back to Syracuse, but if any of you are in Florida, please let me know. Thanks for all your kind wish’s. And, if you ever hear from Mike Dunn, please let him know I was wondering were the hell he has been.
Carol
March 25th, 2009 at 20:06
Carol,
We collected $360 in Mike’s memory to give to Make-A-Wish. I deposited it yesterday and Nick will be sending out a check to them soon.
Kristin, I emailed you the Rogues logo. Did you get it?
August 16th, 2009 at 02:44
Just found out about Mike’s passing. Somewhere around 1993 mourning the loss of a 19 year old son I decided to try Rugby to take my miond off of things. Boy! die that ever work!!! I knew nothing much of the game . Mike took pity on a 52 year old rookie and gave help where needed. He even volunteered to come to th epitch half an hour early and work on tackling techniques etc with me. I really appreciate that . Mike was an awesome player and a gentleman.
Bob