Spring Season Final Match

And Sad News About Old Boy Russell Sage

Season Ends Against Aviators

The CRC-Griffins developmental squad will finish the spring season on the road against the Ohio Aviators Saturday, May 2 at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis.

The test match will kickoff at 12 noon EST (11 a.m. Chicago time) against an Aviator Academy team of young players who want to advance in the rugby world.

“This team aims to provide an increased opportunity for meaningful match playing minutes as a stepping stone to USA Rugby Junior National Teams (u18, u20, u23) and the Collegiate All-Americans,” according to the Aviators website.

The Griffins played at Kuntz Stadium last year in the national D1 club championship semifinal against Old Blue. That game was interrupted when a dangerous thunderstorm with a tornado watch moved into the area.

Kuntz is located at 1502 W. 16th St.

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^{Old Boy Russell Sage Dies}

Old Boy Russell Sage has passed away after a difficult struggle with MDS, a blood disorder that can lead to a form of leukemia.

Russell died April 21 at Moffet Cancer Center in Tampa where he had been receiving experimental treatments for the past several years. He was 72.

His wife, Tracy, said he died peacefully and was not suffering. He had contracted several infections and was not able to fight them off.

“He was a tough person and lived longer than his physicians said he would,” she said.

His son, Logan, said Russell was a great father who encouraged him in rugby and his college studies. Logan plays while attending the University of South Florida where he is studying engineering. The two of them participated in the Griffin golf outings of 2024 and 2022.

Sometimes known as “Sauce,” Russ started playing for the Griffins in 1981 at center and continued for about 12 years. He was a major contributor to the Griffins on and off the field, ready to play and ready to party.

“Russ was a great teammate and a hard player who you could always depend on,” recalled Old Boy Charlie Byrne, former Griffin coach. “I remember him being named as ‘Player of the Match’ even in his later playing days.”

A creative and inventive person, Russ became a design engineer, developing medical devices for such companies as Abbott Laboratories. He also began his own company to create snowmobile accessories and was a happy snowmobiler during the winter months.

He also built his own house on the Chain-o-Lakes and spent weekends cruising the lakes with his family in their runabout. That continued after Russ and Tracy moved to Florida and purchased a 30 foot power boat.

“We had many great times and we have many great memories,” Tracy said.

A Celebration of Life for Russ will be held in Chicago this summer, date and location to be announced.

Logan and Russ