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Overview
This week on the With You! Rugby Podcast, the President of the United States Rugby Foundation, Brian Vizard, spoke with a former coach at Towson State, Loyola College, and the US Naval Academy, and a 2023 US Rugby Hall of Fame inductee, Mike Flanagan. Growing up in Pittsfield Massachusetts, Flanagan dove into his favorite sports through recreational leagues. Moving from California and then back to Massachusetts, Flanagan ended up being exposed to the sport of Rugby during a walk through the “officer’s country” on the ship Flanagan was stationed at. Just as a bumper sticker on an officer's door foreshadowed a storied career in rugby, learn more about Mike Flanagans rugby career, his life after the sport, and more in this episode of With You! Rugby Podcast.
Show Notes
1:19 We want to get to know them a little bit better. tell us a little bit about your upbringing where you grew up and what sports you played as a kid.
2:02 How did you get introduced to the sport of rugby?
let's talk about your coaching. It wasn't long before you got into coaching rugby. Tell us how you went from player to coach.
3:41 We're going to talk about your coaching mainly here. But what position do you play as a player?
5:07 Did you enjoy your time with the Towson State women's team?
5:37 After a coaching stint in Loyola College he embarked on a 27 year career, at the US Naval Academy, how did that opportunity at the Naval Academy come about?
8:20 You had great success, you had great success. So you had an 80% win rate. what do you attribute to that success?
11:06 Tell us about the Prusmack Rugby Center at the Naval Academy and you're involvement in getting that center created.
13:35 When you were coaching to the Navy team, did you go on many tours abroad?
14:39 Did you have a favorite of those tours?
16:40 Of all your rugby memories is there? One that stands above the rest?
17:54 Looking back on your rugby career, what are you most proud of?
19:37 One final question. Mike, what does it mean to you being selected as one of this year's Hall of Fame inductees?
Wrap Up
In this episode of the With You! Rugby Podcast, we heard from Mike Flanagan about his experience coaching rugby, his 27 year career with the US Naval Acadamy, the highs of his career and his lows. Come support Mike and the rest of the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees this September 16, 2023.
