Per prior posted emails the TRU has sought nominations for the Board position of TRU Men’s Electoral Representative. The position has a three year term and will take office at the end of the upcoming TRU Summer Meeting as newly elected Board members are confirmed.
The posting was left open for thirty days. During that time three names were put forward as candidates and confirmed with the support of their home club.
The three names for consideration are:
1. Brett Babineaux – Bay Area Rugby Club
2. Ted Hill – Dallas Harlequins
3. Michael Norton – Austin RFC
At the end of the review period, the President of TRU Mens Member Clubs in good standing will be able to cast their vote with their respective Divisional Secretary who will then forward the results to TRU Discipline Director, Scot Courtney, who will announce the results and a run-off if necessary.
1. Brett Babineaux
Objective
Utilize my 22 years of management skills and 14 years of playing rugby to improve the Texas Rugby Union. As an owner operator of a business I am challenged regularly to make choices that are not based on public preference, but rather for the betterment of the organization and future success for everyone involved. This key attribute I believe will make me a good choice for your vote as TRU Electoral Representative.
Rugby Experience
Beaumont Rugby Football Club – Beaumont Tx
Player & Officer – 09/96-03/00
Played first season as #11 or 14.
First season was awarded Rookie of the Year..
Second season I was nominated and voted to Match Secretary.
Third season I was nominated and voted to Vice President.
Four season I was nominated and voted to President.
Four season I was the acting Player Coach.
Through my four seasons with Beaumont I played #11, 12, 13, 14 & 15.
Bay Area Rugby Club – La Port Tx
Player & Officer – 09/00-Present Began to play for BARC to experience rugby at a higher level and play for a rugby coach.
I continued to reside in Beaumont while playing with BARC.
First two seasons I played #13 & 15.
Third season I was nominated and voted to Match Secretary.
Four season I was nominated and voted to Vice President.
Fifth season I was nominated and voted to President.
2003 & 2004 I played for the Texas Select Over 35 in Aspen.
During my time with BARC I have help create several positions within our club for growth and net working with our former players.
Field equipment manager.
Recruiting Manager.
Alumni Liaison. During my time with BARC we lost our long time coach. I assisted in locating coaching for us that had rugby coaching experience.
During my tenure with BARC I have played every position with exception to the front row.
I currently am an active player and one of the oldest players.
Gypsy Rugby Club – USA & Canada
Player – 11/04-Present
Gypsy Rugby is a select side rugby club made of players from across the USA and Canada.
I have played with them in tournaments such as Battleship Mobile Al, St. Paddy’s Savannah Ga and Maggot Fest Missoula Mo.
I have been honored to play with many super league players and high level players from all divisions.
Playing with the Gypsy’s I have played against current and former professional rugby players from Canada and New Zealand.
Playing with the Gypsy’s I had the honor of playing Life Rugby Club and beating them to advance to the finals of a tournament.
11/09 I was honored as the MVP of Battleship whilst playing for the Gypsy’s.
My fellow Gypsy’s honored me with an award from the club as the MVP for the same tournament.
Our next tour is Steamboat Cowpie.
My current position with the Gypsy’s is #6.
Profession
Air Comfort Inc. / Owner Operator 05/88-Present
22 years of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) and management experience.
Assertive, self-motivated, goal-oriented, organized and efficient.
A Flexible, Cooperative, hard worker, team player and reliable.
A good morale builder.
Associate Degree in HVAC from LIT.
I manage 45-100 employees within three companies.
I perform all HVAC custom design for marine, offshore, industrial and design build projects.
I manage all offshore and marine projects.
HVAC License holder in Tx, La & Al.
2. Ted Hill
CLUBS
1991 -1995
Founding President of Baylor University Rugby Football Club
Served as Vice President and Team Captain
Winner of BURFC MVP Award
Awarded Baylor University’s ‘Leadership Award’
TRU Selects
Negotiated with Baylor to allow rugby back on campus after a Life Time Ban 15 years prior to 1991.
Summers 1992 – 1995
Dallas Harlequins RFC 7’s
2000 – 2008
Member of Dallas RFC
Served as Club Vice President, Club President, Team Captain
Won Dallas Cup twice for Outstanding Service to the Club
Forward of the Year
2 Time West RU Champions
2 Time TRU Champion
Organized trainings, travel arrangements, fund raising, and other important tasks to running a club
2009 – 2010 (current)
Member of Dallas Harlequins RFC
Winner of the President’s Award
General volunteer at trainings, officer meetings, games, championship events, and towards team goals.
UNIONS
2007 – 2010 (current)
TRU Men’s Representative
TRU High Performance Manager Collegiates, U 17, and U 19.
WRU Collegiate Champs Two Years
U 19 Rocky Mnt Challenge Runner Up
U 17 Rocky Mnt Challenge Runner Up
Managed Teams to stay under budget and while keeping players cost low
Helped design programs to maximum player retention
2008 – 2010 (current)
West Rugby Union Convener of Competitions
Organized and ran numerous West Championship events at the Youth, Collegiate, and Cub Level (Men and Women). Help facilitate events in Greeley Colorado, Tulsa Oklahoma, Baton Rouge Louisiana, Fort Worth Texas, Dallas Texas. Created new procedures to speed up check in, help reduce ref abuse, and ease burden on teams and officials.
MISC:
Chair Dallas Ducks Unlimited Chapter
Dallas HR Sponsorship Committee
Habitat for Humanity Core Volunteer
Graduated Baylor University 1995 & SMU Certification in Leadership 2010
3. Michael Norton
Summary
Michael Norton began with Ole Miss Rugby in 1985 and has been part the Rugby community ever since. He’s been a member of the Rugby clubs of Ole Miss, Tulane, New Orleans and now Austin. Very active in the Men’s club, two years ago he took on coaching the Austin Area High School club and has assisted Bill Taute with the Central Texas High School HP side. As one of the Youth representatives for the Austin Blacks he has worked to ensure youth players move to the next level whether it be to the collegiate level or otherwise.