| Stuart Daily has been
a fixture with the Wisconsin Rugby Club, and the sport all over
the state since coming to Madison in the late 1970s. As a player,
coach, referee, Select Side organizer, executive committee member,
Stuart was involved in the sport at all levels. Though his work
often had him flying around the nation and sometimes the globe,
Stuart often found creative ways to fit in matches as either
a player or referee by ensuring that his meetings just happened
to be occurring within reach of a nearby rugby pitch.
Stuart excelled on the pitch, particularly
for his fitness, kicking for touch or for posts, and in his
droll manner of "helping" referees with their interpretation
of the match in progress. "Don't worry about that offsides,
boys. The ref will catch it," he would say, and invariably,
the ref would. He was also well regarded off the pitch not
only for his tireless efforts on behalf of the sport and his
club, but also for his sardonic sense of humor and friendliness
toward novice players.
When the times were tough for the club, Stuart
was there. When the club needed funds to help defray the costs
of traveling to the Midwest Cup in the late 1980's, Stuart
dashed off letters to Old Boys. When new players came to town,
Stuart was one of the first to make them feel at home, sometimes
even putting them up at his own house. When there was a ref
required or a slot available for a flyhalf, Stuart was there.
In spirit, Stuart will always be with us,
with the club and the sport he loved. |
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