First Practice Monday May 21st.
May 9, 2012 Leave a comment
Chicago Lions Sevens Update – Vegas 2012
February 14, 2012 Leave a comment
Chicago Lions Sevens Las Vegas 2012
(Picture above top row left to right) Porter, Ty Elkins, Razor Robertson, Nate Augspurger, Scott Peterson, Goose Degutes, Aaron Manheimer, Max Narewski, Patrick O’rieilly
(Front row left to right) Joe Aleki, Eddie Bluemel (Captn), Mark Roberts, Mike Barry, Jeremy Nash, Jordan Highberger, Mike Palm (Trainer)
The Lions Sevens team got off to a rocky Thursday morning losing to the Spanish National Team (they regularly beat the USA) 31-5. The Spanish Team had spent the previous 3 months training together and were very fit and fast.
In the afternoon the Lions bounced back against Bermuda beating them 33-0.
Friday morning the Lions finished their pool by playing Peru, beating them 38-0. With Spain winning all their games the Lions finished 2nd in the pool and advanced to the Cup competition. The Lions drew Chile in the Quarterfinals. Chile proved to be a very physical side. The Lions were on the back foot for much of the game and lost 24-7. Losing the Quarterfinal meant the Lions were now playing for the Plate (5th Place). Friday afternoon they Played Romania in another tough physical encounter and were again bested. I’m sorry, I don’t know what the score was.
This is the first time that the Lions Sevens Team has played against national teams. It was great experience to play against teams of this caliber after completely dominating the domestic competition in Las Vegas last year.
The Lions Sevens Team would like to thank all the fans, supporters, sponsors, Davenport University, GVSU Indoor Facility, and all individuals that helped out. Special thanks go out to Dick Smith, Lisa and the Keith Brown Memorial Foundation, Bob MacArthur, Tony Rio, Bobby Bloomfield, Kruger Van Biljon, Patrick O’reilly, Ethan Porter (Asst. Manager), Lucas Theim (injured), MC Laubscher (injured), Eddy Long, Mike Harriet, Tanner, Jason Braid, Evan Haim and his Band of Merry Pranksters, and all the other Lions that came out to practice and played in the poker tournament. And, of course, our amazing sponsors!
Lions in their New Swag
Mark Roberts & Jeremy Nash Sporting the new Hammer Nutrition Shirts
Scott "Razor" Robertson at the Athletes' Performance Recovery Tent
Here is the game vs. Peru
Schedule for Elite Sevens Division in Las Vegas LVI
January 25, 2012 Leave a comment
 All American Eloff & Tiberio in action for the Lions Elite 7s Pools, Schedule Set |
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This tournament will be played outside the stadium until the final. This will be the first time the Lions have played against formal National Teams. All matches are to be played on Pitch 5 (directly west of Sam Boyd Stadium)
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
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New Sponsor – Penton Media, Inc.
June 5, 2011 Leave a comment
The Chicago Lions Sevens Team would like to announce their latest sponsor. Thank you!
About Penton Media:
Whether helping pilots understand the latest aviation protocols, connecting natural products manufacturers to the most cost effective ingredient suppliers, or keeping engineers up-to-date on new efficient designs, Penton’s leading business information brands are the vital source for business. We are the heart of our markets. At Penton, we are all about providing relevant information and connections. Our solutions are tailored to the needs of our audience, which is why it takes so many forms – digital, print, live events. While longevity doesn’t necessarily correlate to success, the dozens of Penton brands in 17 distinct markets do have long embedded traditions of editors, sales, and service personnel who really live their markets. And nurturing such talent has been a hallmark of Penton for decades. Today, more than six million professionals rely on Penton products for the information needed to compete and the connections needed to succeed.
— Sharon Rowlands, Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Lions Announce Sponsors for 2011 Season
March 22, 2011 Leave a comment
Links to Our Amazing Sponsors:
Lions Game Footage from CCS Las Vegas 2011
March 13, 2011 Leave a comment
Check out the PLAYLIST on YouTube.
Lions storm to Challenge Cup Series Championship!
February 28, 2011 1 Comment
Chicago Lions Sevens CCS Las Vegas 2011
Las Vegas, NV- Lions storm to Challenge Cup Series Championship
The Chicago Lions Sevens program traveled to Las Vegas with redemption of a 31-7 final loss last year on their minds. Their on-field performance showed that they would not suffer 2 straight finals losses in Vegas.
Contributions came from every member of the squad, as stellar defense led them to a title. With an aggregate score of 162-21, the Lions team defense separated them from their opponents. In fact, it took till the semi finals for anybody to breakthrough the Lion’s wall and score a try. Led by team captain Eddie “Serious Cat” Bluemel, the Lions defense was organized, aggressive and virtually error free over 5 games.
Pool play started with a familiar opponent, 1823 of Columbus Ohio. The Lions offense started slow, but the defense prevented 1823 from leaving their half of the field for all of the first half and most of the 2nd. Stout defense would lead to a brace of tries apiece for Mark Roberts and Matthew DeGutes, and a try each to Scott Peterson and Lucas Thiem(playing in his first-ever sevens tournament). All the tries were converted save a lone miss from Peterson, Lions win 40-0.
Due to a last minute cancellation by the Dallas Harlequins RFC, the Lions would be without a 2nd pool game and awaited OMBAC, who played 1823 first. The theme against OMBAC would again be defense, as the Lions kept their score sheet clean and would again limit the amount of time their opponents would have the ball across the halfway line. Once again DeGutes and Roberts would cross the whitewash, followed by Jeremy Nash and Lucas Thiem. All the tries were converted to leave the tally at 28-0 in favor of the Lions.
The second day brought the knockout rounds, with the Lions opening their day with a quarterfinal matchup against the East Palo Alto Razorbacks. Despite a rocky offensive start, the Lions would prevent EPA from getting any real moment. The Lions definitely left a few tries on the field in the first half, but an early try by Mickey Franco and yet another try by Mark Roberts would see the Lions leading 14-0 in the second half. An excellent quick hands pass under pressure by Tommy Dolan put the ball at Nash’s feet who scooped the ball up and coasted to the try zone for the nail in the coffin. The Lions would advance to the Semis without having given up a try, defeating EPA 21-0.
In the semi-finals, the Lions would meet a familiar foe in the Denver Barbarians. During the qualification process, the Lions and Barbos met up in the final of the Heartland 7s tournament in Kansas City. That day in KC the lions ran away from the Barbos in the second half to win the qualifier and bring home a $1000.00 dollar check.
The game started poorly for the Lions. While the Lions were busy arguing a call with the referee(shocking since Patrick “Boomer” Twardak was not yet on the field), the Barbarians quick tapped a penalty and executed a simple kick and chase, leading to the first try the Lions gave up in the tournament.
However, the Lions response would be swift and severe. After a quick refocusing, Mark Roberts tallied another try, and another, then Nash. With a lead going into the second half, the Lions kept the pedal to the metal. Another try by Peterson, followed by Nash dotting down twice more to close out the game. Final score 40-7.
As in the semi final, the Lions would face a familiar opponent in the final in Belmont Shore. The history between the 2 teams up to this point had been one sided, with Shore winning recent matchups in a national quarter final as well as defeating the Lions last year in this same tournament.
In the early going, Nash opened up the Lions scoring account with an excellent run, slicing through a gap in the line, beating the sweeper and outpacing another Shore defender to the line. Shore would respond with a side to side movement that would lead them to dot down between the posts and equalize the score. Roberts soon found the corner of the try zone after a blistering run down the sideline by Degutes. Roberts followed his score with a tough conversion from the sideline. Halftime would see the Lions leading 14-7, hardly a comfortable margin given their history versus Belmont.
Not satisfied with his unfinished run in the first half, DeGutes would once again find space on the sideline and turn on the gas. This time there was no stopping him as he centered the ball between the posts.
Goose & the Speed Bump
Soon after, a period of sustained defensive pressure led to a Belmont turnover. The Lions worked the ball up the field, side to side in a methodical fashion leading to an overload well executed by Dolan and Nash, with Nash scoring under the posts to extend the lead.
With victory at hand, the Lions perhaps let off the gas a bit allowing Belmont to close the gap with a long try. Determined to finish strong, the Lions took the ensuing kickoff and moved the ball upfield. A seam in the Shore defense was then exploited by Boomer, who with some smart dummying drew in his defenders and put Thiem away, raising the final score to 33-14. Also of note in the final, and throughout the weekend, was the consistent contribution of Jordan Highberger. He regularly broke the line on offense and kept opponents’ speedsters in check on both days.
A big thanks goes out from the Lions squad to their management team, Coach Aaron Manheimer, Team Manager Patrick O’Reilly, Team Trainer Jeff Farnsworth, whose time was generously donated by Athletico, one of the Lions premier sponsors, and most importantly the Lions supporters on the side line in Vegas!
Lions Squad: Tommy Dolan, Jeremy Nash, Scott Peterson, Eddie Bluemel(c), Mark Roberts, Matthew Degutes, Mickey Franco, Lucas Thiem, Jordan Highberger, Patrick “Boomer” Twardak, Austin Britts, Alistair Miller
Poker Tournament, Training, and Scrimmage Schedule Up to Vegas
January 11, 2011 Leave a comment
Some important upcoming dates:
January 15th Poker Fundraiser Tournament
No-Limit Texas Hold `Em Tournament
Cards Dealt at 7:00pm
4040 N. Kedzie Chicago, IL 60618
$100 Buy-in $25 Re-buy within first hour
Jan. 16th Outdoor Practice 9:00am-10:30am at Foster and Lake Shore Drive Turf Field just south of Foster
View Larger Map
January 21st Friday 11pm Scrimmage at the Max
Details posted below.
January 23rd Practice TBD
January 29th Scrimmage @ BGSU 8pm-11pm
February 6th Practice @ Mercy Home Sports Complex 219 S. Aberdeen
February 9th Leave for Vegas…
Spirit Airlines to Vegas
Chicago Lions Partner with Hammer Nutrition
August 5, 2010 Leave a comment
In an effort to find the best fuel for their sevens tournaments the Lions have partnered with premier endurance fuel brand Hammer Nutrition. You can support the Lions and receive a discount by using:
http://www.hammernutrition.com/affiliates/143206
You will receive a 15% discount on your order and the Lions will receive Hammer credit towards their next purchase.
Phase I of Sevens Workout Almost Complete.
June 12, 2010
Phase II coming out next week. Here are the workout videos for the first two workouts.
Day 1
Day 2
