We Woke Up Back in the United States Champions of Northern Italy

By Cory Katzban (C-Train) | 2008–2013 | Fly Half, Fullback, Wing

Spring of 2010, UW Rugby has recently landed in Italy and found ourselves in the heart of Cremona, the second leg of an already unforgettable international tour. I'm young, grossly under-dressed for Italian culture, but fueled to the gills by the boys' general excitement and palpable camaraderie. Skip, Phil, Bruce, Guido, Tyson, all nearing their limit of patience. We've already been battered by a roughneck side from Pavia, hosted by our stunningly handsome exchange rugger, Fabio, but felt good knowing we walked away with our first win abroad. We're also coming off a lesser intense, yet amazingly well spirited first match against the local Cremona men, another win and honestly kind of a routing — word got out to the town after that, literally made the papers.

Now into the last few days of tour, we've been invited by the Mayor of Cremona himself, Oreste Perri — former Olympian canoeist — to enjoy a private musical recital of the most exquisite Stradivarius violins in the world. I believe at the famous Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta. Following the performance, with sweet violin notes tickling our ears, we meandered through the ancient Cremona streets and stopped upon a familiar sight, a pub. Hours, and I mean hours went by as we waited out some inclement weather — wine, whiskey, beer, games of moose, cards, good old-fashioned carousing and roasting each other. Just the best of the best a man can get. The staff were bringing us bread, cheese, crackers, anything to keep our stomachs from turning inside out. Just as my body and mind began a fateful descent, liquid energy struck my lips and started trickling into the side of my flaccid mouth, a teammate ensuring my survival and will to carry on into the depths of the evening.

A day later we finished off the tour with a momentous final match against what may literally have been the entire town of Cremona. Every old boy and their son, their cousin, their filthy brother-in-law, you name it. The sir was so lopsided I'm not sure he could've even been paid to fix a match like this, but nonetheless — the Badgers took home a final W, the perfect tour. We sat there on the Cremona club patio as a golden sun set over the trees, beverage in (left) hand, puffing a fine Italian rolled sigaretta, making memories with our new friends — Bomba, Sirio, Gianluca, and the rest. The discotheque later that night sealed the deal and we woke up back in the United States champions of northern Italy.

While I cannot confirm the chronological veracity of this story, I can assure you all the events occurred and left an enduring impact on my life. This is one of probably a hundred more equally memorable events throughout my time with Badger rugby. Make more and never stop. Also, special shout out and sincere thank you to Lisa and Aussie Ross, legends.