Dear Iowa Rugby,
I have played rugby with a teammate named Wally Chambers for the last 2 years. Tricia and I have spoken with him and his wife many times after games but have never really discussed our past. 2 weeks ago we spent the weekend in Flagstaff at a weekend rugby tournament and Tricia and Deb (Walley's wife) got into a conversation about where I started playing rugby. Last night we had a scrimmage against the ASU rugby team and were having a beer afterwards. Wally and I were enjoying a cold one and Deb was nearby playing with their 2 year old daughter when Wally asked me what years I played at Iowa. I told him 1990-1995. He asked me if I knew a kid named Brad Kuta. My jaw dropped to the ground when I heard the name. Wally explained that Brad was the brother of Deb. We spoke about Brad and how the loss has affected their life and the life of their father. I told here about the Brad Kuta Award and how his loss had greatly affected many of us. I also explained the concept of the Brad Kuta Award. By this time Deb was crying at the fact her brother had not been forgotten and she was not aware of the award and she did not think her father knew about it either. In my experience with my brother being killed by a drunk driver at 17. I could see what she and her father were still dealing with. To this day my parents have a fear that my brother will be forgotten by his friends. It is an event when my mother calls me to tell me about flowers or items that have been placed on his grave and she talks about, and try's to figure who put them there. It truly makes her happy knowing he has not been forgotten. I could see this in Debra who was thrilled to hear me talk about Brad and the award and the Iowa Rugby team. I'm sure she will pass this on to her father. She met a player who stepped on the same field with her brother. I asked you to do this for Deb and the Kuta family. If you met Brad and know anything about the award or have an experience to tell or if you just knew Brad. Put it in an e-mail and I will pass it on to here and let her know that her brother is still a part of not only the Iowa Rugby Team but every team that holds a player from Iowa. |
