{"id":2445808,"date":"2019-06-27T22:56:00","date_gmt":"2019-06-28T04:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/ben-mitchell-takes-over-as-aspen-rugby-coach\/"},"modified":"2019-06-27T22:56:00","modified_gmt":"2019-06-28T04:56:00","slug":"major-league-rugby-star-ben-mitchell-takes-over-as-aspen-rugby-club-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/local-news\/major-league-rugby-star-ben-mitchell-takes-over-as-aspen-rugby-club-coach\/","title":{"rendered":"Major League Rugby star Ben Mitchell takes over as Aspen rugby club coach"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.7472222222222\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-308635-598\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/06\/rugby-atd-062819-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/06\/rugby-atd-062819-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | First year Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club coach Ben Mitchell poses for a photo on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"11\">\n<p><strong>First year Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club coach Ben Mitchell poses for a photo on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/06\/rugby-atd-062819-1.jpg\" alt=\"First year Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club coach Ben Mitchell poses for a photo on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/06\/rugby-atd-062819-1-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/06\/rugby-atd-062819-1-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club practices on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"11\">\n<p><strong>The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club practices on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/06\/rugby-atd-062819-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club practices on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/06\/rugby-atd-062819-1-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/06\/rugby-atd-062819-1-2.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club practices on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"11\">\n<p><strong>The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club practices on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/06\/rugby-atd-062819-1-2.jpg\" alt=\"The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club practices on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/06\/rugby-atd-062819-1-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/06\/rugby-atd-062819-1-3.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club practices on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"11\">\n<p><strong>The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club practices on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/06\/rugby-atd-062819-1-3.jpg\" alt=\"The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club practices on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/ben-mitchell-takes-over-as-aspen-rugby-coach\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/ben-mitchell-takes-over-as-aspen-rugby-coach\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText DropCap\">Without the Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club, Ben Mitchell might not be playing professional rugby. After all, it was at Ruggerfest a few years back that he was spotted by some recruiters and invited to take part in the newly formed Major League Rugby.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI\u2019m fortunate that I was here at the right time and got spotted at the right time and got into the league at the right time,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cIt\u2019s a club that\u2019s given me a lot over the last few years. It was an opportunity that came up and I kind of jumped at it and really wanted to give back and help the next crop of guys coming through.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">That opportunity was to be the next coach for the Aspen Gents. Taking over for Will Herborn this summer, Mitchell brings an imposing presence \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.austineliterugby.com\/our-team\/ben-mitchell\/\">he\u2019s listed as being 6-foot-7, 255 pounds<\/a> \u2014 as well as quite the background in the sport. Born in England before moving to Ireland when he was 6, rugby has been a major part of the 25-year-old\u2019s life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">He\u2019s played at just about every level there is, and has been a central piece of the Austin Elite Rugby franchise, one of the founding members of MLR, which just finished its second season. Mitchell was named <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmlr.com\/news\/major-league-rugby-announces-first-and-second-all-mlr-teams-award-winners-for-2019\/\">second team all-MLR earlier this week<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cHe certainly is an authoritarian figure,\u201d longtime Aspen assistant coach Cameron McIntyre said. \u201cHe was a very knowledgeable player before he had this pro gig. But he\u2019s also able to give strong, positive direction. He has really not left much to guess. \u2026 These guys are going to benefit greatly by the end of the summer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Mitchell first played with the Gents in 2016 and returned in 2017. He sat out most of the 2018 summer season but did take part in September\u2019s Ruggerfest tournament, helping lead the Gents to their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/gents-rally-hold-off-misfits-to-win-ruggerfest\/\">first title in their home tourney since 2015<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Limited as a player because of his professional obligations, getting the chance to coach the Gents this summer was almost too good to be true.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt\u2019s a great honor to coach the Gentlemen. There is a lot of history and a lot of pride in this club and a lot of great players have played for this club,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cLast summer I wasn\u2019t playing either, and I wasn\u2019t really coaching and I wasn\u2019t fully involved with the team and I didn\u2019t really like it. Whereas this year I can get back involved again. I still like to be considered as one of the lads. I\u2019m not just like the big boss, I\u2019m still one of the boys and that\u2019s what I really love.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Aspen is off to a 3-0 start this summer with wins over the Misfits, Steamboat Springs and Glenwood Springs. The Gents will host Breckenridge at 1 p.m. Saturday in their home opener at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. The following weekend, the Gents will host Vail, which for a second straight summer looks to be the class of the Rocky Mountain Rugby league.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt\u2019s probably a bit of a younger side than we\u2019ve had the last few years,\u201d Mitchell said of this year\u2019s Aspen side. \u201cBut that\u2019s a good challenge as a coach to bring on a few raw players and try to develop them. At the same time we still have some super talented guys and guys with massive potential.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Saturday\u2019s game against Breckenridge will be the first in Aspen since club president Jerome Hatem <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/led-by-rugby-community-jerome-hatem-remembered-at-monday-memorial\/\">died in a snowmobiling accident earlier this month<\/a>, just before the first game of the season. McIntyre, who is helping set up the field this weekend, something Hatem usually did, said the club is in the process of electing a new president.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt\u2019s hard. We are trying to find our way again,\u201d McIntyre said. \u201cIt\u2019s difficult. Within the members of the club and the board members, we have to redefine our roles and make sure we can try to move on and make the legacy continue.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Tagline\"><a href=\"mailto:acolbert@aspentimes.com\">acolbert@aspentimes.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/ben-mitchell-takes-over-as-aspen-rugby-coach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: The Aspen Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>First year Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club coach Ben Mitchell poses for a photo on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club practices on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Rio Grande Park. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)Austin Colbert\/The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2445808","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-20 12:44:19","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSPN The Valley&#039;s Quality Rock","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2445808","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2445808"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2445808\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2445808"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2445808"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2445808"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}