Paul “Mitch” Micciche

Lock, #8

1975-1985

My Rugby Life

When did you first learn about rugby?

First learned about rugby in Rochester from Mike “Lumpy” Lambers (rest his soul) at Thirsty’s Bar back in 1975.  Mike told me about indoor Aardvark practices at the U of R and suggested that I would enjoy the company of the lads and get some first rate coaching from Alan Combey and Keith Walmsley (rest his soul).

Started playing in 1975 as a C-side tight head prop.

  • First Aardvark to score a try against a team from the UK (home match versus Birmingham University, Fall 1980).
  • Progressed from Prop (A side), to Lock (A side), to #8 (A side) in a seven-year span.
  • Played five matches during first Aardvark tour of the UK (1980).
  • Played on B side Fall 1975 that went unscored upon against every B side opponent.
  • Benefitted from 1st-rate coaching from Alan Combey, Keith Walmsley, Viv Booker, and Rob Shea.

Retired in 1985 to travel to Michigan for graduate studies.

  • Searching property listings and discovering the parcel that became Aardvark Park
  • After-game parties at various park lodges where we had hot food, cold beer and we sang ourselves hoarse
  • Meeting and bonding with some of the most unforgettable characters one could hope to meet.

Currently retired from 28 years of environmental geology consulting and now helping my wife Jacky to maintain our 3-acre mini-estate in Marion NY, where we grow fruits, flowers, and vegetables, and hope to complete construction of a 64-panel solar array and an in-ground lap pool. Vacationed in Africa in summer 2021, and heading to Alaska in 2022.