To all Truman Rugby Alumni and Friends,

It is with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart that I announce the death of alumni Christian McKeel.

Christian died early Monday morning from an apparent drug overdose. (No details are available at this time. However, Christian was recovering from recent shoulder surgery, and his his death may have been associated with the use pain-killers combined with alcohol.  - Bill Sexton)

Christian was a good friend and a rugby man until his passing. He spent the day on Saturday assisting the Santa Monica Youth Rugby program in a game of 
touch on the beach.

Christian attended Truman State from Manhattan Beach, California. (I am still unclear how he got to Kirksville.) It was at Truman that like most of us learned to play rugby for the first time. He graduated from Truman State with an CPA and MBA in 2002. After college he returned to his roots in Southern California where he continued his rugby playing for the Santa Monica Rugby Club.

Christian was a frequent first team contributor at wing and center despite his sprightly size his ferocity kept him in the side. While he battled injuries throughout his career, he was a club man through and through. (I don't believe that he ever missed a home game and didn't miss very many away games either.)

One of my favorite Christian memories was of a game 3 years ago at Riverside. Christian had just returned to the club from injury and was playing his way back into shape on the second side. Just after half time Riverside scored a short-range try and as they did they started to scuffle with the Santa Monica hooker. The rest of the Santa Monica team stood around and watched as 2 islanders pummeled this poor guy. Then Christian jumped in and saved the kid. The team kept standing around, as I as coach bolted from the far sideline to his aid. By the time anyone got there it was 15 giant islanders on Christian. As I approached I saw their prop haul off and kick him. I was sure that when I got to him I'd find him, bruised beaten and battered with a size 15 shoe print in his forehead, but he was no worse for wear and didn't have a mark on him. He said later, "Lucky I bent over at the waist. I could see everything that was coming and they didn't even really land a punch. That kick, never even hit me, I saw it coming from a mile away and blocked it like a ninja."

Christian was never scared of anyone or anything no matter how tough the tasked seemed.

Services are scheduled for Saturday, January 13 in Carson, CA. At this time I don't have any further details at this time, but I will keep everyone updated as they become available.

Doug Bratcher

Words fail me, and I am filled with a deep sadness at Christian's untimely passing.  He was such a funny and loyal guy, and we all loved him.  And he loved Truman Rugby and wore his Truman jersey often and proudly.  No one is really sure how Christian got from southern California to Kirksville, Missouri but I recall something about a scholarship.  He was no dummy and completed his degree and CPA certification and got a good job when he returned to So Cal.  Likewise, I am not sure how Christian got involved in rugby - he showed up at the end of a season with some old football shoes and great athletic ability.  Like most of us, he was hooked right away.  I think the athleticism of rugby combined with the open acceptance and comraderie of rugby, combined with Christian's outgoing personality and love of a good party, set the hook.  Christian was known for "fighting above his weight".  He had the knack for accelerating through a tackle, we relished the opportunity to put a big hit on an opposing player - and on occasion, one of his mates in training (Oops, wink-wink!).  He was a true  team player who played through pain, never complained and never gave less than 110%.  After moving back to So Cal, he traveled back to alumni games so see everyone and to taunt undergraduate players.

Please see the photo below of Christian wearing his Truman jersey, with Matt Strangeway (another Truman Alum) and myself at the USA 7s in Los Angeles in February 2006 (click on photos for a larger version).

I was looking forward to seeing Christian this year's event in San Diego.  He will be missed.

We should always be thankful for and aware of our friends and loved ones, and the relationships that we have.  All too quickly tragedy can strike and they can be gone forever.

Bill Sexton