Ryan Munz

UW-Platteville offensive coordinator Ryan Munz is a former Pioneer quarterback who will spend the summer playing for the Fuestenfeldbruck Razorbacks in Germany. The Pioneers scrimmaged the Razorbacks for the first time in 2003, and the two programs have maintained ties. Munz will blog about his experiences throughout his trip and then throughout the 2009 season.

My last game as a Razorback for the 2009 season was played as an away game against the Straubing Spiders. Located near the Czech Republican border, the field was in a nice set up as it was the only one that we had played in with true grandstands. The weather was warm and it was also the 4th of July. Yes, our Independence Day! So I thought it would be nice to send everything out with a bang and cap it off with a Grand Finally that would encompass Rhythm and Booms. And that is what we did! The first touchdown was early as our outside linebacker, Harry, ran an interception the distance. From there, we never looked back. The game finished with a 48 to 0 decision in our favor as the offense came alive due to great field position from two other interceptions by scoring four touchdowns through the air and capping the display off with a 45 yard field goal. The undefeated season continues. In order to make the season complete, we only have to win one out of the next three games to move up a division for next year. However, we are keeping our eyes on another special milestone, an undefeated season!

June is the month that Germany gets the most rain, historically. You know what they say, history seems to keep repeating itsef. For the past week and a half, it has rained for some period of time each day. It is so bad in some places, Austria, that they have declared a state of emergency. Luckily for Coach Dixon and myself, we were able to get out of Vienna before any damage, but we were blessed with three days of non-stop rain while in our travels. Vienna is an extremely historic city as it is best known for many musical greats Mozart, Bethoven, etc. all had roots here. Vienna is also home to the Schonnbrun Palace which was the summer residence of Maria Theresa among others in the Habsburg dynasty.

This past weekend brought about a celebration to the Lende (Fursty's field), as it was the 2009 Huddle Party. This was a time for all players, coaches, family members, friends, and supporters to celebrate with the Razorback Family. And added to the list, was one Coach Larry Dixon. He may be remembered best for working with the Dallas Cowboys organization as well as the late NFL Europe. He will be helping out the Razorbacks for the duration of the season.

I am also priviledged to be taking a trip to Viena, Austria with Coach Dixon. He has been around the game of football his whole life, like many greats, and some of his charisma has already worn off. It will be a very interesting and fun trip as Viena is the capital of Austria and I will have, so you can say, an accomplince to talk football with.

This week also brings upon us one of the biggest games of the season as we square off against the Munich Rangers, who I believe, are currently in second place within the league standings. The nice thing about it is that we will be playing the game on our home turf, with excellent fan support as always behind us giving us the home field advantage. I will keep you updated as the week concludes.

If you are looking for more information on the Razorbacks and Football in Germany please check out our homepage at: www.fursty-razorbacks.de. You can put it into Google and translate it to English. Here you will be able to see pictures as well. If we have a white jersey, I am wearing #14. If we are in red, I am wearing #1. This is in due respect to Mr. Brent Nelson and Mr. Derek Hoff.

No game this weekend as we also have another bye week this week. Our next game is against the Munich Rangers which will be played on the 28th. My parents just left as we wrapped up their eleven-day tour in Germany and Switzerland. We ended the week with a trip to Ulm, which boasts one of the largest buildings in the world if not the largest, in Ulmer Munster (a church). That evening, we were treated to a nice cookout by the Junior team's defensive coordinator Kevin as he rewarded both the Senior and Junior squad for the defenses scoring four touchdowns in one weekend last season. I was just in the right place at the right time, it never hurts to be lucky and score a great meal. Thanks, Kevin.

My parents and I ended the week with a final trip to Munich as we saw the Olympic Stadium in which the 1972 Olympics were held. We also were luckily enough to eat lunch in the Olympic Tower which is located 181 meters above the ground. It also rotated 360 degreed to give you an excellent panaramic view of the Olympic grounds as well as all of Munich. From there, we took a stroll through the English Gardens, which is much like Central Park in New York, but to the tune of 1,000 acres! The final destination was the well-known Hofbrauhaus for a final Bavarian meal before my parents got on the ten-hour flight home. It was truly a great experience for my parents and I don't think that they could believe they were in Germany fulfilling a lifetime dream. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Did you know? The Hofbrauhaus is located on Munzstrasse...obvious translation Munz Street. No lie!

Mom, Dad, and I at the top of the Laufenberg castle	Hiking in the Alps	My roomate Bendl (aka Johnny)

Sunday, we had our second game. We were victorious over the Crusaders 26-0 as we maintain an undefeated season. The Crusaders were formed 15 years ago by a biker group to play football.

We have a few weeks off coming up, which means I have the ability to travel a bit. Luckily enough, my parents are able to join with me. On Monday we made our journey to Switzerland to see Zurich, yes Coach Janus, I said Zurich. For those of you that do not know, Zurich Switzerland is the model in which Lake Zurich, IL was built after, which is Coach Janus' home town. From there, we travel to Laufenberg, Switzerland/Germany. This is were my ancestor's came from and hence my mother's maiden name. From there, we traveled through the coveted Black Forest made famous for the CooCoo Clocks carved from there timber. We also traveled to Neuschwanstien, a castle which was the blue print for Walt Disney Castle and Zujpitze, the tallest peak in Germany.

It has been very busy, but also very exciting. The fun does not stop there as we are going to visit the tallest church in the world in Ulm as well as finish in Munich with the Olympic Park, English Garden, etc. Pictures will be coming shortly...

I have been in Germany now for four days and the people of Fursty and Emring has been nothing but helpfull. Not only have I been welcomed into the community by all that I meet, I am also picking up on a bit of the Baravian dialect. I had my first game on Sunday with the Razorbacks. The ending result was great as we won 37 to 13, but personally, I was a bit rusty the first half as I accounted for two interceptions and one fumble as the game was tied 7 to 7 at the half. However, the tin man game along with oil to shake out all the rust that I have acquired over the past two years. I finished with two TD passes and two rushing, but more importantly kept the streak of a perfect season for the Razorbacks alive as we are now 4-0. It was also brought to my attention that the Razorbacks have not lost a game in two years dating back to the 2007 season. They have a lot of tradition with the program as well as pride. This is the one thing that impresses me about this ball team. As an outsider looking in, I would tell within the first five minutes of my first practice that they wear red and silver proudly and anytime they put on a Razorback uniform, they respect the honor that comes along with it.

The food here is great! I have had Schnitzel, Bacon, Salad, Cheese Noodles, Turkish cuisine, ice cream, pudding, hamburger, just to name a few. All of it was excellent! Full of flavor and great for the mind, body, and soul.

Did you know? American football was played in Fursty for over fifty years. The American soldiers used the same field that is our home field when they were station in Germany. At this time they were called the Fursty Eagles.

Just checked into Madison Area airport awaiting my departure to Chicago O'Hare for Munich Germany. Coach Wagner treated me to a send off meal at Quaker Steak and Lube. It will be the last meal without an international flavor for 7 weeks! Good thing I decided on wings.

This will be my first time traveling alone. The anxiety is a bit high for the one reason of the plane being on time so I can catch my connecting flight. It just so happens at this exact moment they just announced a cancallation flight to Milwaukee...doesn't help the nerves at all. The flight is still on time without a cloud in the sky. Kind of an odd cancellation. I cannot imagine that my first game is only four days away.

I will be playing quarterback for the Fursty Razorbacks semi-pro organization. American football in Germany! Who would have thought a kid from the little ol' town of Highland, WI would be up to such a journey. I will keep you posted throughout the next seven weeks. "Its a great day to be a Pioneer."