In 2010, the Lakefront 7s was honored to be included in Championship Cup Series (CCS) organized across the country by USA Sevens LLC

In the process of complying with CCS specifications, we made significant improvements in the quality of our event and were fortunate to work closely with USA Sevens staff as well as other elite rugby sevens tournaments across the country.

Ray Peterson, Head of Strategic Development at USA Sevens, attended the 2010 Lakefront 7s and provided an excellent tournament report with very detailed feedback. We are using this feedback to make even more improvements for the 2011 Lakefront 7s.

Today we received the unfortunate news (see transcript below) that the CCS has been cancelled indefinitely. While not a crushing blow to the Milwaukee Rugby Sevens Association and the 29-year tradition of the Lakefront 7s, we had looked forward to growing in step with the CCS and its members/tournaments and continuing to offer the USA Sevens-sponsored cash prize to the winner of the CSS bracket.

As a result, the Men’s Midwest Qualifier bracket will NOT be a CCS-qualifying event. Prize money associated with the CCS in 2010 is not available at the 2011 Lakefront 7s nor for the foreseeable future.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ray and everyone at USA Sevens for their hard work organizing the CCS over the last two years and wish them luck with their Collegiate Rugby Championship and Las Vegas Invitational events.

Sincerely,
Victor Drover
Tournament Director
2011 Lakefront 7s

[The following is an email transcript]

From:     Peterson, Ray
Subject:     CCS Tournament Administrators
Date:     March 7, 2011 1:06:27 PM CST

The Championship Cup Series has been cancelled going forward.  USA Sevens deeply appreciates the participation over the past two years of all the tournaments that comprised the Series.

The original objective of the CCS was to upgrade the Elite level of each tournament and the teams involved to a point where TV would look favorably at them as content fill.  Secondarily, the geographic spread would provide certain sponsors with diverse sampling opportunities, if required.

The tremendous response to both the Collegiate Rugby Championship Invitational and the Las Vegas Invitational (now the largest rugby tournament in the United States) has necessitated a refocusing of our assets.  The partnership with NBC has delivered us the TV cornerstone we sought and they are focusing on our two major assets.  The Elite and Collegiate elements of the LVI satisfies their need for any additional content.  The prize money allocated to the CCS will be redirected to these assets.

On a personal note, I applaud the passion each of you has for the game and the tournaments you manage.  I believe I attended every one at least once and enjoyed every minute, but mostly I enjoyed meeting you and so many involved with you.  I wish you all the very best and look forward to seeing you often in the future.

Sincerely,
Ray Peterson