Longtime Kansas City Junior Blues Head Coach Eddie Cummings is hanging it up, sort of.

Cummings, who has coached the Junior Blues for 19 years, is stepping back and will see his role taken over by his son, Casey.

"I won't be completely gone," said Cummings. "I will be around to help, but the team is in very good hands."

A true gentleman of the sport, Cummings has mentored hundreds of young men in the game, including several who have gone on to become national team players, professionals, coaches, and successful professionals.

The Junior Blues finished 7th in Tier 2 and had a bit of rough luck in doing so. They lost their 5th/6th semifinal on the final play of the game when a kick to touch to end the game didn't make touch and Phoenix Alpharetta was able to score to win the game 21-20. But they rebounded to defeat Eastside 38-18 to finish 7th.

"That game was a bit of a kick in the teeth but it's all a learning experience," said Cummings. "We came back after that and got the win and that's a good way to go out."

Hugely respected in the game, Eddie Cummings has made sure that the KC Jr. Blues program continues even as he moves on. Certainly Kansas City rugby is better thanks to his contributions.