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Show by Jim Smedley Jl ' D Q f5. 'Alamo' Dave Mueller becomes a part of Park City history "Ya know, Smedley, I don't want to talk about it." '.'But, Dave, a lot of people around town know you. It would be nice to do a little piece," I said. "Ferget it. Don't say nuthin," said Dave "Alamo" Mueller, a 15-year rugby player-and more recently coach of the Park City Muckers who is leaving Park City soon. "Wait a minute there is something that you can quote me on," he added. However, the first part was unquotable, at least in this newspaper. The second part passed. "Everyone becomes history," Mueller said-or slurred. slur-red. I had tried for more than a week to contact Alamo, and I finally had him cornered. It was "free beer night" at the Alamo Draft House on Main Street in honor of Mr. Mueller. One final bash for the crusty and sometimes crotchety rugby team veteran, who had spent many an hour at the bar that gave him his nickname He was one of the founding fathers of the Muckers, which was formed in the fall tot 1970. Some? of the other original Muckers, now retired, were there to honor his departure. Norm "Stormin' Norman"" Hall was there. The "Carter Kid" Brian Carter and "O.D. McGee" (not an exaggeration) Dick Meehan was also there four of the originals. ! u. L i oi Eleven-year veteran Dave1 p'Sunny" Sundquist was joined by George "The Hack" Austin; Steve; Creer, Keith Bronstein and many other members of the team in the party for "Muley." Cc ; ii When he first hit town in 1968, Mueller tended bar at the Alamo for then-owner Bob Dean. "He was known for his honesty;and integrity and his dedication to the rugby team," Stormin' Norm said. "He had an intense interest in people and still does. The town will miss him and miss his sincerity. You could depend on him anytime." -UkV . -i Mueller was not the most loved guy in town because he is an opinionated man who is hot shy about voicing his views. ;;ovt a But the majority of players agree that once you get past his crustiness, he is as godd a friend as you could bfiA v' ;;i ' ' " ;) everwant. . n' "He was real dedicated to the sport, although he was one of the worst tackleri to play the game," said Skip Schirf, who played from' 1973 to 1980. "He was a much better coach than player. A lot of guys around town wiU miss him." "His strength as a coach was that he was dedicated to the players. He always thought that we were gonna be in there," said Sundquist. "He knew as much or more than anybody else in town about rugby and was the unquestioned unques-tioned leader, although there were some personality conflicts." But Mueller is packing it in now, saying goodbye to Park City. He is heading to Hammond, Ind. , to join his father, who owns a hardware store there. It had been a tough year for Mueller three of his friends passed away. ' "He stood up for a rluniber of the guys, did eulogies," Schirf said. So there he was. With 'a beer hoisted high and his fly more than halfway downl Mueller began ticking down what could phibably be his last hour at the Alamo. It was a busy hour .Embraces' arid kisses from female acquaintances acquain-tances and slaps on the back and hugs from other friends. Muley even hadtime to show O.D. McGee that he was still tops in Indian leg wrestling. A guitarist came in arid the Ruggers began singing sometime bawdy lyrics 6f drinking songs and other team melodies. Mueller was often in the lead, creating stanzas as he rolled along. " And the boys created She for him. "So it's up against the wall redneck mother Mother who raised her son so well He's 39 and drinking fn the Alamo Kicking hippies' asses7 B3 And raising hell! " w& h"' Jerry Jeff would hatetfe'erf proud. Muley left the Alamft snbf'tly after closing time with a beer in hand and one in his pocket to visit an old-time buddy in Heber, saying something about breaking him out of someplace or another. Friends are important to Mueller, who will soon fade into Park City's past. After all, as he knows, everyone becomes history. |