pass a sql connection object by reference

using vb.net/asp.net 2005.
I am trying to pass a sql connection object by reference ("ByRef") like so but when I'm inside the function that i'm passing it to it sees the connection as closed, what am i doing wrong?  any samples? thanks:
 
Dim MyConnStr As String = "not there for security reasons" Dim MyCon As System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection MyCon = New System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection(MyConnStr ) MyCon.Open()
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