Georgetown University Rugby Football Club

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The Georgetown University Rugby Football Club is the intercollegiate men's rugby team that represents Georgetown University in the USA Rugby league.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early History

The Georgetown Rugby Football Club (GURFC) was founded in the spring semester of 1967 by former members of the Washington D.C. Rugby Football Club. In fact, the Washington RFC, along with Baltimore Rugby Football Club, helped to shape what today is the Potomac Rugby Union, through the work of Dave Rusk (1). In 1963, they assisted with the establishment of a club at the Naval Academy and were instrumental in the formation of clubs at Georgetown University and the University of Maryland, as well as some other early (now defunct) clubs (2).

The founder and captain's name is Michael Murphy, and he was a grad student. In the early history of the club, GURFC fielded both an “A” and “B” sides, while occasionally mustering the numbers for a “C” side. In the fall of 1968, GURFC hired its first coach to the program, which only lasted until the Spring. During this time, John Clisham worked as the club president.

[edit] Evolution of the Officers

In the early days of the club, the “officers” were comprised of a scrum captain, a backs captain, a president, a VP/Treasurer, and a secretary. The 5 "officers" would determine the A, B, and C side rosters each week. In 1970-1971, John Kelly was president, Jack Schmidt was the (Match) Secretary, Joe Pulosi and Mike (Last Name Unknown) were the captains, and Leonard Natoli, Jr. served as the Vice President/Treasurer. At the time, the Vice President/Treasurer had the best job of all, which was to set up the weekly party. The officers have remained relatively unchanged over time except for the division of the duties of Vice President and Treasurer into the three posts of Treasurer, Vice President, and Social Chair Along the way, it was deemed necessary to separate the Social activities with the Financial responsibilities!

The Fall End of the Year Party has been a tradition since the beginning of the club, and remains today as the primary means for selecting Team Officers.

[edit] In Memory

"For he who sheds his blood with me today shall be my brother."

from 'Henry VIII' by William Shakespeare

Georgetown Rugby will never forget the memories of our fallen brothers. Georgetown is a special place, and being a part of Georgetown Rugby is a bond that can never be broken. Georgetown Rugby hopes that their legacy inspires more people to celebrate the things that they hold dear, and to teach future members of the club that being part of the Georgetown Rugby Tradition is more than just playing rugby.

We honor:

  * Dan Rigby 
  * Kevin Hurley (MSB '00)
  * Jim Bitonti ('95)
  * Robert Leonardo

For more details on these fallen ruggers, please read this [1][link]].

[edit] Recent Seasons

The 2001 fall season marked Georgetown's last year in Division I. The 2001 season was a building year for the team with the older players coaching the incoming and promising freshman class.

The spring and fall 2002 seasons marked a new start for Georgetown that began with a last minute victory over Catholic University in the Capitol Cup tournament.

During the fall of 2002, Georgetown moved from Division I to Division II and came under the guidance of JP Perez. They subsequently won the Potomac Rugby Union's Division II championship.

JP's clear communication skills allow for innovative and interpretive drills. With Perez at the helm, backed by his fiesty and spirited assistant Patrick McKenna(who has also authored a cookbook), Georgetown is sure to continue to produce stellar seasons for years to come.

The 2004 season was marked with joy and tragedy. On the morning of October 17, 2004, team friend Dan Rigby died in a housefire at what had been affectionately known as the 'Rugby House'.

In the past two years since, the Georgetown Rugby Club has been a sponsor of the annual Run For Rigby to raise money for off-campus housing safety awareness.

Georgetown pushed on to shut out PRU rival Salisbury University in the PRU championship avenging their last minute loss to Salisbury in 2003.

The spring 2005 season marked Georgetown's championship run into Final Four of the USA Rugby National Tournament.

[edit] Championships and Titles

  • 1998 Capitol Cup Champions
  • 1999 Capitol Cup Champions
  • 2000 Capitol Cup Champions
  • 2001 Capitol Cup Champions
  • 2002 Capitol Cup Champions
  • 2003 Capitol Cup Champions
  • 2004 Capitol Cup Champions
  • 2005 Capitol Cup Champions
  • 2006 Capitol Cup Champions
  • 2002 Potomac Rugby Union Champions
  • 2004 New Orleans Mardi Gras Tournament Champions
  • 2004 Potomac Rugby Union Champions
  • 2005 Cherry Blossom Tournament Champions
  • 2005 MARFU Championship

[edit] External links

[edit] Club-affiliated sites

[edit] Newspaper articles

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