1979 National Rugby Championships


The 1979 National Rugby Championships were a series of tournaments organized to determine a national champion in several divisions for United States rugby teams. The divisions included College, Military, Sevens, Interterritorial, and Men's/Women's Club.

Men's Club

The 1979 National Club Rugby Championship was sponsored by Michelob and took place at Avila College in Kansas City, Missouri on May 12 and 13. The teams featured in the tournament were the champions of the four sub unions of USARFU. The Berkeley Old Blues won the title defeating St. Louis in the final after beating their New York namesakes in two overtime periods in the semifinal.

Final

Champions: Old Blues RFC of Berkeley, CA
Coach: Ron Mayes
Roster: Bill Armstrong, Rick Bailey, David Bateman, Jim Brazil, Peter Burman, Jack Clark, John Dixon, Leo Fracess, Pete Gunderson, Stephen Gritsch, Chuck Hextrum, Dallas Hickman, Mark Hoffman, Jeff Hollings, Tom Philp, Steve Ponder, Scott Stringer, Mark Villa, Art Ward, Dennis Ward, Blane Warhurst.

Women's Club

The 1979 Women's National Rugby Classic took place on September 1–2 at Lutheran Home Fields in Arlington Heights, IL. The tournament was co-sponsored by the Chicago Women's Rugby Football Club and Michelob beer. The format was two round-robin groups with group winners playing for the championship. The team from Florida State won the championship with four victories. The Heathen Hearts of Houston took third place by defeating holders, Portland.
Ninth Place: Denver.
Seventh Place: Chicago 4-0 Colorado State
Fifth Place: Hoyden Park 16-4 Boston
Third Place: Houston def. Portland

College

The 1979 College championship was won by Palmer College of Chiropractic. Navy finished fourth.

Military

The 1979 Military Cup Rugby Championship was held May 5-6 on Stilwell Field at Fort Campbell.

Sevens

The 1979 National Sevens Rugby Tournament was hosted by the Hartford Wanderers and took place on June 23, 1979, at Sterling Field in West Hartford, Connecticut. The twelve team tournament was won by the Denver Barbarians.

ITT

The Inter Territorial Tournament involved the four regional rugby unions comprising the United States RFU: Pacific Coast RFU, Western RFU, Midwest RFU, and the Eastern Rugby Union. The region teams are formed from selected players from the sub regional rugby unions. Subsequently, the USA Eagles are selected from the four regional teams after the ITT concludes. The 1979 edition was held on the polo fields of the International Sports Core in Oakbrook, IL. won by the Pacific Coast RFU. Pacific Coast's Mike Fanucchi and Jack Clark were most valuable back and most valuable forward respectively.
Results:
Champions: Pacific Coast Grizzlies
Coach: Ron Mayes
Captain: Jeff Hollings-Hooker
Roster: Rick Bailey-Prop, David Briley-Prop, Mickey Ording-Prop, Jay Hansen-Hooker, Jack Clark-Lock, Chuck Hextrum-Lock, Brad Andrews-#8, Art Ward-#8, Jeffrey Lombard-Flanker, David Morrison-Flanker, Skip Niebauer-Flanker, Dave Bateman-Scrumhalf, Bob McFayden-Scrumhalf, Steve Gray-Flyhalf, Thomas Smith-Flyhalf, Tom O'Grady-Center, Michael Fanucchi-Center, Boyd Morrison-Center, Del Chipman-Wing, Lin Walton-Wing, Mike Purcell-Wing, Ian Gunn-Fullback, Dennis Jablonski-Fullback.