OC rugby history

The rugby story began in 1880s when Edgar Pomeroy, an Englishman, helped introduce the sport of rugby to the Bay Area. Edgar felt that the game was superior to American-style football and lobbied for the high schools and colleges to adopt rugby instead. In 1906, over concerns about injuries, rugby actually did replace football. From 1907-1914, rugby was played in the "Big Game" between Stanford and Cal. Pomeroy joined the OC in 1907 and went on to be one of the most enthusiastic devotees to sport that has ever been connected to the Club. In addition to being a player, commissioner, author and supporter of rugby for 50 years, Edgar was also recognized as the father of soccer in the Bay Area.

In 1908, with the "enthusiastic support" of Club President William F. Humphrey and the board of directors, the rugby team was launched at the OC with Douglas Erskine as its first commissioner. The schedule for the OC the first year included Cal, Stanford, University of Pacific and the Barbarian rugby club. It didn't long take for the Winged "O" ruggers to excel as they won the local club championship in 1909.

Through the efforts of Olympians Pomeroy and Joseph Hickey, who were at the time officials of the California Rugby Union, the famed New Zealand "All Blacks" were invited to the Bay Area and matches organized. On October 4th, 1913, in front of a large crown at Saint Ignatius Field, the OC Rugby team squared off against the legendary All Blacks. The Olympians lost 19-0 but the strength of their performance was affirmed when the All Blacks gave the USA National team a 51-3 thumping a month later in Berkeley. New Zealand player, Jim Wylie, found his visit so enjoyable that he stayed in the Bay Area. He later became a member of the OC and helped coach the ruggers.

American football regained favor in the college community in 1914 and rugby again took a back seat. The 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp offered the local ruggers an opportunity to shine for the United States. Due to the fact the best rugby was being played in California, selection of the team was left to the California Rugby Union. Despite being a huge underdog, the United States defeated France 8-0 to win the gold medal. Amazingly, at least 9 players on the U.S. team were members of the OC at the time or joined the Club shortly thereafter.

The French team had been embarrassed in Antwerp by the Americans. The 1924 Olympic Games in Paris offered the French a chance at redemption. The problem, however, was that it appeared that the US was not going to send a rugby team. The French, likely questioned the Americans manhood, and were encouraging enough that the Californians scrambled to put a team together. The move appeared to be in vain, though, as the US Olympic Committee denied the request for the funds to make the trip. Demonstrating the OC's strong support for amateur athletics, OC President Humphrey hosted a meeting of local business leaders at the St. Francis Hotel and within 20 minutes, the $25,000 needed for the trip was raised. Incredibly again, at least 14 of the players named to the team were OC members or later became Olympians after the Games.

In Paris, the French and Americans again met in the final for the gold medal. A crowd of 40,000 (mainly French) showed up at the Colombes Stadium to watch their #1 ranked French team trample the Americans. The Paris book had set the odds at 20-1 as the French squad was one of greatest ever assembled and included the legendary Adolphe Juarraguy, said at that time to be the fastest rugby player alive.

The Americans, however, had other ideas. The US team was made up of great athletes, some whose primary sport was not rugby but American football or another sport. Although their rugby skill might be lacking somewhat, one thing the Americans could do was tackle hard and this attribute proved to be crucial. As team manager Sam Goodman later described the match, "The French were 20-1 favorites - for about five minutes."

Shortly into the contest, France's star Juarraguy received a pass on the wing and the crowd roared as he headed for the American line. Out of nowhere came "Lefty" Rogers, Stanford basketball captain and future OC member, who leveled the famed Frenchman with a tooth-rattling tackle. On the next play Juarraguy was again hit hard by Rogers. Finally, it was the turn of Rhodes Scholar Alan Valentine who hurled his bulk into the off balance Juarraguy. "And that was the end of him" commented Charlie Doe (OC Member). Oblivious even to the sound of the howling crowd, Juarraguy was carted off the field, "like a sack of potatoes" according to Doe.

When the final whistle blew, the Americans had pulled the upset 17-3. The French crowd did not take kindly to the humiliating defeat and several US fans were beaten unconscious in the stands. The American team rushed off the field to avoid debris being thrown and didn't hear the US National Anthem over of the cacophony of booing and catcalls.

Distinguished members of the Olympic Games teams that went on to have memorable athletic careers included Dink Templeton - famed Stanford and OC track coach, George Dixon - one of Cal's and the OC's greatest basketball players ever, Harry Maloney - longtime Stanford coach and OC Athletic Director and Santa Clara's Rudy Scholz who served during both World Wars and played rugby for the OC well into his 40s.

Rugby died down over the next several years, but was revived in the early 30s under the coaching of Jack Patrick. Patrick was a standout rugby and American football player for the OC. He played on the '20 Games rugby team and was Captain of the Club's football team that broke Cal's nearly six-year undefeated steak in 1925. The 1934 Winged "O" squad under Patrick was one of the best the Club ever fielded. The OC team won the California Rugby Union with a 12-0 record and was the only undefeated rugby team in the history of the Club.

The teams of the early 50s were strong. Under the coaching of '24 Games rugby team member, Ed "Mush" Graff, the Winged "O" ruggers won the Northern California Rugby Union title in 1952 and 1953. In 1954, the New Zealand "All Blacks" returned to San Francisco. On March 20, 1954, eight Olympians led a team of California All Stars against the famed side at Saint Ignatius Field.

Arguably the OC's best teams ever were those of the 60's. In 1960, the Winged "O" ruggers won the prestigious Monterey Tournament which was recognized as the top tournament in the country. Interesting to note, OC member, Paul "Boomer" Andrew launched the fabulous tournament in 1959. Under Paul's leadership along with Tournament Chairman (and Olympian) Steve Yost, the Monterey Tournament enjoyed a run as the country's top rugby event until 1991. The last twenty-one years were played in Pebble Beach. Those who participated remember the strong competition, great organization and beautiful facilities in Monterey.

The 1966 season was full of highs and lows. The Winged "O" first team was embarrassed at the Monterey Tournament losing several matches, including a loss to the Club's second side (which then became the darlings of the tournament finishing fourth). However, the first side made up for its poor performance by winning the Championship at the International Rugby Tournament in Boston, which was the first US-hosted event of its kind. There, the Club defeated the Boston Rugby Club 15-0 and the Racing Club of France 11-3. The Winged "O" Ruggers were awarded a 3-foot-high trophy that used to be on display at the City Club.

The 1967 season saw the team embark on an epic 30-day tour to Ireland, Wales, England and France. The team chartered a World Airways 707 fanjet and roughly 165 players, alternates, members and family supporters flew to Dublin. Over 11 games, the Winged "O" ruggers made a statement to the world that American rugby was not to be taken lightly. The Club went 7-2-2 in its matches against top British, Irish and French clubs. Victories included wins over Old Belvedere in Ireland 14-6, Glamorgan Wanderers in Wales 11-6, Rosslyn Park in England 11-0 and Racing Club in France 16-9. The Racing Club (the world's largest athletic club at the time) match was played in front of 10,000 fans. Some of the Olympians from the team that can still be seen around the Club include Bill Breslan, John Doughty, Dave Marcelli and Ed Marr. Mickey Ording, John Rosekrans and George Reppas also deserve mention for their contributions to the success of the trip.

The 1967 Tour highlighted the competition and camaraderie that exist in the sport of rugby. Members of the tour party recall the trip as one of the best experiences of their lives. Almost 40 years later, the positive impact made by the OC overseas is still felt. For example, the Rossyln Park Rugby Club is traveling to San Francisco this month. Officials of the Rossyln Club still remember fondly the OC's visit in '67.

The 1968 season was another great year as the Winged "O" finished 18-3-1. The team finished a strong 3rd in the Monterey Tournament and then claimed the National Championship by beating the East Coast Champs Old Blues of New York 27-3 at the International Tournament in Boston. The Old Blues of NY had been featured in Sports Illustrated as the top team in the country before they were thrashed by the OC.

The 1971 season saw the Club go 9-1 in NCRFU competition before finishing 4th in the Monterey Tournament. The season was also the team's last before rugby disappeared at the Club for 20 years. After the "dark ages" of teams sports at the OC, rugby returned in the 90s along with many other of the Club's teams.

In 1991, the OC's rugby team was reborn through the efforts of coaches Mark Carlson, Mark Lambourne and Commissioner, Jim Glugoski. The team quickly moved from the 3rd to 2nd to 1st Division of local competition. In 1999, the Club embarked on an 11-day tour to the UK and Ireland. The OC went 2-1-1 in competition with a huge victory over Blackheath of England 23-8. The Blackheath Club is recognized as the oldest rugby club in the world. Interesting to note, the 1924 US Olympic Games rugby team played Blackheath in a warm-up match for the Paris Games. In 2003, the OC toured Australia during the Rugby World Cup. The team competed against top local Aussie clubs and gained invaluable experience.

Today, the OC is one of the best out of 2,000 rugby teams in America. The rugby season is nearly year-round. Led by Captain Andrew Armstrong, the Club's two 15-per-side squads compete from winter to spring. The Winged "O" first team competes in Division I and advanced to the Elite 8 in 2006. The second side rarely loses a match. The OC's 7-per-side team competes in the summer. Led by Captain Andy Tamayo and Player-Coach Marc Vera, the 7s team has placed 3rd, 2nd, 3rd and 5th in the previous four US National 7s Championships.