NEWS

Over 150 Wildcats Attend 40th Reunion

Players from every era of UA rugby’s 40-year history attended the reunion

Players from the original 1969 squad and the more recent additions met in Tucson at the 40th Anniversary celebration of the University of Arizona rugby program.

Arizona rugby alumni had an opportunity to participate in the 10th Annual
Michelob Strong & Tough Golf Tournament; attend a reception in the University of Arizona’s Hall of Champions; enjoy a great breakfast during which Lt. General Robert Johnston USMC (RET) was the featured speaker; play in an alumni game featuring players who graduated in even numbered years against those who graduated in odd years; witness the match up between the Wildcats and eventual college rugby final four team San Diego State; and finally, regale at an aftermatch
function held on the Rincon Vista Pitch.

The Wildcats faced the San Diego State Aztecs in the university soccer stadium.

Players who played on the original team were honored with Founders Awards.  The Founders on hand included Doug Cook, Dan Cross, Jim Field, Doug Gillam, Knute Knutson, Dan Lee and Richard Lopez.

Many of the weekend’s events were sponsored by or supported by Golden Eagle Distributors, Inc.  The William M. Clements family has been the key supporter of the program since 1976.

Begun in the fall of 1969, Arizona has become one of the nation’s premier college rugby programs.  The team has traveled from Edinburgh, Scotland to Dunedin, New Zealand for matches.  Arizona has undertaken 12 international tours.

The team has won several conference championships, featured over a dozen All Americans and many U. S. National team players.

Twice, Arizona Rugby has been named the best organization on campus.  In conjunction with Golden Eagle Distributors, Inc. , the team honours academic achievement.

Two years ago, the University rewarded the rugby program by providing a dynamic, new facility for practice and home matches at the Rincon Vista site.  The Alumni Association, the team’s primary source of funding, continues to grow so that the scores of players and their all-volunteer coaching staff can flourish.

Old teammates (L-R): Jeff Lewis, Dan Cross, Rick Rendon, John Snow and Dave Sitton

The 40th anniversary of the program marks the 31st consecutive year that Arizona’s Dave Sitton will serve as head coach.  In addition to 31 coaching years, Sitton played for the Wildcats for four.  His 35 years as a member of the University of Arizona rugby program is unprecedented.  Over the course of those years, Sitton has seen the program grow from roughly 30 players in his playing days to over 100 participating each year.

In Memoriam

At the 40th Anniversary Breakfast, a moment of silence was observed for deceased Wildcat rugby alumni.

Josh “Giant” Allen
Geoff Barnes
Bill Clements
Steve Harder
Bob Jacobs
John Jacobs
Mark Shively
Ross Sotelo
Steven “Joey” Suarez