Coaches

University of Arizona Rugby Coaches

Dave Sitton – Head Coach – (520) 907-4758 wds1@mindspring.com
In May 2009, finished his 31st year as head coach of the Arizona program … as a player and a coach, has been a member of the team for 35 straight years … has compiled a record of 361-192-12 … coached numerous All Americans and over 1,300 student athletes … served in the U.S.A. All American Program as a general manager and assistant coach from 1990 through 2000 … played fullback at Arizona for four years before club rugby with Old Pueblo Lions and Tucson Magpies—a club he helped form … also played for the Arizona Rugby Union Select Team, scoring their first-ever points … assumed coaching responsibilities at UA during senior year at age 22 … has attained Level III USA coach credentials, participated in the new coaching development program, and has attended numerous coaching seminars and clinics overseas … has coached, played, or broadcast rugby football in ten countries … television play-by-play voice of U.S. National rugby team on ESPN, ESPNU, FOX Sports Net and SKY television … University of Arizona sports play-by-play voice, including powerhouse basketball program, PAC-10 football team, a variety of Olympic sports, and baseball…currently Director of Marketing at the Arizona Cancer Center, one of just forty comprehensive cancer centers… member of many civic organizations, including life memberships in Tucson Conquistadores, Centurions of Carondelet St. Mary’s, National Rifle Association, and Arizona Rugby Club … also on the board of Davis Monthan Air Force Base “50”, Steele Memorial Children’s Research Foundation, Diocese of Tucson Catholic Foundation, Tucson Airport Authority, Board of Directors Arizona Letterman’s Association, Member of Pima County Sports Authority and Chairman of the Tucson Pops Orchestra … honored by University of Arizona Alumni as “Bear Down” Award Recipient and Honorary Bobcat … named first recipient of Lute Olson “Scouts Honor” Award by Boy Scouts of America … in January 2005, Sitton was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma. He was treated successfully at the Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson. In 2006 honors were showered on Sitton. He was named the Tucson Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year; American Ad Federation Silver Award for Lifetime Achievement; Father’s Day Council Father of the Year; Willie Kane Humanitarian Award winner. With wife Spencer, has two daughters, Olivia and Elizabeth.

Mark Rouff – Assistant Coach- (520) 270-1741 mrouff@comcast.net
Mark begins his eighth year as an assistant coach, now the varsity forwards coach … he was a three-year starter at lock or #8 for the Wildcats and attained All-Conference status … spent his senior year nursing a knee injury which eventually required surgery … attended the 2003 tour to New Zealand where he learned greatly from many outstanding New Zealand coaches … attained coaching certification from USARFU … before playing rugby at the U of A was a standout member of the Yuma High School Band as a first trumpet … now a civil engineer.

Chris Hardy – Assistant Coach (520) 358-3290 poppahardy@msn.com
Chris Hardy was a three-year standout for the Wildcats, playing hooker from 1996 to 1998. He was an important part of the 1997 squad which won Arizona’s first SoCal Conference Championship … prior to rugby played football at Tucson High School … graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Exercise Sport Sciences … is a member of the Tucson Fire Department … along with wife Alex has sons Eric. Jacob and Michael.

Adam Dick – (520) 370-6925 ad1013@yahoo.com
A four-year performer in Arizona’s back line, Adam Dick played on some of Arizona’s most cherished league championship teams from 1997 through 2000. Versatile at either center or flyhalf, Adam took up rugby at the University of Arizona after attending Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson. After college Adam played with the Old Pueblo Lions. He is in his ninth year on the Arizona staff and specializes in the developmental program, commonly referred to as the “Rookie Program.” Adam works in the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is married to Anna.

Josh Eggman – (520) 409-6705 j.eggman@comcast.net
Josh is another former Wildcat that has joined the staff to help his alma mater … a four-year starter for Arizona, usually at flanker, Josh was versatile enough to fit in at halfback when duty called … his versatility on the field makes him invaluable as a coach in the rookie program … has participated in USA Coaches Development Program … In high school he was equally valuable to Coach Vern Frieli in the Amphitheater football program as Josh played both linebacker and tight end … Josh is a contractor. He is married to Dani with whom he raises their son, Colin.

Glenn Howell – Strength and Conditioning Coach – (520) 907-5777 glennphowell@comcast.net
A three-year letterman at tight end for the University of Arizona football program … played in the first Arizona bowl game (1985 Sun Bowl) after Arizona became Bowl eligible following NCAA probation … was invited to Los Angeles Raiders camp in 1985 … first play from scrimmage at camp was against the legendary Howie Long … after five years in the telecommunications industry, Glenn has become a certified sports and conditioning specialist … he is an elite SPARQ trainer for Nike … he is now responsible for conditioning the Wildcat rugby team … also on the staff of Pima Community College … Lucy and Glenn are parents of Haley and Kobe … a brother--Leslie Howell--played gridiron at Cal and for the New York Jets..

Tyson Swetnam – (520) 247-2293 tswetnam@email.arizona.edu
Tyson Swetnam returns to the Wildcats for his sixth season as an assistant forwards coach. Tyson jointed the Wildcats as part of the recruiting class of ’98. Fellow recruits included future All-American Joe Schmidt, and the late, great Josh “Giant” Allen. Tyson was placed with the varsity program during his first fall semester where he played in all of the loose forward positions. Tyson was honored on the 2000 and 2001 SCRFU Griffin’s Collegiate All-Star teams before graduation in 2002. He returned to the U of A to pursue a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management, rejoining the rugby program as an assistant coach in 2004. Tyson is currently working on his PhD in Natural Resources, is employed by the USDA Forest Service, and is married to Marisa Allen (Giant’s younger sister).

Doug Hood - dhoodjr@gmail.com
Doug Hood has transitioned from player to coach … a five-year Wildcat halfback, he spent two years in the rookie and J.V. sections before earning his starting status on the varsity … was starting halfback for five straight wins over Arizona State University … participated in USA Coaches Development Program … at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, he was a member of their “fencing team”…Doug was graduated with a degree in regional development at the University of Arizona … he is a district planning engineer for Tucson Electric Power Company.

Medical Staff

Dr. Nathan Conlee – For over thirteen years has provided Arizona rugby with medical advice and chiropractic services … a graduate of Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa, Conlee has been exposed to rugby for many years … attended University of Arizona before Palmer … an avid skier , he travels around the globe each year in pursuit of the perfect ski run …has traveled with the University of Arizona to New Zealand twice … very generous with his expertise and services … he is ideal for taking care of players and aging coaches … three children … recently Dr. Conlee was wed to Heide.

Mary O’Mahoney– Mary is responsible for sport clubs at the University of Arizona … an undergrad product of Northern Illinois University, she earned her Master’s in Sports Exercise Science and Administration at the University of Arizona … her current title is Assistant Director for Sport Clubs and Family Programs … she has been in the position for 14 years … she has traveled coast to coast with the University of Arizona rugby team and has been essential in relocating rugby practice and home matches from local parks to the on-campus Rincon Vista facility.

Rob Knepper – In his third year as a University of Arizona trainer … after service in the United States Navy, he attended Louisiana Tech University … as an athletic trainer, he spent six years in the San Francisco Giants organization and one year with the Arizona Diamondbacks … he and wife Melissa and daughter Brooke welcomed son Noah to the world in May 08.