Our Legacy
Learn about how rugby came to be in America, explore Husky Rugby's humble beginnings and the legacy of excellence that is being built
The Rise of Husky Rugby
Rugby has a colorful history in the United States. Rugby Fifteens was first an Olympic sport starting in 1900 with the U.S. team winning back to back gold medals in 1920 and 1924.
Unfortunately the International Olympic Committee dropped Rugby from competition after the 1924 games, possibly due to the hurt feelings of the French, and Rugby didn’t didn’t return to the games until 2016 when Rugby Sevens debuted.
In the early years, rugby was primarily played on the two coasts but now the sport is enjoyed across the U.S. where men and women ranging in age from 5 to 60+ can participate in this great game. The U.S. has its’ own professional league (Major League Rugby), is played in the majority of Universities and is one of the fastest growing sports at the high school and youth levels.
The UW has its’ own unique history with the game and from humble beginnings a legacy of excellence was born. Now the UW Rugby Club is entering into a new era as the game evolves.
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Humble Beginnings
In 1963 an ad was place in the UW daily newspaper asking interested players to turn out for an initial rugby practice and thus was born the Husky Rugby Club, what is now the oldest sports club on campus. There were no IMA facilities in those days, so practice was held in the quad and the team wore football jerseys donated by then head football coach Jim Owens.
The club was coached by a legendary French player/coach Jaques Cubille, who steered the club to early victories and set the tone for excellence. The inaugural team consisted of:
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Next Generation
As the sixties wound down a second wave of players were drawn to the game. Instead of 15-25 turning out there we 30-40 per practice. The club was now coached by English and Welsh graduate students and faculty and winning was the norm. In those days there were a series of tournaments up and down the west coast and it was not uncommon for the UW 1st and UW 2nd sides to be playing in the finals.
These players built on the work of the club founders and started a tradition of winning that has carried on to this day. To be sure, there have been ups and downs as players graduate, volunteer coaches move on, and the very nature of the student body changes, but one thing remains the same, the Husky Rugby plays with an intensity that has remained constant throughout the decades. Whether it’s was the 80’s, 90’s early 2000’s or today, the Husky Rugby Club continues to develop boys into men, shape winners, and wear the purple and gold with pride. The club has won many tournaments and league championships, put players on the US national team and provided top tier talent to many of the prominent club sides in the country.
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The Way Forward
Like everything, rugby and the club have evolved. Facilities and training grounds at the University are top notch, the team has a cadre of dedicated coaches and, with the support of the Alumni, we are able to award annual scholarships to deserving incoming players. The HRAA is working to expand the reach of the Husky Rugby Club and the Alumni Association with the long-term goal of making rugby a Varsity sport with a dedicated rugby pitch on campus.
Rugby has a promising future in the United States, Seattle, and at the University of Washington, and we warmly invite your support. Whether you are alumni, family, friends, or passionate about the sport, we welcome you to join us in advancing our honored program and backing the Husky Rugby Club.
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Husky Rugby Alumni Association
Formed in 2005, the HRAA is on a mission to build a thriving community of Husky Rugby players, alumni, and friends. We are working towards building a top tier Rugby program in the North Western Region that provides high caliber players a competitive and educational advantage in life during and post college.
Learn more about the Alumni AssociationRun With The Big Dawgs
Husky Rugby, Where Determination Finds Victory!
