The CSU Rugby Club was organized in February 1970 by Dave Freedman and Mike Wray. Seventeen players reported for that first practice early in April, 1970. Most of these "charter members" had little knowledge about the game of rugby. To further compound our problems, we had little equipment (our uniforms were old castoff football jerseys), we had trouble finding a field on which to practice, and we had a microscopic budget from the university ($17, not even enough to buy a rugby ball). Our only game that spring season ended in a humiliating 23-0 defeat at the hands of the Denver Barbarians.
Since that first practice two years prior, the CSU Rugby Club had steadily increased and improved while providing the student body with a consistent winner. During the previous three seasons we had increased our membership to 45 members and posted a 24-8 record. In the Fall of 1971 the club culminated its "rags to riches" success story by winning the Pabst Cup Championship (rugby championship of Colorado), by posting a 10-1 record, thereby receiving national recognition.
From these humble beginnings a strong rugby tradition has been established here at CSU.
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Fall 1971 |
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Fall 1971 ERRFU Champions |
Spring 1972 |
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