The Denver Barbarians Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team based in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Barbarians have won 4 national championships, dating back to their first DI title in 1990. The club's second title came in 1999, during the height of the Rugby Super League, defeating Belmont Shore RFC 22-18. The Barbarians' third title came in the 2018 DII National Championship, defeating the Detroit Tradesmen in an all-time thriller at Infinity Park, 39-38. The Barbarians added a fourth title with a 49-34 victory over a strong Boise United side in the 2023 DII National Championship in St Charles, Missouri.
The Denver Barbarians are currently being represented on the USA 7s Eagles by Ben Pinkelman and Ke'Von Williams, who have anchored the USA 7s team during the 2017–18 World Rugby Sevens Series.
Ben Pinkelman had an outstanding 2018-2019 year with the USA Eagles and was selected for the HSBC 7's Dream Team. Pinkelman was also selected into the USA Eagles' 2019 Rugby World Cup squad. Pinkelman played in 3 of the 4 pool matches, coming off the bench as an openside flanker.
Championships The Denver Barbarians Rugby Football Club was founded in 1967. It is an organization that has consistently performed at a professional caliber over the decades. Since its founding, the club has been one of the top-performing men’s rugby clubs in the United States across both 7s and 15s. The National Club 7s Championship has been held every year since 1985 (excluding 2020). Denver has won two National Championships in sevens before USA Rugby assumed tournament oversight. Since 1985, the Barbarians have qualified for the National Club 7s tournament 29 times; placing in the final eight 27 times, the top five 24 times, and have taken second place 8 times. TypeCompetitionTitlesWinning yearsNationalNational Club Championship D111990National Club Championship D222018, 2023Rugby Super League11999National Sevens Rugby Tournament21979, 1984RegionalRocky Mountain Premiership (D2)82007, 2008, 2009, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024West Club D181981,1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2013Rocky Mountain Developmental League22018, 2019InvitationalAspen Ruggerfest111970*, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1991, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2025Rocky Mountain/Denver 7s271970, 1972, 1973, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1989, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Denver Barbarian Eagles With the sport's growth in the ensuing decades, the Barbarians played a larger role in the game, both on and off the field. The club has supplied 7s and 15s players to all levels of select side play, including PRO Rugby, Major League Rugby (MLR), and the US National Side, the Eagles. Barbarians have fielded over 40 national side players, 28 of whom were club players prior to becoming Eagles.
15s Players Matt Alexander 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995 Andre Bachelet 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 Andre Blom 2000, 1999, 1998 Barry Daily 1991, 1990, 1989 Mike DeJong 1991, 1990 Juan Grobler 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998 Russ Isaacs 1989 Rob Lumkong 1998, 1997, 1996, 1994 Tyson Meek 2006 Jone Naqica 2003, 2002, 2001 Fred Paoli 1991, 1989, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1983 Ben Pinkelman 2019 Doug Rowe 2005 Dough Straehley 1984, 1983 Mark Vandermolen 1987 Link Wilfley 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 Toby Robson 1999 Samuel Saldi 2003, 2004 Joseph Saldi III 2002, 2003 Erik Flink 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
7s Players Andre Bachelet 1997, 1996, 1994, 1993 Doug Brown 1999 Mike Coyner 2004, 1999, 1998 Riaan Hamilton 2003 Steve Laporta 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988 Bob Lockrem 2002 Rob Lumkong 1994 Cody Melphy 2018 Ben Pinkleman 2016, 2018, 2018 (C), 2019 (HSBC 7's Dream team selection) Dave Poquette 1990, 1989, 1988 Jone Naqica 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 Doug Rowe 2003 Ke'Von Williams 2017, 2018, 2019 Kevin Whitcher 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001 Tyson Meek
See also Denver Stampede
References
External links