The 1978 National Rugby Championships were a series of tournaments organized to determine a national champion in several divisions for United States rugby teams. The divisions included College, Women's club, and Interterritorial.
College The 1978 College championship took place from February 4–5 at LSU's Parade Grounds in Baton Rouge, Louisiana."UK In Rugby Tourney". (January 24, 1978). The Lexington Leader, p.B-3 col.3 Palmer College of Chiropractic were the champions."Burdock Rugby Star In Iowa". (June 9, 1978). The Valley Independent, p.8 col.1 Palmer had previously won championships in 1972 and 1973 and were runners-up in 1976. Palmer won three matches in the series to win the title."Palmer Wins Rugby Crown". (February 8, 1978). The Daily Dispatch, p.37 col.2 Championship Bracket
Consolation Bracket
Final
ITT The Inter Territorial Tournament involved the four regional rugby unions comprising the United States RFU: Pacific Coast RFU, Western RFU, Midwest RFU, and the Eastern Rugby Union. The region teams are formed from selected players from the sub regional rugby unions. Subsequently, the USA Eagles are selected from the four regional teams after the ITT concludes."Michelob National Rugby Tourney". (June 11, 1978). St. Louis Post-Dispatch, p.5F col.3 The 1978 edition was sponsored by Michelob and played as a round robin from June 10–11 on Aviation Field at Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri."Rugby Tourney Set For This Weekend". (June 6, 1978). St. Louis Post-Dispatch, p.15
Results:
TeamWLFA1Pacific Coast Grizzlies2177272Eastern Colonials2175483Midwest Thunderbirds2146484Western Mustangs0327102
Women's Club The 1978 Women's National Rugby Classic for club teams was co-sponsored by the Chicago Women's Rugby Football Club and Michelob beer. The teams invited needed to have won a major regional title and have a winning record."Tourney A Big First In Women's Rugby". (August 30, 1978). Chicago Tribune, sec.7 p.1 The games were played at Lion's Park in Mount Prospect, Illinois."Rugby Classic Adds ‘Color’ To Lives Of Women Players". (September 4, 1978). The Daily Herald, p.3 col.3-4 The team from Portland, Maine won the championship with four shutouts: 3–0 over Denver Blues in the first round, 24–0 over Houston Boars in the second round, then 4–0 against Chicago, and finally 18–0 against Madison, Wisconsin."Rugby". (September 15, 1978). Evening Express, p.20 col.1-2 Chicago took third place with a 4–0 win over Florida State after three overtimes."FSU Women Ruggers Are Getting Last Laugh". (November 13, 1978). Tallahassee Democrat, p.3B, 5B
Champions: Portland(ME) Women's Rugby Club. Qualified as New England Champions. Record: 10–1–2 Coaching Staff: Rocky Frenzilli, Ricky Scala(Aide), Peter Gillis(Aide) Roster: Sondra Spiers, Denise Dimitre, Pat Cribby, Kim Berry, Janet Muccino, Susan Adams, Brenda Costello, Mary Beth Staid, Reta Brown Flaherty, Brenda Swallow, Cheryl Ring, Ann Chippfield, Sue Malcolm, Marie Gagne, Amy Belliveau, Debbie Selleck (captain), Ann Chute, Mary Gouletand, Sue Lawler.
Monterey National Championships
The 1978 Monterey National Rugby Championship was the 20th edition of the tournament and was considered to be the de facto national championship."The Money Is Nice, But The Work Annoys Them". (March 20, 1974). San Francisco Examiner, p.52 col.2"Bakersfield Rugby Team Wins Slugfest From Fullerton". (March 14, 1977). Bakersfield Californian, p.14 col.5-7"Chuckanut Bay Ruggers 18th At Monterey". (March 27, 1975). Bellingham Herald, p.14 col.1-3"UM Rugby Club Enters Title Meet". (March 15, 1974). The Missoulian, p.14 col.3-4"Add: U. Va. Rugby Club". (June 23, 1966). Times-Dispatch, p.21 col.2 This event took place at Pebble Beach, CA from March 25–26. The tournament MVP was Jeff Momsen (Old Blues), Miss Rugby winner was Nicole Parlette, Bill Armstrong of the Old Blues won the Running Drop Kick contest while Brian Lowe of UC Davis was runner-up. The Old Blues of Berkeley, CA went 5–0 to take first place."For The Record". (March 27, 1978). St. Petersburg Times, p.2C col.3"Berkeley Old Blues Rugby Champions". (March 27, 1978). Times–Herald, p.15 col.3"Old Blues Win". (March 27, 1978). Independent–Journal, p.38 col.2"Name Droppers". (March 27, 1978). Daily Record, p.15 col.1"Blues Score". (March 28, 1978). Star–Ledger, p.31 col.5
First round
Championship Bracket
*Advanced on kicks
Final
Champions: Old Blues Rugby Club Coach: Ron Mayes Captain: Geoff Momsen Roster: Steve Anderson, Bill Armstrong, Rick Bailey, Dave Bateman, Peter Burnam, Jack Clarke, John Dixon, Whit Everett, Leo Fracess, Pete Gunderson, Steve Gritch, Charlie Hextrim, Jeff Hollings, Bill McFarland, Steve Ponder, Peter Richter, Dennis Row, Vern Smith, Bill Stowers, Scott Stringer, Mark Villa, Dennis Ward, Blaine Warhurst.
*Advanced on kicks
Consolation Bracket
*Advanced on kicks
Exhibition match: B.C. Whoi Whoi (Vancouver, Canada) 4-8 Bald Eagles (San Francisco, CA)
See also American Cougars
References