The 1979 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, Military, Sevens, Interterritorial, and Men's/Women's Club.
Men's Club The 1979 National Club Rugby Championship was sponsored by Michelob and took place at Avila College in Kansas City, Missouri on May 12 and 13."First Major Rugby Tourney". (May 12, 1979). The Daily News, p.7 col.1-3 The teams featured in the tournament were the champions of the four sub unions of USARFU. The Berkeley Old Blues won the title defeating St. Louis in the final after beating their New York namesakes in two overtime periods in the semifinal."California Team Tops St. Louis Club For Championship". (May 14, 1979). Kansas City Times, p.4C
Semifinals
Third place
Final
Champions: Old Blues RFC of Berkeley, CA Coach: Ron Mayes Roster: Bill Armstrong (Center), Rick Bailey (Prop), David Bateman (Scrumhalf), Jim Brazil (Prop), Peter Burman (Flyhalf), Jack Clark (Lock), John Dixon (Center), Leo Fracess (Prop), Pete Gunderson (Hooker), Stephen Gritsch (Wing), Chuck Hextrum (Lock), Dallas Hickman (Flanker), Mark Hoffman (Lock), Jeff Hollings (Hooker), Tom Philp (Wing), Steve Ponder (#8), Scott Stringer (Center), Mark Villa (Flyhalf), Art Ward (#8), Dennis Ward (Fullback), Blane Warhurst (Flanker/Wing).
Women's Club The 1979 Women's National Rugby Classic took place on September 1–2 at Lutheran Home Fields in Arlington Heights, IL."Weekend Kicks Off With Women’s Rugby". (August 31, 1979). Chicago Tribune, s.4 p.12 col.2 The tournament was co-sponsored by the Chicago Women's Rugby Football Club and Michelob beer. The format was two round-robin groups with group winners playing for the championship.Cohen, Edie (September 1, 1979). "Rugby Classic Opens In Arlington". The Daily Herald, s.3 p.5 col.3-5 The team from Florida State won the championship with four victories. The Heathen Hearts of Houston took third place by defeating holders, Portland.
Standings RankTeamPldWLFA FSUPORHOYCHIDEN1.Florida State330207X4:38:4X8:02.Portland (ME)3211743:4XX10:04:03.Hoyden Park (GA)211884:8XX4:0X4.Chicago312414X0:100:4X4:05.Denver Blues3030160:80:4X0:4X
Standings RankTeamPldWLFA MADHEABOSCOL1.Madison (WI)330207X10:46:34:02.Heathen Hearts (TX)32110104:10X6:0W:L3.Boston31219163:60:6X16:44.Colorado State3034200:4L:W4:16X
Ninth Place: Denver. Seventh Place: Chicago 4-0 Colorado State Fifth Place: Hoyden Park 16-4 BostonKusek, Joe (September 2, 1979). "Rugby Invades Suburbs". The Daily Herald, s.4 p.1 Third Place: Houston def. PortlandKusek, Joe (September 3, 1979). "Florida State Rules Rugby". The Daily Herald, s.3 p.5 col.3-6
Final
College The 1979 College championship was won by Palmer College of Chiropractic. Navy finished fourth.
Military The 1979 Military Cup Rugby Championship was held May 5-6 on Stilwell Field at Fort Campbell.
Standings RankTeamPldWLFA FTCSAVFBOFBFFTP1.Ft Campbell All Blacks330516X30:013:68:0X2.Savannah Rangers42241640:30X10:1711:720:103.Ft Benning Old Boys32143236:1317:10XX10:04.Ft. Benning Flyers31211190:87:11XX4:05.Fort Polk303018X0:40:100:4X
Sevens The 1979 National Sevens Rugby Tournament was hosted by the Hartford Wanderers and took place on June 23, 1979, at Sterling Field in West Hartford, Connecticut."Rugby Tournament". (June 23, 1979). Hartford Courant, p.27 col.1 The twelve team tournament was won by the Denver Barbarians.Paterno, Karen (June 23, 1979). "Ruggers Get Gas, Get Here, Get With It". Hartford Courant, p.1C
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. The 1979 edition was held on the polo fields of the International Sports Core in Oakbrook, IL. won by the Pacific Coast RFU. Pacific Coast's Mike Fanucchi and Jack Clark were most valuable back and most valuable forward respectively. Results:
TeamWLFA1Pacific Coast Grizzlies3064122Midwest Thunderbirds2168513Eastern Colonials1245554Western Mustangs032483
Champions: Pacific Coast Grizzlies Coach: Ron Mayes Captain: Jeff Hollings-Hooker (Old Blues) Roster: Rick Bailey-Prop (Old Blues), David Briley-Prop (Santa Monica), Mickey Ording-Prop (X–O RC), Jay Hansen-Hooker (San Francisco), Jack Clark-Lock (Old Blues), Chuck Hextrum-Lock (Old Blues), Brad Andrews-#8 (Santa Monica), Art Ward-#8 (Old Blues), Jeffrey Lombard-Flanker (Chuckanut Bay), David Morrison-Flanker (Santa Monica), Skip Niebauer-Flanker (BATS), Dave Bateman-Scrumhalf (Old Blues), Bob McFayden-Scrumhalf (OMBAC), Steve Gray-Flyhalf (Los Angeles), Thomas Smith-Flyhalf (Santa Monica), Tom O'Grady-Center (BATS), Michael Fanucchi-Center (BATS), Boyd Morrison-Center (Los Angeles), Del Chipman-Wing (UCLA), Lin Walton-Wing (OMBAC), Mike Purcell-Wing (BATS), Ian Gunn-Fullback (Old Puget Sound), Dennis Jablonski-Fullback (Santa Monica).
References