Rugby Club
From USAFA Folklore
| Rugby Club | |
|---|---|
| Established: | 1962 |
| Club type: | Competitive |
The Rugby Club (also known as the Zoomie Rugby Football Club or ZRFC) is a competitive club sport that competes in intercollegiate-level rugby. Both the men's and women's sides have been highly successful, winning seven national championships between the two.
Contents |
[edit] Men's Club
[edit] History
Men's rugby was initially played informally. In 1962, Air Force beat RAF Cranwell 14-0 in the first international match. In 1968, a formal rugby club was founded by Alan Osur and Angus MacDonald. Since that time, the Academy's men's rugby team has consistently competed at the top collegiate and premiere levels and has positively represented the Air Force with multiple accolades. In 1970, the first interservice match was played: Air Force lost to Army 15-18, but beat Navy 31-0.
Since the development of a men's collegiate rugby championship series in 1980 (when Air Force placed second), USAFA has qualified for the national tournament 18 times, placed in the top four nationally 13 times and earned the national championship in 1989, 1990 and 2003. Additionally, USAFA has continually out-paced service academy rivals Army and Navy, which have never placed higher than second nationally.
[edit] Championships
- Air Force was the Collegiate Men's Rugby national champion 3 times: 1989, 1990, and 2003
- Air Force was men's national runners-up in 1980, 1983, 1987, 1993, and 1995.
[edit] Women's Club
[edit] History
The USAF Academy Women's Rugby Club was founded in 1977 by Alan Osur. Until 1980, the men and women operated as one club. The women were successful for many years inside Colorado, but little known outside the state until women's national championship competition was organized in 1991. Under the coaching of Vern Avery, the Zoomies won the national championship in 1991. That set the standard for all Air Force Women's teams which followed, and the cadets have responded with a highly successful, national recognized program ever since. In addition, the team and players have been recognized around the Academy for their excellence and winning tradition. The club has always participated in national competition, either in the Final Four or Round of 16, the only team in the country to do so, and has never finished below fifth in the nation. The women have won four national championships (1991, 1994, 2002, 2003), more than any other team, and also has numerous second, third, and fourth place finishes. The USAFA women have had at least three All-American selectees every year since selections started in 1995. Two of its players, Shalanda Baker (Class of 1998) and Laura McDonald (Class of 2002), have played for the national team.
[edit] Championships
- Air Force was the Collegiate Women's Rugby national champions 4 times: 1991, 1994, 2002 and 2003
