Graduates of our rugby club have traditionally faired well after leaving Arvada and Broomfield. Former Tigers Rugby captain, Sam Glynn captured back to back regional championships while he attends St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Keith Closson has played rugby for Tigers RFC’s high school and Alumni side, and for clubs in Boston, and in Alaska. Keith helped the Coast Guard achieve their best finish ever in the Armed Forces Championship tournament. Both are graduates of Holy Family High School, where Tigers Rugby was initially formed.
The Blue Ox Rugby Club, of St. Paul, Minnesota beat North Dakota State University 25-5 in the final match of the Midwest Collegiate Championship, and blanked St. Mary’s University 35-0 in the semifinals match. The Blue Ox were founded by Tigers Rugby alum, Sam Glynn. After having lost to NDSU by 2 points earlier in the season, the Ox came into the game with a chip on their shoulder. The Ox were trailing NDSU 5-3 at halftime, and spent 20 minutesof the game with only 14 players on the field because of penalties,the Blue Ox fought back to defeat NDSU on October 26, 2010. Blue Ox Rugby Club qualified for USA Rugby’s Division III Collegiate Championship Tournament, representing the Midwest Rugby Union.
Keith Closson, another Tigers RFC player when living in Broomfield, Colorado, competed in the United States Armed Forces Rugby Championship. Closson, representing the Coast Guard is currently stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. The Coast Guard rugby team beat the Marines, 29-8, and Navy by a score of 48-3 at Ft. Benning, in Georgia on November 4th & 5th. Coast Guard lost to the Air Force in the Championship match, played in Atlanta on November 7, 2010.
Sponsors of TigersRugby include Coffman and Companies (owner Pat Quinlan), and Accelerate Physical Therapy (owners Paul O’Brian and Ross Hutchinson), both of Arvada, McDonald’s restaurants (owner Jim Boselli) in Arvada and Broomfield; and Gases & Arc Supply (owner Jim O’Connor) of Broomfield. Through the generosity of their sponsors, Tigers Rugby has been able to control the cost felt by the players for registration, field rental, equipment and tournament fees for high school and college aged young men
High school aged boys can begin instructional sessions under 7 coaches certified by USA Rugby beginning in December. An informational meeting will be held on December 11th in Broomfield to kick off the season. Tigers Rugby’s HS boys side begins competitive play with Rugby Colorado in February. The sanctioning body, Rugby Colorado, is one of the largest and most effective USA Rugby state based model organizations.
For additional information go to: www.TigersRugby.com; www.RugbyColorado.com; and www.rockymountainrugby.org (Eastern Rockies Rugby Football Union). Tigers Rugby’s HS side begins practice in December. Call Coach Paul O’Brian at (303) 506-8110 for more information about High School aged boys rugby in Arvada, Westminster and Broomfield. Colorado.
