1st row (L to R): Scott Juvelier (fullback), Dave Saunders (in-center), Hugo Lane (advisor), Jim McCormick (prop), Jim Atherton (hooker), Brian Hickey (prop), Eddie Silva (wing), AJ Chrzanowski (advisor), 2nd Row (L to R): Doug Gordon (out-center), Tia Fujiki (wing), Keith Ripley (lock), Cliff Barrett (lock), Walter Janke (wing-forward), Bob Gallicano (8-man), Rex Gillette (wing-forward), John Byrd (scrum-half), Tim Keiffer (fly-half).Wake Rugger Scott Juvelier '83 recently gave us the following glimpse into Wake Rugby Days of Yore:
To some degree, a team's character is a reflection of it's history. In 1979 (my freshman year), Wake Forest Rugby Football Club was a "city side" team. The Triad Dogs didn't exist and college students played (and partied) along side "townies". Grant Fuhr (our slightly insane 8-man), Ronnie (a HUGE lock), AJ Chrzanowski (an intense wing-forward), and of course Woody Mendenhall (our rotund and lovable prop) were legendary. In 1980-81, the Triad Dogs were formed and WFU became an all college team. The 1981 Howler proclaimed: "the Wake Forest Rugby Team loooked slightly inexperienced" - possibly an understatement.
In 1981-82 still with no coach (we were coached by our player captians Rex Gillette and Jim Atherton), sharing a playing field with the intramural teams, and operating on a budget of $800, WFURFC turned a corner. The team started off 6-0 beating much more established teams such as ECU, Fort Bragg (club), and UNCG. The highlight might have been our 3rd place finish at the fall ACC tournament at Duke where we defeated the home team in the consolation match. 3 members of that team were named to the North Carolina Rugby Football Union All-state team and participated in a match vs. the Virginia all-stars at VA Tech. 1st team: Scott Juvelier (fullback); 2nd team: Rex Gillette (wing-forward), Jim Atherton (hooker). This team solidified the reputation of Wake Forest Rugby as a group of athletes who could compete with the best.
The pride I have in being a member of these inagural squads is unequaled. I will remember the days spent playing and partying with nostalgia...and with no regrets.
I wish your current squad the best of luck and hope they enjoy rugby to the degree that these first squads learned to love the game.
In 1981-82 still with no coach (we were coached by our player captians Rex Gillette and Jim Atherton), sharing a playing field with the intramural teams, and operating on a budget of $800, WFURFC turned a corner. The team started off 6-0 beating much more established teams such as ECU, Fort Bragg (club), and UNCG. The highlight might have been our 3rd place finish at the fall ACC tournament at Duke where we defeated the home team in the consolation match. 3 members of that team were named to the North Carolina Rugby Football Union All-state team and participated in a match vs. the Virginia all-stars at VA Tech. 1st team: Scott Juvelier (fullback); 2nd team: Rex Gillette (wing-forward), Jim Atherton (hooker). This team solidified the reputation of Wake Forest Rugby as a group of athletes who could compete with the best.
The pride I have in being a member of these inagural squads is unequaled. I will remember the days spent playing and partying with nostalgia...and with no regrets.
I wish your current squad the best of luck and hope they enjoy rugby to the degree that these first squads learned to love the game.
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