Tam Breckenridge
2020
Inductee
Tam Breckenridge was arguably the premier lock in all of women’s rugby in the late 80s and early 90s.
Championships run in her blood. Her athletic career was marked with numerous accolades from the very beginning. Breckenridge was a multi-sport athlete at Crescenta Valley High School in Glendale, California and then played basketball for the UCLA Bruins, where she was part of the 1978 National Championship team.
Breckenridge transitioned to rugby after a shoulder injury derailed her basketball career. She represented the U.S. from 1988-94. She helped the Eagles take home the first ever Women’s Rugby World Cup title in 1991.
Off the pitch, Tam served in the UCLA Athletics Department for over 20 years, including as Assistant Athletic Director. She worked extensively to advance the sport of rugby at the community and national levels.
Prior to her induction into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame, Breckenridge was inducted into the Crescenta Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame and her 1978 UCLA Bruin team was recognized by the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. Her victorious 1991 USA Women’s RWC team was inducted into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame in 2017.