2021 Hall of Fame Inductees & Special Award Recipients
On behalf of the United States Rugby Foundation, it is our honor to announce the US Rugby Class of 2021 Hall of Fame and special award recipients. Let’s celebrate those that have played a major role in developing the sport of rugby in the United States. Pending COVID-19 guidelines and regulations, we hope to honor these inductees at a live US Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony later this year. Please stay tuned for updates and announcements on that event.
Hall of Fame
Alatini Saulala
Alatini Saulala, a native of Vava’u, Tonga, is the definition of a rugby warrior. As one of the few international rugby players to be selected to represent more than one national team during his career, his resume speaks for itself. From the time he began playing rugby in his youth to his presence on the international stage, he is known throughout the rugby world for his skill and his unwavering values and integrity.
“Tongan by birth, he represents the best of what his ancestors would consider a true warrior. As dedicated and destructive as he was on the rugby field, he was the epitome of humility and gentleness off of it. A man of faith and family, he is kind, generous, and committed. His passion for rugby and others was always bigger than himself. His mark on the game goes beyond the US National Team,” said former teammate and friend, Brian Hightower.
Alatini moved stateside to San Diego, California where he served as a Mormon missionary. After completing his mission, he attended Ricks College, now known as BYU, Idaho, where he played football. After suffering a leg injury from football, he returned to his roots on the rugby pitch. In 1994, he moved to San Mateo, California and teamed up with fellow Hall of Famer, Vaea Anitoni, and co-founded the San Mateo Rugby Club. As a founder, player and head coach of San Mateo Rugby Club, Saulala helped the club win two 15s and 7s National Championships along with the CanAm Tournament.
In 1997 there were five USA 7s players selected from San Mateo. On the international stage, Saulala shined for the Tonga National Rugby team from 1990 to 1991. With Tonga, he played in three tours and appeared in 16 total test matches over a span of three years. He continued his illustrious career with the US Rugby National Team from 1997 to 2000. As a center for Eagle 15s, he played in 20 games, including the 1999 Rugby World Cup, and earned 16 caps. For the Eagles 7s, he earned 12 caps. Most notably he played in the Hong Kong Sevens in 1998 and 1999. In the 1999 Hong Kong Sevens, he led the tournament in tries. From the sidelines, Saulala has coached for a variety of clubs across the Northern California Bay Area region including: San Mateo Rugby Club, Cal State Monterey College Rugby Club, South Valley Rugby Men’s Club, Morgan Hill Rugby High School Club, Nor-Cal Pelicans 7s, United Rugby Youth Rugby, East Palo Alto Bulldogs Men’s Rugby, and Google Rugby.
“Alatini carried on his professionalism giving back to the game of rugby after he retired. He continued coaching clubs and youth leagues at their local area. I admire his love for the game and skills, looking up to him as a great role model. While coaching, he is a family man at the same time and is very much involved in his kids’ sports as a father and a coach,” said Anitoni. He currently serves as the head varsity coach for Peninsula Green High School Rugby Club and remains very involved in the rugby community.
Ed Todd
Ed Todd was an innovating and inspiring rugby referee and administrator. Beloved by many for his leadership and love for the game, he built the very foundation that USA Rugby and Northern California Rugby Referee Societies stand on today. Ed played rugby for the University of Southern California from 1966 to 1970. During his four-year tenure, he served as varsity rugby scrum half and team captain. The 1967 season was a blockbuster for the Trojans as they amassed three championships: crowned Monterey Tournament Champions, League Champions, and an AAWU Conference Championship. Ed was named Most Valuable Player the following season in 1968. Upon graduating from USC, he continued his athletic and academic education at the University of California Hastings College of Law in San Francisco. While in law school, he founded the school’s rugby club and served as player coach. After completing his playing career, Ed continued to make his mark on the game by becoming an active referee and administrator.
Ed would become an A Panel referee from 1996-1998 in the Northern California region. He would advance at multiple levels serving as a B-3 to A-2 referee throughout the United States and beyond. Some of his most notable tournaments and matches include the Canada Cup in 1996 and as head referee for Wales vs. USA South in 1997. He served as a referee administrator for USA Rugby and the Northern California Rugby Football Referee Society for over 30 years.
During his time as a referee administrator, he developed and educated thousands of referees. Ed’s vision helped initiate USA Rugby’s Disciplinary procedures and managed USA Rugby’s disciplinary proceedings for a number of years. He helped write the Northern California Rugby Football Referee Society incorporation documents and was one of the four original signers. Ed published numerous videos, articles and papers, including “The Referee Coaching Manual,” which educated and set the standard for American referees.
From 2005 to 2014 Ed served as the USA Rugby Referee Development Manager and oversaw national referee standards and education. His referee IQ would lead him all across the globe amongst the best of the best, having attended the New Zealand Referee Manager Conference in 2005 and developing the Rugby World Cup referee objectives in 2007. He remained a dedicated USAR and IRB administrator and educator through 2019.
In addition to his referee responsibilities, Ed found time to coach at the youth level for Lamorinda Youth Rugby U19 and U15 teams from 2003 to 2005. He also served as the St. Mary’s College Team Manager from 2000 to 2004. Ed undoubtedly laid the foundation for the present-day standard of refereeing. His impact has traveled to rugby pitches locally, nationally, and globally and his legacy will remain ingrained in American rugby for years to come.
Kevin O'Brien
Kevin O’Brien is the winningest coach in USA Women’s Rugby history, with an undefeated international record of 7-0, the best points scored versus points against margin (155-22) in U.S. Eagles history, and the only coach to bring home a Rugby World Cup trophy to the United States.
O’Brien, a native of Wales, attended and played rugby for Saint Mary’s College in London, England from 1966 to 1970. When women’s rugby began to take hold in the United States in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Beantown Women’s Rugby contacted Kevin and sent him a one-way ticket to the United States to become their new head coach. The rest is history.
Kevin’s coaching achievements include stints at the high school, collegiate, club, and international levels. To name a few, he served as head coach for the USA Women’s National Team, Middlebury College Men’s Rugby Team, Harvard University Men’s Rugby Team, Burlington Men’s Rugby Club, Beantown Women’s Rugby Club, Eastern Women’s Rugby Union All-Stars, and co-coach of the South Burlington High School Boy’s Rugby Team.
The O’Brien effect would follow him everywhere he would go, as winning was a constant. At the international level he led the USA Women’s National Team to a 1991 Women’s Rugby World Cup Championship. He also took Middlebury College Men’s team to the Division II Collegiate finals in 2008 before winning the National title in 2009.
At the club level, Kevin coached the Burlington Men’s Club to an appearance in the Division II Men’s National Final Eight in 1997 and a spot in the Division II Men’s National Final Four in 1995 and 1996. Under his tenure at Beantown Women’s Rugby Club, he coached the program to three Women’s National Club Championship titles in 1982, 1983, and 1991.
With over 45 years of coaching experience, O’Brien’s success and impact is unparalleled.
“Kevin is a great coach because he respects every woman rugby player. Ability level, sexual preference, intellect, never matters to him. Everyone is welcome to the pitch and learns from him. He has a vast understanding of rugby and knows how to translate it to the audience with flair and humor. He has an ability to teach when students don’t realize they are being taught. He is self-effacing and knows when to laugh at himself. Humor is an essential part of rugby and Kevin is a master at it. Above all, his integrity has continued to shine through the years- from helping build a club with morals and discipline, to mentoring players to play with intensity but respect for the game and opponents,” said friend and former Beantown Women’s Rugby player, Annie Flavin.O’Brien remains active in the rugby community, serving as a World Rugby Educator and USA Rugby Coach Educator.
Mike MacDonald
Mike MacDonald began his rugby career as a sophomore in high school in Orinda, California. His talents would lead him to play at the collegiate level for perennial powerhouse, the University of California, Berkeley.
From 2000-2004, MacDonald helped the Bears earn four National Championships and was named the 2004 National Championship MVP. During his collegiate career, he was selected for the US Collegiate All-Americans in all five years. Following college, Mike made his way across the pond and played internationally for the Worcester Warriors and Leeds Carnegie in England. In 2008, he received the dual honors of being voted Players Player of the Year and Supporters Player of the Year for Leeds. He was named captain of the Leeds Carnegie professional side the following season. Stateside, MacDonald made his USA Rugby Eagle 15s debut against Fiji on June 30th, 2000. He represented the United States in three Rugby World Cups in 2003, 2007, and 2011.
In the 2011 Rugby World Cup, MacDonald broke two US records: he recorded his 63rd cap, surpassing Luke Gross in becoming the most capped player in Eagle history, and notched his 11th appearance in a Rugby World Cup match, breaking the record previously held by Alec Parker. Mike was also named the Man of the Match in 2007 versus Tonga and in the Eagles win against Russia in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He finished his Eagle’s career with a then record of 67 caps. Upon completion of his playing career, Mike was hired on staff as an assistant coach for his alma mater, Cal, in 2013. He has just completed his ninth season as forwards coach with the Bears and remains heavily involved in the rugby community.
Phaidra Knight
Phaidra Knight is a jack of all trades: a trailblazing rugby player, sports media talent, lawyer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and mixed martial artist. Her versatility on and off the field is what makes her a beacon for American rugby.
Knight, a native of Irwinton, Georgia, grew up playing basketball and tennis for Wilkinson County High. She attended college at Alabama State University, followed by law school at the University of Wisconsin. While in law school, Phaidra was introduced to rugby and played for the Wisconsin Women Rugby Club. Her level of play was quickly recognized, and she was named to the Midwest All-Stars 15s and 7s teams from 1997-2002.
After a move to the East Coast, Phaidra played for the New York Rugby Club for over 15 years, serving as captain on multiple occasions and winning national championship titles with the team in 2006, 2009 and 2010. She also appeared on the pitch for Old Blue New York and the Northeast All-Stars, earning various MVP honors.
Her raw talent and natural athleticism led her to skyrocket to an elite level of play early on in her rugby career. Knight cemented her presence as one of the premier players in the sport appearing for the USA Eagles 15s and 7s teams over the course of 18 years. Playing for the Eagles 15s on over 10 tours, she earned 35 caps and started in three World Cups in 2002, 2006 and 2010.
Her level of play brought her many accolades, including being named to the World 15s Team in both 2003 and 2006, recognition as the USA Player of the Decade in 2010, and an induction into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2017. From 2006 to 2009, Knight appeared on the pitch for the Eagles 7s, appearing in five tours and earning nine caps.
On the sidelines, Phaidra has served in numerous roles from coach to broadcaster. She served as the strength and conditioning coach for Columbia University Women’s Rugby from 2007 to 2010, forwards coach for Princeton University Women’s Rugby from 2013-2016, coach and mentor for Play Rugby USA from 2008 to 2012, assistant coach for the Community Development Olympic Program from 2016-2017, and most recently as head coach for the Monroe College Women’s Rugby Team from 2016-2018. She has established a notable media resume working as a broadcaster for ESPN, NBC, CBS Sports, and Flo Sports. While her rugby playing days may be over, Phaidra has remained active in the rugby community and has pursued various entrepreneurial endeavors in addition to taking on the sport of MMA.
In 2019, she founded PeaK Unleashed Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the personal and physical development of marginalized youth through rugby and yoga. In the midst of the 2020 pandemic, she launched the PSK Collective, a global clothing brand rooted in supporting social justice causes. She has served on the USA Rugby Board of Directors. In addition to serving on their Board of Trustees, she is the current President of the Women’s Sports Foundation.
“Salty” Thompson
Wilbert “Salty” Thompson’s vision for American rugby has transformed the growth and the future of the sport. His dedication to the education and development of young players has created a pipeline that will sustain the success of the USA Eagles for years to come. A native of Northern Ireland, Thompson began his rugby career at Regent House School and was an Ulster u19 and u23 player. Salty attended Loughborough University, England, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science and was a dual sport athlete, competing in track and rugby.
He served as freshman rugby captain in 1976, second team captain in 1978, and was selected to the 7s first team in 1979, competing in the Middlesex 7s. Salty finished his collegiate career winning the Monterey International Tournament with a talented Loughborough University squad.
Salty taught and coached at Ratcliffe College, England and played for Nottingham before attending Arizona State University, and earning a Masters in Secondary Education. Following ASU he resumed teaching at Ratcliffe and played for Nottingham and Stoneygate Rugby Clubs. He also ran 400m for Northern Ireland between 1983 and 1986, competing in UK and European meets.
Salty returned to Arizona in 1986 and made it his home, teaching in the Tolleson Union HS District and playing for the Tempe Rugby Club. He represented the Pacific Coast Grizzlies in the ITTs and the U.S. Cougars in both 15s and 7s. He also played for Atlantis before starting a coaching career that spans over 30 years at club, all star and national team levels.Salty’s coaching career started and continues with Tempe Rugby. He coached Atlantis 7s and the Southern California Griffins in 15s and 7s before taking on the role as USA u19 Boys Head Coach in 2002. He coached USA Age Grade teams, u19s, u20s and High School All American levels until 2018. That timeline included seven u19 IRB World Championships, the inaugurial 2008 World u20 Championships and the 1st World Trophy in 2009. In 2010 he became the Head Coach for the High School All Americans until 2018.
During his era with USA Rugby, Salty and his staff helped nurture over 40 Eagles, 35 Eagle 7s and even more Collegiate All Americans. The current MLR rosters contain over 35 American players that came through the USA Age Grades during Salty’s tenure. As a career educator he also served USA Rugby and the IRB, now World Rugby, as a Coach Educator.
Salty retired from a 25 year teaching career to become the Director of Eagle Impact Rugby Academy (EIRA) in 2013. Since EIRA’s creation, the program has produced significant numbers of High School All-Americans, u20s, Collegiate All Americans, MLR and Eagles (both 7s and 15s). Through EIRA, Salty has led the charge in closing the gap in the global game of rugby and influenced thousands of young ruggers nationwide. “He not only is a great coach and mentor through his actions and integrity, but he sets the standard for these players and coaches to live by. He has given me an opportunity to learn more about being a successful coach. He has given numerous coaches this same opportunity. He is honest and open to anyone who is willing to learn,” said Tim Kluempers.
Salty credits the love and devotion from his wife, Beth, and family for allowing him to follow his passion for the game. He also acknowledges the coaches, managers, trainers and others that have and continue to grow the game.
Todd Clever
Todd Clever made his presence known at an early age as he burst onto the pitch at age 14. He played for College Park Rugby Football Club while attending Santa Teresa High School in San Jose, California. He played for the USA Junior Eagles U19 in 2000, 2001 and 2002, and played in the Junior World Cup in 2001 and 2002. Clever attended the University of Nevada and played rugby for the Wolfpack from 2001 to 2004. His collegiate career was marked with three Collegiate All-American nods. Upon finishing his collegiate career, Clever would carry on to play a 15-year career with the Eagle 15s and received a record 76 international caps, 53 of them as captain. He appeared in three Rugby World Cup squads with the Eagles: 2003, 2007, and captained the 2011 team. His on-field performance would earn him recognition as the American Rugby Player of the Decade for 2000-2009 and selection to the Team of the Decade for 2010-2019. Todd also appeared on the pitch as prop for the Eagles 7s from 2004 to 2011. During his tenure with the Eagles 7s, he played in 26 tournaments throughout the World, in addition to being named co-captain and vice-captain on multiple occasions. With the Eagles 7s he played in the 2005 and 2009 7’s Rugby World Cups. His illustrious career for the Eagles would affectionately earn him the nickname of “Captain America.”
“I have nothing but admiration for who he is, what he stands for, and how he goes about implementing his work as a person, back rower, teammate, and captain. He is also very competitive, passionate, and loyal to his country, teams, and to a team ethos that understands what he values most before anything else,” said former Eagles Head Coach, John Mitchell.
Alongside his career as an Eagle, he played at the club level for Old Mission Beach Athletic Club. With OMBAC, he led the team to a Cal Cup Championship. He also played for the Austin Huns in 2017 and led the program to a Division I National Championship. Clever was named to the Pacific Coast Grizzlies on over 10 occasions.
At the professional level, Todd’s first contract was with North Harbour in New Zealand, then moved to Johannesburg, South Africa for the Golden Lions from 2009 to 2010. In 2009, he set dual honors becoming the first American to play Super Rugby and the first American to score a try in Super Rugby. Todd also played in the Japan Top League for Suntory from 2010-2012. During his career with Suntory, he helped lead the team to the Japan Cup Championships in 2011 and 2012. He has also appeared on the pitch for Japan Top League’s NTT Communications. Clever’s last overseas contract was in the English Premiership with Newcastle Falcons before moving back to the States to play in the Major League Rugby competition for Austin.
Off the pitch, Clever has served on the USA Rugby Board of Directors as International Athlete representative from 2017-2019, executed administrative roles as Co-General Manager and Director of Rugby for Major League Rugby’s Austin Elite from 2018 to 2020, and as a Director of Memphis Inner City Rugby. One of his many efforts in giving back to the game of rugby has been the recent establishment of the Todd Clever Foundation, an organization created to provide financial and supportive services to rugby players and teams across the globe.
Tristan Lewis
With over 25 years of administrative and managerial experience for USA Rugby, Tristan Lewis is regarded as the “Manager of Managers.”
Lewis, a countryman of England, began his rugby career at a very young age. He attended London University from 1968-1970 where he was also a member of the rugby team. He transferred to London School of Economics from 1970-1972. While in London, he played for the London Welsh Rugby Football Club. A job opportunity brought Lewis stateside in 1977 and he was introduced to the Old Blue Rugby Football Club in New York City. Tristan played more socially for Old Blue as work was all encompassing.
After moving to Chicago in 1984, Lewis sought a rugby club and found a home with the Chicago Lions. With work still remaining a priority, Lewis didn’t make his first appearance at a match for a few years and realizing his playing days were over, he quickly turned his sights on helping the club administration and the rest is history.He joined the Lions executive committee in 1993 and utilized his team management skills to help guide the team to win a bid to host the national club championships in 1994. His managerial savviness led him to become the Director of Rugby for the Chicago Lions from 1994 to 2006. He was also elected vice president of the club in 1996. He received the Chicago Lions Rugby Football Club Lowry Lion Award in 1995 as recognition for having made the greatest contributions to the well-being of the club through efforts both on and off the field.
Tristan found his stride and soon became a pillar in American rugby administration. He served as vice president of competitions for Midwest Rugby Football Union and was responsible for all territorial competitions and all-star teams, including acting as general manager for the senior men’s all-star team. He was instrumental in rewriting the Midwest RFU constitution to reflect the union’s position in USA Rugby.
While continuing to serve on the Midwest RFU board, Tristan was a member of the USA Rugby Board and elected vice president of USA Rugby in 1998. He remained involved in his position until 2000, when he pursued higher level positions. Lewis’ talents led him to manage for various USA Rugby National teams and coaches on both the men’s and women’s sides.
In his role as manager for USA Rugby National teams, he was responsible for budget management, player needs both on and off the field, travel, team standards, public and media relations, sponsorship, operations, equipment, and sideline management on match days. “He is overwhelmingly respected by the players he has served and that can only be surpassed by his absolute and uncompromised respect for the USA Eagles. Quite simply, he has been the gatekeeper of tradition for the program and is responsible for countless statistics, artifacts, and memorabilia that have accumulated through the ages.
He has carried on the tradition during several tenures of coaches and across a multitude of generations of players, groups of young men who unintentionally tried to chip away at Eagle tradition through the behaviors of new fads, styles, and influences,” said former Eagles Head Coach, Mike Tolkin. His career in team management covered 14 years, 85 tests and other A level matches, three Men’s 15s Rugby World Cups and two Rugby World Cup 7s for both the Eagle men and women.
Lewis traveled the globe guiding the USA to numerous 7s tournament and up until 2015, every Eagle earning their 50th cap did so under Lewis’ management under some point in his career.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Bob Hoder
Bob Hoder was a visionary and fierce advocate for the promotion of rugby in the United States. His grassroots approach helped shape what the game has become today at the youth, collegiate, club, and professional levels.
Hoder, a Rhode Island native, attended the University of Rhode Island (1958-1962) where he was a walk-on freshman for the football team. His tenacity on the football field earned him election to senior captain and ultimately the URI Athletic Hall of Fame. Following his collegiate football career, Bob discovered rugby and began his career with Old Blue Rugby Football Club in New York City. He would carry on to co-found the Providence Rugby Club and play for the club for over 15 years. Hoder was a force on the pitch at the hooker and flanker positions and helped lead Providence to championships at the Saranac Lake and New England Rugby Tournaments.
Bob’s passion for rugby was not for fame, but rather for enacting a vision of advancing the sport across New England, the United States, and beyond. He turned his passion for rugby into a business by founding Rugby Imports in 1971. After noticing a lack in the availability of rugby kits in America, he began importing Halbro rugby jerseys into the United States and that started the ball rolling. Rugby Imports would grow to become a powerhouse rugby supplier and a leader in coaching education and resources. Bob used his business as a platform to give back to the game that he loved so dearly.“
He truly believed that if Rugby was going to become a popular sport in this country, that you needed to start the kids out playing and the more people that were exposed to the sport would make it grow. He did not care about select side and being recognized by his peers in the rugby community, he believed in growing the game by starting, nurturing, and expanding at the grassroots level. Bob Hoder loved the game of Rugby Football and gave back to the game every single day,” said former teammate and friend, Pete Thorpe.
Bob served as a coach for Barrington High School, Providence Rugby Club, and the University of Rhode Island and also refereed at various levels throughout New England.
Not only did Hoder and Rugby Imports lay the groundwork for rugby apparel and product in America, but more importantly sponsored USA Rugby’s first Coach Education Program. Because of Hoder’s advocacy, hundreds of coaches were educated and certified across the United States.“
Few have given greater service to the game than the late Bob Hoder of Rugby Imports. His commitment to our sport was immense, his generosity unbounded and his energy unparalleled,” said former USA Rugby National Technical Director, George Hook.
Chairman's Award
Jeremy Glick and Mark Bingham
On September 11th, 2001 the world stopped as the United States of America was under attack. As many Americans stood paralyzed in fear within their own homes and on the streets below, Mark Bingham and Jeremy Glick were two of 40 passengers aboard United Flight 93 when the hijacking occurred. Mark Bingham, a native of Northern California, began his rugby career as a teen. His tenacity on the pitch made him stand out from the rest. Bingham was routinely selected to Northern California high school and age group representative sides.
His athleticism and academic prowess led him to the University of California, Berkeley, where he played second row and also donned the No. 8 jersey. He was a member of the Cal National Collegiate Championship teams in 1991 and 1992. Bingham played for the Olympic Club from 1993-1995. Most notably he founded and played for the San Francisco Fog in October 2000. With the Fog, he led the team to win the first ever International Gay Rugby Tournament in Washington, D.C. in June of 2001.
Mark is remembered as more than just a standout rugby player, but ultimately a consummate team player and friend. “When he met someone new, his interest in them was genuine and irresistible. He lived for a hard-fought match and a good party with teammates and opponents where the respect was always mutual. He was open to every new experience and his enthusiasm was contagious. On the rugby pitch, it raised the level of play of the entire team, and I am certain that these qualities were a significant factor in the ultimate team endeavor that overcame the terrorists on that fateful day in September of 2001,” said former coach and friend, Dan Smith.
Jeremy Glick was a dual sport athlete at the University of Rochester from 1990-1993. He was an accomplished rugby player for Rochester and served as team captain from 1992-1993. He was also a member of the Judo team and a 1993 National Collegiate Judo Champion. His athletic ability and leadership skills would prepare him for the most important match of his life. When terrorists seized United Flight 93, fellow ruggers Bingham and Glick teamed up and valiantly rushed the hijackers, forcing the plane down into an empty field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. “Teammates for less than an hour, Mark and Jeremy made the word “rugby” synonymous with the words “patriot” and “hero”. US Rugby should be proud.
When Mark Bingham and Jeremy Glick found themselves at the center of a national crisis, they teamed up and stormed the cockpit of Flight 93. The rugby players on board were ready and took action,” said Cal’s Head Rugby Coach, Jack Clark. As a result of Mark and Jeremy’s actions, they helped save the lives of countless individuals. They both respectively received numerous honors for their act of heroism, including: the Arthur Ashe Courage Award by ESPN Sports in 2002; bestowed the Medal of Heroism, the highest civilian honor Given by the Sons of the American Revolution; and were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor along with the crew and passengers of United Flight 93.
Jeremy Glick is remembered as a talented athlete, beloved son, husband, father, and friend, an outstanding person, and most importantly an American hero. Mark’s impact reverberates as not only an American hero, but also as an icon within the gay community.
In honor of Mark, his San Francisco Fog teammates advocated for the International Gay Rugby Tournament to host its second tournament in San Francisco in 2002. The tournament was appropriately renamed the Bingham Cup and is played biennially. “Mark was a lover of the game and a hero for all time who singularly inspired an enormous global embrace of rugby and inclusivity,” says nominator and fellow Cal alum Jean Strauss. And perhaps Senator and American hero John McCain said it best when he attended a memorial for Mark on the Berkeley campus: “I may very well owe my life to Mark and the others who summoned the enormous courage and love necessary to deny those depraved hateful men their terrible triumph.”
