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It Was a Night to Remember at the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Dinner

September 6, 2015

San Diego, CA (September 6, 2015) – Nearly 150 rugby enthusiasts, family and friends were on hand on Friday, September 4 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago to help the United States Rugby Foundation honor the 12 members of the Class of 2015 at the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Dinner.(www.usrugbyhalloffame.org).This year’sinductees included 1920 and 1924 Olympic Rugby Gold Medalist, Rudy Scholz; past U.S. National Team player and head coach, and current Cal assistant coach, Tom Billups; past United States National Team players Bill Fraumann, Ed Burlingham, Mickey Ording, Mike Purcell, Jeff Lombard and Patty Jervey; former U.S. 7s and Atlantis head coach, Emil Signes; former international referee Don Morrison; three-time past-president of the USARFU and current USRF Chairman, Bob Watkins;and long serving officer of the Eastern Rugby Union and past Trustee of the U.S. Rugby Foundation, Dick Poulson.Also honored were Bob Latham, who received the Chairman’s Award; Ram Eddings and Nelson Spencer who received Lifetime Achievement Awards; and Rick Bailey, who received the coveted Sweeney Award.The evening kicked off with a cocktail reception that allowed guests a chance to mingle amongst this year’s honorees. Those guests included 35 past Eagles players and coaches, and Jaco Peyper, the referee for the following night’s test match between the U.S. Eagles and Australian Wallabies.2013 Hall of Fame inductee Dick Smith acted as emcee for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony which included several memorable moments filled with emotion. Each Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the Chairman’s Award and Lifetime Achievements Awards received gifts commemorating their special night. Sweeney Award recipient Bailey was presented with The Sweeney Award trophy which he will keep in his possession until the next Sweeney Award winner is named.Images of the award presentations as well as other images from the evening will be posted on the U.S. Rugby Foundation website (www.usrugbyfoundation.org) next week.The U.S.Rugby Hall of Fame website (www.usrugbyhalloffame.org) has been updated to include biographies and images of this year’s Hall of Fame inductees and recipients of the Chairman and Lifetime Achievement Awards.The U.S.Rugby Foundation congratulates all of those honored and expresses their thanks to those who attened the 2015 U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Dinner.The U.S. Rugby Hallof Fame and its Foundation is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of U.S. Rugby; supporting the development of the game by funding programs for youth, high school and collegiate rugby; and individual player development programs.