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Over 40 Past U.S. Eagles and U.S. Rugby Hall of Famers to Attend this Year’s Induction Dinner

July 28, 2019

San Diego, CA (June 27, 2019) — The United States Rugby Foundation and USA Rugby invite you to join them in helping honor the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Class of 2019 at this year’s U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. Join in the fun and help welcome in this year’s inductees.

The registration deadline is 12:00 p.m. PST on Friday, July 19, 2019.

The eight newest members of the United States Rugby Hall of Fame will be inducted on Friday, July 26, 2019 at Infinity Park in Glendale, CO, the day before the U.S. Men’s National Team hosts Canada at Infinity Park. The annual Hall of Fame Dinner is the Foundation’s most important fundraising event. A table for eight can be purchased for $1,500, individual seats can be purchased for $200, while individual student (18 years old and younger) registration can be purchased for $100. Children’s meals are available for kids 10 and under for $75.

Register now for the 2019 U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Dinner.

A portion of each individual and table purchase will be considered tax-deductible. A cocktail reception will take place from 5:30-7:00 p.m., Dinner from 7:00-8:00 p.m., with the Induction Ceremony to follow.

Always a major fundraiser for the U.S. Rugby Foundation, this year’s U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will once again see the participation and involvement of USA Rugby in the HOF festivities.“The Hall of Fame Induction Dinner is getting more popular with each passing year,” said U.S. Rugby Foundation President Brian Vizard. “We already have over 200 guests registered and we are still a month out. It’s great to see all the past Eagles and Hall of Fame members who will be there. It should be a memorable night followed by what promises to be a great match between the Eagles and Canada. The Foundation thanks Ross, Barbara, Chris and all the others at USA Rugby for their support.”

The U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Class of 2019 includes past U.S. Eagle players Vaea Naufahu Anitoni, Bob Causey, Jen Crawford, Luke Gross and Shawn Lipman; long-serving rugby players and administrators, John Decker and the late Jay A. “Tyke” Nollman (represented by his wife, Jane Nollman); and one of the all-time top U.S. referees, Don Reordan.

In addition to those past U.S. Eagles mentioned above, the following U.S. players and coaches have already confirmed their attendance at this year’s induction dinner: Brad Andrews, Steve Finkel, Mike Purcell, George Betzler, Jeff Hollings, Tony Ridnell, Jay Hanson, Juan Grobler, Ed Burlingham, Ron Mayes, Ray Cornbill, Rich Schurfeld, Chip Howard, Brian Hightower, Kevin Swiryn, Tim O’Brien, Tommy Smith, Gary Wilson, Butch Horwath, Bill LeClerc, Kathy Flores, Brian Vizard, Robbie Flynn, John Jelaco, John Mickel, Dan Lyle, Bill Fraumann, Candi Orsini, Dave Hodges and Mike Garrity.

Hall of Fame inductees Andrews, Orsini, Flores, Mayes, Cornbill, O’Brien, Finkel, Purcell, Smith, Betzler, Hanson, Burlingham, Vizard, Lyle, Fraumann, and Hodges will be joined in the crowd by fellow Hall of Fame members Bob Watkins, Jim Russell, Don Haider, Jay Waldron, Terry Fleener, Dick Smith, Dr. Lyle Micheli, Patti Prusmack (representing her late husband, A. Jon Prusmack) and Trudy Morrison (representing her late husband, Don Morrison).

Also being recognized during the awards ceremony will be the recipients of the first ever Prusmack Awards, bestowed to the top male and female collegiate 7s player in the country.

Congratulations to the Class of 2019 who are joining the 63 who have already been inducted into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame. Like the preceding eight classes of inductees, the Class of 2019 have made a lasting mark on United States rugby.

The U.S. Rugby Hall of 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.

Register now for the 2019 U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Dinner.