Terry O’Reilly Memorial Scholarship Announced

In 2016, the USRF introduced the Terry O’Reilly Memorial Scholarship, awarded to a deserving high school senior rugby player who goes on to play rugby in college. Cal freshman, Owen Duvall, was the first recipient of the $2,500 Terry O’Reilly Memorial Scholarship. The most recent recipient is Lindenwood University’s Ava Denner.

‍

The application process for the Terry O’Reilly Memorial Scholarships will run from May 1 thru August 31 of each calendar year.

‍

To make things as easy as possible, applicants will now be able to indicate whether they want to apply for a particular scholarship or all four on one easy to complete application. Applicants can even save the work they’ve done on the application and come back and finish it another day.

‍

Download Application [PDF]

‍

Click on the link above to apply for a U.S. Rugby Foundation College Scholarship. These independent scholarships are open to all graduating high school rugby players in the U.S. who will be pursuing their rugby career while continuing their education at the collegiate level.

‍

Terry O’Reilly was a passionate rugby player and supporter throughout his life. Born in Farnborough, England, he played for St. Anselm’s College in Birkenhead before he emigrated to America when he was 16. Growing up in Los Angeles, he continued to play rugby for Loyola Marymount. Spurning a career in television to continue his on-field play, he chose a legal career through a stint at Boalt Law School at Berkeley, where he played rugby for Cal. Following law school, he continued to play for several club teams, including the Bay Area Touring Side (“BATS”), the Old Blues of Berkeley, and the San Jose Silverhawks.Following his 25 years of active play, Terry was extremely active in supporting the Northern California Rugby Football Union and Cal rugby. He was a Trustee of the U.S. Rugby Foundation from 1993 to his death in 2015. He was dedicated to making rugby as popular a sport in the United States as it is in most of the rest of the world.

‍

A big man – he stood 6’2” and weighed 250 pounds – Mr. O’Reilly will also be remembered for his larger-than-life persona. He fully embraced the culture of his adopted country and he had a particular affinity for cowboy culture; when he wasn’t in a suit, he could often be found wearing a big cowboy hat and boots. He loved jazz music and served as a Trustee of the San Francisco Traditional Jazz organization. Mr. O’Reilly was also an avid vintage-car racing enthusiast, competing in classic car rallies around the world.

‍

Donate to the Terry O’Reilly Memorial Scholarship Fund Today!