United States Rugby Foundation Raises $1,000 from Autographed Baseball Auction

San Diego, CA (August 12, 2005) – The United States Rugby Foundation raised just over $1,000 for the U.S. Men’s Collegiate All-American rugby team from its recent eBay auction of autographed baseballs. The baseballs, donated by Dan Larrea, Director of Team Travel for the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club and a former rugby player, are signed by some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball, including current players Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, David Eckstein, Eric Gagne, Torii Hunter, Albert Pujols, Ben Sheets, and Ichiro Suzuki; New York Yankees Manager Joe Torre; along with Hall of Famers Tom Seaver, Don Sutton and Bob Uecker.“Our goal at the beginning of the auction was to reach $1,000 and with some heavy activity as the auctions came to a close, we were able to surpass that mark,” said USRF Executive Director Brian Vizard. “I want to thank all those who participated in the auctions and for the many others who have contributed to the All-Americans cause. I also want to thank Dan Larrea for providing another fund raising opportunity for the USRF.”The Collegiate All-Americans, comprised of the finest young rugby talent in the country, depart for New Zealand on August 13 for a two-match tour. The All-Americans play Wellington’s Old Boys University Rugby Club on August 20 in Wellington and close out their tour with a match against Massey University in Palmerston North on August 24.The USRF is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization established in 1963. Although its main focus is supporting youth and high school rugby, the Foundation also provides grants to coaches and referees; establishes international student exchanges and college scholarships, has assisted the United States Collegiate All-Americans and Boys Under-19 teams, and also provides grants to Safety and Risk Management Research.For more information about the United States Rugby Foundation, visit www.usrugbyfoundation.org.