Club History

Based on a loose affiliation with Saint Louis University, the SLU Rugby Club was first established in 1957. Strides were taken early on to develop a unique Club identity and culture by the founding members, and throughout the 60’s, 70’s, and early 80’s, the Club legitimized itself as an organization exclusive to the University, strengthening it's status as a Club sport at SLU as it experienced varying degrees of success in those years.

By the early 1990’s SLU Rugby had already sent many former players on to prominent playing careers with area man’s clubs such as the St. Louis Falcons, St, Louis Bombers, and the St. Louis Ramblers, as it grew in popularity and esteem both on campus and amongst these local area clubs. Coached by Bill Brandt, SLU teams of the early 90’s began dominating local competitions, setting the framework for the continued success SLU Rugby sees today.

Since 1996, SLU has won the Missouri Union Langenberg Cup Championship six times and has participated in four Western Territorial Championships, placing 4th in division 1 in 1996, and 6th in division 2 in 2002. During that timeframe the boys can also boast top-4 finishes in the Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Tournament, St. Louis Ruggerfest, Carbondale All Fools, Heart of America, and a number of other regional competitions.

Dan Weir and Justin Whitton took the coaching reigns in 2004, leading SLU all the way to the 2005 Western division 2 semi-final and a 4th-place finish, and within one win of the National Championship Tournament.

SLU Rugby is recognized as one of the premier Club sports at Saint Louis University, and has continued to develop skilled players over the years who have gone on to contribute to successful men’s clubs throughout the country. There are SLU Rugby alumni currently on the rosters of the Chicago Lions, Chicago Griffins, Chicago Condors, Cincinnati Wolfhounds, Kansas City Blues, St. Louis Bombers, St. Louis Ramblers, and the St. Louis Royals.

(Thank you to Peter Kowalski '02 for your contributions to this page.)