The 1980 National Rugby Championships were a series of tournaments organized to determine a national champion in several divisions for United States rugby teams. The divisions included Men's/Women's Club, college, Military, Sevens, and Interterritorial.
The 1980 National Club Rugby Championship was sponsored by Michelob and took place at Veteran's Memorial Stadium in Long Beach, California on May 10 and 11.[1] The teams featured in the tournament were the champions of the four sub unions of USARFU. The Berkeley Old Blues won the title defeating St. Louis in the final after beating their New York namesakes in the semifinals for the second straight year.[2] The All-Whites of Evansville, Indiana took third place.[3] Whit Everett of Berkeley Old Blues was named MVP.
The 1980 Women's National Rugby Classic took place on May 24–26 in Oakbrook, IL.[4] The team from Florida State won the championship with five victories: FSU 29-3 Beantown, FSU 20-0 Ohio State, FSU 13-0 and 19–6 against Chicago and the 14-0 championship match against Hoyden of Atlanta, GA. En route to the final Hoyden dropped their opener 0-3 against Wisconsin then won two overtime games against Minnesota 8-4 and Wisconsin 4-0. Wisconsin defeated Chicago 6-0 for third place while Ohio State took fifth place with a 3-0 win over Minnesota.[5] Seven members of Florida State were named to the all-tournament team: Renate Brady, Vicki Bowlin, Kathy Flores, Mary Holmes, Candy Orsini, Jamie McAllister, and Karen Hornsby.
The 1980 National Sevens Rugby Tournament was hosted by the Hartford Wanderers and took place on June 14, 1980, at Sterling Field in West Hartford, Connecticut.[8] The twelve team tournament was won by the Virginia Duck Brothers.[9]
Virginia Duck Brother 28-10 Hartford Wanderers(Final)
The Inter Territorial Tournament involved the four regional rugby unions comprising the United States RFU: Pacific Coast RFU, Western RFU, Midwest RFU, and the Eastern Rugby Union. The region teams are formed from selected players from the sub regional rugby unions. Subsequently, the USA Eagles are selected from the four regional teams after the ITT concludes. The 1980 edition was sponsored by Michelob and was played at Oak Brook Polo Field in Oak Brook, Illinois from May 24–26.[10] The Pacific Coast RFU repeated as tournament champions.[11]
Results:
24 May 1980
Pacific Coast
16–6
Midwest
Try: Tim O'Brien Pen: Steve Gray (3) Drop: Ian Gunn
Pen: Dick Cooke (2)
Oakbrook, IL
24 May 1980
Western
13–12
Eastern
Pen: Doug Park
Oakbrook, IL
25 May 1980
Pacific Coast
25–6
Eastern
Try: Mike Fanucchi (2)
Oakbrook, IL
25 May 1980
Midwest
22–6
Western
Drop: Fred Schofield
Pen: Park
Oakbrook, IL
26 May 1980
Western
7–42
Pacific Coast
Try: 1 Pen: 1
Try: Lin Walton Ed Burlingham Deaton Lin Walton Con: Dennis Jablonski 3
^"FSU Women Ruggers Capture National Title". (May 28, 1980). Tallahassee Democrat, p.1B
^Carlson, Kenneth N. (February 1984). "National Championships". Rugby Football Scorebook (1st ed.). Lynwood, WA: Rain Belt Inc. p. 6. ISBN0-938428-04-7.
