CULTURE
UCLA Rugby has been a brotherhood since 1934. All players of the past, present and future have a common bond of pride and passion of representing a global icon of academic and athletic excellence. With the four letters of UCLA emblazoned on your chest, you cross the chalk line onto the pitch you know you are backed not only by your fellow brothers but all the brothers throughout the rich history of the program as well.
Representing UCLA is a high honor. In addition to representing our alma mater, several Bruin alumni have represented the United States in international competition as members of the US Eagles National Rugby Team. In fact, UCLA Rugby has deep roots in the United States Rugby Football Union and was part of the very foundation of USA Rugby when it was founded in 1975. Famed UCLA Coach Dennis Storer was tabbed to be the US Eagles first Head Coach in its history. He lead his team into battle against Australia which included legendary Bruin second row warrior Craig Sweeney (US Eagles second Captain). In 2014 the Craig Sweeney Award was created by US Rugby to be annually awarded to a “person who has played for the US Eagles, who is respected by his peers and the rugby community, has made significant contributions back to the game following his playing career, and be a person of exemplary character.” Collectively, UCLA ruggers have earned over 100 caps in matches against the Worlds greatest teams including the New Zealand All Blacks, Australian Wallabies, South African Springboks, British Lions and many, many more.
Our unwritten rules have been passed down from the class to class for the last nine decades. Our culture goes beyond our championship victories on the pitch. It is bigger than our glory of the US Eagles or being selected as a Collegiate All American. UCLA Rugby culture comes from an understanding that there are two types of people in the world; those that play rugby and everyone else. That knowledge fuels the deep respect we have for our rugby brothers, our opponents and the game itself that lasts a lifetime. This mentality also drives one of the deepest elements of our culture which is the unwavering, unbreakable loyalty we have for each other. UCLA Rugby culture is Family.
UCLA Hall of Fame
Gordon Bosserman 1968-71
David Briley 1972-75
Lee Dodson 1959-63 (a)
Dennis Murphy 1968-70
Byron Nelson 1964-66
Sherwood Simpson 1949-51 (a)
Dennis Storer 1966-81, 87-88 (a)
Stephen Auerbach 1970-75
Leon Farley 1956-58
Larry Layne 1971-77 (b)
Ron Nisbet 1968-71
Nelson Rising 1959-63
Ged Gardner 1954-56, 58-64 (b)
Russ Goodman 1969-70
Edward O' Connor 1967-70
Fred Shean 1954-57, 60
Mike Shonstrom 1959-61
Harry Baldwin 1959-63
Wade Killefer 1973-75, 76 (b)
Herb Ludwig 1958-64
David Olsen 1970-72
Doug Purdy 1964-69
David Stephenson 1967-72
Jamie Grant 1971-75
Kenny Gunn 1958-63
Terry Scott 1970-73
David Sugden 1970 (a)
Craig Sweeney 1970-72 (a)
Victor Lepisto 1965-68 (a)
Darren Maloney 87-92 94-97 (b)
Peter Nicklin 1959-65 (a)
Kent Stevens 1968-70
John Gilpin 1966-68
Skip Niebauer 1971-76 (b)
Tommy Smith 1981-86 (b)
John Fowler 1974-81
Mibo Shimoyama 1958-64 (a)
Andrew Warne 1981-85 (b)
Pierce Cooley 2006-10
Steve Gray 1976-78 (b)
Bill McEnteer 1966-68
Lee Carlson 1951-54
Allen Chen 2003-08
Chip Howard 1989-93
Dennis Jablonski 1973-76
Russ Ortiz 1986-88
James Shandorf 2006-10 (a)
(a) Deceased
(b) Player & Coach
Members are in order of induction
National Championships
UCLA Rugby Club has sat atop the Collegiate Rugby World with National championships in 1972 and 1975. The University has also won 16 Southern California Division Championships.
The Bruins have consistently made appearances in National Championship Tournaments in both 15’s and 7‘s the Bruins were Finalists in the Varsity Cup XV’s National Championship and runners-up in the Collegiate Rugby 7‘s Championship as recently as 2017
UCLA Bruin National Championships
1972
1975
United States National Team
UCLA Rugby has been intertwined with the United States Rugby Football Union since its inception in 1975.
Through the years 14 Bruins have been selected to represent our nation as US Eagles. In addition, An unprecedented 4 Bruins have been individually enshrined into the USA Rugby Hall of Fame which is the highest honor in the game.
UCLA Bruin US Eagles
Dennis Storer (USA Rugby Hall of Fame)
Craig Sweeney ‘72 (USA Rugby Hall of Fame)
Steve Gray ‘81 (USA Rugby Hall of Fame)
Tommy Smith ‘86 (USA Rugby Hall of Fame)
Dennis Murphy ‘71
Ron Nisbet ‘71
Dr. Stephen Auerbach ‘72
David Stephenson ‘72
Terry Scott ‘73
Dave Briley ‘74
Jaime Grant ‘75
Skip Niebauer ‘76
Dennis Jablonski ‘76
Rob Duncanson ‘77
Del Chipman ‘80
John Fowler ‘83
Chip Howard
Russ Ortiz ‘88
Ben Broselle ‘21
Lucas LaCamp ‘23
