​

​SEASON – Fall 1974 (2-4)

ON THE PITCH – Earl Everett told his mates on the sideline that he was feeling angry in a “B” match against the Polynesians.  He then proceeded to attack one of the biggest Tongans on the field.  The player decked Earl, laughed, and ran off in pursuit of the ball. 


OFF THE PITCH – Gary Henoch told the Utes “Ya gotta want it!” just prior to their first victory over Utah State.

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS – 
*Ernie Sandoval: The “guts” of Utah rugby.  At scrum half; Ernie was known for his                                                                       composure under pressure.  Willing to play anywhere he was                                            
                             needed, Ernesto retired as the team’s leading career point scorer.
*Nick Viselli: A hard runner at center or wing, Nick still holds the team record for 
the fastest time from Salt Lake to Albuquerque.

SCHEDULE –
W         7-0   Provo
L         6-32   B.Y.U. 
L         8-14   Polynesians
L         0-19   B.Y.U. 
W 14-0      Utah State
L 0-16     Utah State
          35-81

ADDITIONAL DATA – President: Jim Mackin
      Coach: Jim Mackin, Pat Quigley
      Scoring Leaders: Steve Gabbert (8)


*     *     *

SEASON – Spring 1975 (1-12)

ON THE PITCH – After being held scoreless in their first six matches of the season, the Utes’ first points came as a result of a penalty try against Okanagen, British Columbia. Keith Haines bit Steve Gabbert’s finger in Utah’s lone victory over Provo.

OFF THE PITCH – Barry Andrews became the club’s first legitimate coach.  Barry had compiled a 20-1 record while coaching rugby at Dale College in South Africa and was never quite sure what game the Utes were playing.  He did enjoy the social gatherings however, even though he failed in his attempt to become a Cardinal.   John Nicolaisen’s addition to the club also brought a wealth of new songs: “The Ball of Inverness,” “Life Presents a Dismal Picture,” “Dinah,” and “The Good Ship Venus” were a few of the new offerings.  There were two tremendous parties in the spring of 1975.  The first was at The Brewery in Ogden where Big Barb led an elephant walk.  The second was in Caldwell, Idaho, with the Snake River Rugby Club.  Jim Mackin won the “soup ladle head bopping contest,” and later was carried off into the wilderness when he fell asleep in the back of a pickup truck.  Pete Osmer’s girlfriend, Nicki, performed a complete Zulu Warrior and Jeff Wyatt issued the immortal words, “Don’t Patronize Me!”


NOTABLE NEWCOMERS –
*John Nicolaisen: John’s sprit and organization were primarily responsible for turning                                                     the Utah R.F.C. into a competitive rugby side.  The “songmaster” was also     
      famous for his “tumultuous uproars.”     
*Dennis Sullivan: The caustic Sullivan was also a good fullback.  In his first match with
                              Utah, Dennis connected on a drop goal.  Several of his teammates                                                                          
       looked at him dumfounded and asked if such a kick was allowed.
*Jeff Wyatt: Jeff was a power runner who, unfortunately, played in an year when 
         passing was minimal.
*Steve Hoffman: “Bubba,” was 6’4″ and over 300 lbs.  Rucks quickly broke up when 
                             Steve was heard approaching.                               
*Tom Hannum: A fast and consistent wing with a head for the game.
*Dave Hudson
*Mark Durfy

SCHEDULE –
L       0-11   B.Y.U.
L       0-  4   Park City
L       0-19   Santa Ana
L       0-13   St. Mary’s
L       0-28   U.C. Santa Barbara
L       0-  3   Long Beach State
L       6-12   Okanagen
W      7-  4   Provo
L       4-22   Salt Lake Polynesians
L       9-22   B.Y.U.
L     16-29   Utah State
L       0-32   Snake River
L       0-20   Park City
       42-219

ADDITIONAL DATA – Coach: Barry Andrews
      Scoring Leaders: No Record.

​SEASON – Fall 1975 (1-4)

ON THE PITCH – Bill Weber’s try defeated Park City on a snow covered field.  The Muckers had hot spiced wine on the sidelines. 

OFF THE PITCH – The Utah R.F.C. had their first groupies, better known as rugger huggers.   

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS –
* Arnold Hansen: A native New Zealander and fine back.
* Hardin Davis: Hardin traveled to Provo to watch the B.Y.U. match and found himself  
                           playing wing when the club was short on players.                       
SCHEDULE –
L           6-12   Utah State
L           0-28   Snake River
L           0-28   B.Y.U.
W         4-  0   Park City
L           8-16   Provo
           18-84

ADDITIONAL DATA – President: Dave Hudson
      Coach: Jim Mackin
      Scoring Leaders: Four Players (4)

*     *     *
SEASON – Spring 1976 (5-11)

ON THE PITCH – The Ute ruggers ran their Santa Barbara losing streak to fourteen matches over three years, discounting a forfeit win over Pamona.  A 10-3 victory over Nevada-Las Vegas in the Utah State Ruggerfest gave Utah its first win over an out of state opponent.

OFF THE PITCH – Utah traveled to Santa Barbara with only 16 players and lost four of those individuals in their match with Riverside.  

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS – 
* Wally Breinholt: Utah’s first long range penalty kicker, Wally played fullback.
* Mitch Dickson: This Texan was one of the fastest backs ever to wear the red and                             
      white candy striped jersey.



SCHEDULE –
L      0-20   Provo
W       F   Pamona
L      0-19   Contra Costa
L      0-12   Long Beach State
L      0-40   Riverside
L      4-24   U.C. Irvine
L      6-42   B.Y.U.
W   24-19          Highland
W      F Western Washington State
L       4-28   Beehive Rugby Union Rep Side
W    10- 3      U.N.L.V.
L       6-20         Dead Goat
W      8- 6          Utah State
L     13- 9   Dead Goat
L       4- 6          Highland
L       3-38   Park City
       82-296

ADDITIONAL DATA – Coach Carl Owens
      Scoring Leaders: Wally Breinholt (26)

​SEASON – Fall 1976 (3-4-1)

ON THE PITCH – The Utes gained their first victory over a B.Y.U. fifteen, although it was the Cougars’ “B” team.

OFF THE PITCH – Several players jumped to rival clubs.

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS – 
*Scott Becker

SCHEDULE – 
No Record of the first 7 matches
L 12-25   B.Y.U.

ADDITIONAL DATA – President: Vern Johnson
      Coach: John Pauai
      Scoring Leaders: No Record

*     *     *

SEASON – Spring 1977 (6-10)

ON THE PITCH – After 16 consecutive losses at Santa Barbara, the Utes broke into the victory column.  Utah found itself down 4-7 to the Ruggers Inn R.F.C. (described by The Loose Ruck as “a bunch of ex-footballers, cavemen and prison guards”), with three minutes to play.  The Utes battled back however, and won 8-7 when a Ruggers’ Inn kick for touch went awry and Pat Quigley caught the ball at his opponents’ 15 meter line and ran it into the end zone for the winning try.  Following the team’s 4-0 win over Long Beach, Steve Gabbert (on the sidelines with another broken nose), greeted the team with bottles of champagne.  The club’s first Most Valuable Player Award, decided by the vote of his peers, went to Ernie Sandoval.

OFF THE PITCH – Hugh Brown and Pat Quigley came up with the novel idea of having set plays for the backs and forwards.  They were visibly upset when they later learned that all the other rugby clubs already had set plays.  John Nicolaisen returned from Italy to begin a Utah R.F.C. revival.  Focusing on team unity, John created The Loose Ruck newsletter to chronicle the exploits of the rugby club both on and off the pitch.  He also pushed the concept of the party and, with Hugh, developed the Utah Rugby Songbook. The tradition of Friday night stadium singing was begun in Santa Barbara.  Scott Becker won the first Gumbie Award at U.C.S.B.  The Utes were awarded a two foot high Olympia beer bottle as the social champions of the Utah State Ruggerfest, aided by Hugh’s rooftop rendition of “Helen” supported by John, Archie Clark, and Betsy Morse.   

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS –
* Jim Beck: Beckster added an explosive element to the Utah backfield.
* Chris Castillo: Great wheels and Rudloph Valentino looks.

SCHEDULE –
L       8-16   Dead Goat
W       F   Salt Lake
L       4-16   Provo
L       0-25   Old Bolts
L       6- 6   U.C. Irvine
W      8- 7   Raiders Inn
L       0- 6   Stanislaus
W      4- 0   Long Beach State
L       6-33   B.Y.U.
W       F   U.N.L.V.
L       0-20   Utah State
L       3-12   Salt Lake 
W      3- 0   Pocatello
L       0-26   Rocky Mountain
W       F   Highland
L     12-34   Park City
       49-201


ADDITIONAL DATA – Coach: Greg Minkley
      M.V.P.: Ernie Sandoval
      Scoring Leaders:  Dennis Sullivan (16), Jim Beck (12)
      Ernie Sandoval (11)

*      *     *

SUMMER MATCHES – 1977 (2-3)

ON THE PITCH – The Utes thumped Idaho Falls, but lost Jim Beck when he broke his leg.

OFF THE PITCH – Utah and Idaho Falls treated that town to song long into the night. The Loose Ruck reported on the adventures of Tad Mancini and Jamie Stephens in Pocatello.   Regarding Jamie: “No one knows how Stephens hit his chin, nose, and split open his forehead diving into a swimming pool.”

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS – 
*Tony Crandall: Tony personified the spirit of Utah rugby with his play both on and off                                
     the pitch. When he retired, Tony had scored over 40 trys, the most in
     the club’s history.
*Jamie Stephens: A tough prop and intense competitor.  
*Tad Mancini: An excellent jumper and strong second row.
*Bob Cady: An able prop.  
*Greg Erickson: “Fosters” was from Australia and had a dislike for clothes.
*Jeff and Kevin McKenna

SCHEDULE –
W    22-10   Idaho Falls
L       3-10   Park City
W    23-12   Idaho Falls
L       4-10   Pocatello
L       4-14   Boise
       56-56

ADDITIONAL DATA – Scoring Leaders: Chris Castillo (12), Ernie Sandoval (8)

​SEASON – Fall 1977 (4-3)

ON THE PITCH – The Utes set a new team scoring record when they drubbed Moroni’s Marauders 32-12 in Provo.  Utah led 32-0 at the half. 


OFF THE PITCH – The Utah R.F.C. began to actively recruit new members. 

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS – 
*Bob Skinner: Bob would play for anyone at anytime.  His play at prop greatly
                        strengthened the forward pack.                                
*Supi M’lai: Appearing older than his years, Supi still had some of the moves, and 
                     the power, that had contributed to his starting on the Tongan National                          
         Team.
*Karl Badger: Looking like Ted Kluszewski with the sleeves cut off of his jersey, Karl
was a bruiser who made all the practices and missed a lot of the games. 

SCHEDULE –
L       0-10   Pocatello
W    19-10   Utah State
L        4-25   All Blacks
W     16- 9   Utah State
L      14-42   B.Y.U.
W     20-  6   Salt Lake
W     32-12   Moroni’s Marauders
      105-114

ADDITIONAL DATA – President: John Nicolaisen
      Coach: John Nicolaisen
      Scoring Leaders: Ernie Sandoval (27), Three players with (12)

*     *     *
SEASON – Spring 1978  (7-5-1)

ON THE PITCH – The Utes celebrated their first winning spring season and their first year with a winning record.  Members of the club traveled to Idaho Falls in April to participate in a Seven-a-Side Tournament.  The team of Jim Beck, Tony Crandall, Chris Profenius, John Nicolaisen, Bob Cady and Steve Gabbert outscored their opponents 80-8 in winning the championship.  In their 18-6 loss to Hastings, played in the Santa Barbara stadium, Pat Quigley tackled a monstrous back, then jumped up and yelled, “It will take someone bigger than you to run over me!”.  Eight different players scored trys, and Ernie Sandoval connected on seven of ten conversions, in Utah’s record setting 54-0 victory over Idaho Falls.  Tony Crandall scored seven tries during the spring season, a record that held until 1985.


OFF THE PITCH – The Utes began their season with festivities at the Paris Restaurant in Idaho Falls.  That trip was highlighted by Chris Profenius’ disjointed conversation with Hugh Brown and Archie Clark on the trip to Idaho Falls, and then his miraculously appearance at a isolated farm house miles from town after being left at the Paris.  John Davisk, a visiting professor from Wales, served as the team’s coach.  New Mexico came into town and following a party at Tony Crandall’s, members of the two teams traveled to Judd’s Frontier Bar where the Lobos introduced the Utes to “chair dancing,” and “the worm”.  A Utah/Idaho Falls contingent returned to Judd’s several weeks later, then proceeded to visit a bikers’ bar and an American Legion Hall (“This can be your clubhouse!”) on their way to breakfast.  The annual trip to California included a stop at Foxes’ in Santa Monica (Where do you put your feet, Mark?).  Rain and mud were the story at Santa Barbara where Pat Quigley’s Winnebago became the social center.  Utah left the party after the Utah State Ruggerfest to set up their own campsite where “Swamp rowdies” and Bob Cady’s jokes were in great abundance.  Following the Park City match, the Utes joined Bill Hart, Don Sturgis, et al, in Potato John’s, where the two clubs were treated to a video tape replay of their 10-10 tie.

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS –
*Fred Boutwell: A master in the lineout (before lifting was allowed), Fred played a                                                                                                         mean game of rugby even when his thumbs were broken.  His cry of        
                          of “Run Fast! Jump High!” would proceed most matches. 
*Tracy Prows: Tracy developed his breakaway skills in New Zealand.  He could usually   
  be found on the pitch, laughing and imploring his fellow players to set a                                                                                                                                                          
platform while his mates stood about calling for the ball.
*Mark Barton: Mark was a feisty player both at break and 8th man.
*Roger Harrison: New Zealand born and bred, Roger was the club’s first real standoff.  
*Chris Profenius: A great athlete, Chris was last seen standing by his bags in the rain at                           
      Santa Barbara.
*Mike Wilkinson: Mike played football at Stanford and was a talented athlete. 

SCHEDULE –
W 21-  8   New Mexico
L 10-14   Northern Colorado
W 54-  0   Idaho Falls
W 16-  0   U.C. Santa Barbara
L   6-18   Hastings
L   8-10   Occidental
L   8-23   Dead Goat
W   8-  0   Salt Lake
W     F      East-West
L   4-  7   College of Idaho
W 22-  3   Highland
W 12-  8   Pocatello
T 10-10   Park City
          179-101

ADDITIONAL DATA – Coach: John Davis
      M.V.P. – Forwards: Tracy Prows, Backs: Supi M’lai
      Scoring Leaders: Ernie Sandoval (47), Tony Crandall (28)
          Supi M’lai (24)

*     *     *

SUMMER MATCHES – 1978 (1-0)

ON THE PITCH – Betsy Morse provided the Ute ruggers with cold beverages while they played the Motherlode in the stifling summer heat.

OFF THE PITCH – Pat Quigley performed “Dangerous Dan McGrew,” at the Tap-a-Keg in Boise after losing his first chugging contest to a guy who actually chugged.

SCHEDULE –
W 12-  0    Boise

SEASON – Fall 1978 (4-2)

ON THE PITCH – The Utes posted their first victory over the Dead Goat Touring Side prompting John Nicolaisen to proclaim, “We have arrived!”  Nick Viselli’s score put Utah out in front 10-7 and Jim Habertro’s try, following a grub kick by Jim Beck, put the icing on the cake.  Utah’s ruggers made it to the semi-finals of the Boise Tournament where they lost to the Blue Mountain and “Big John.”

OFF THE PITCH – Joe Lambert introduced the bison helmet and his versions of “Alouette” and “Singing in the Rain”.  The Loose Ruck reported the Utes and Missoula squared off for the social championship at the Boise Ruggerfest.  The Maggots won it when they “presented a sacrificial male to the strange lady who was hanging out by the band”.  Ernie Sandoval won the Gumbie Award in Boise when he ate chili and spaghetti  at 1:00 a.m. while sound asleep.  He then lost it all in the parking lot, “blowing three bucks and his lunch at the same time.”

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS – 
*Brian Corner: A solidly built, intelligent player, Brian played wherever he was needed in                              
  the backfield.
*Joe Lambert: “Uncle Joe” became a mainstay both on the pitch and at the parties.  As               the years went by, Joe grew into a massive breakaway, but he never lost   
his quickness or his desire to play.
*Jim Habertro: A mainstay for the Dead Goat/Haggis after a brief stint with Utah. 

SCHEDULE –
W      16-  0   Boise
W      16-  7   Dead Goat
W      10-  0   Gonzaga
W      11-  0   College of Idaho
L          0-18   Blue Mountain
L        14-20   B.Y.U.
          71-45

ADDITIONAL DATA – President: John Nicolaisen
                  Coach: Hugh Brown
      Scoring Leaders: Ernie Sandoval (23), Tony Crandall (16)

*     *     *

SEASON – Spring 1979 (4-7)

ON THE PITCH – Brian Corner represented Utah on the Great Basin Select Side which defeated the Tri-County Rep Side from California 20-6 in Las Vegas.

OFF THE PITCH – Thumper, Bizz Buzz, Whales Tales, and Zoom-Schwartz-Profigliano became mainstays of the Utah rugby club.  Hugh Brown and John Nicolaisen hitchhiked from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.  They were picked up by a van full of ruggers from Loyola Marymount and were poured out on the field several hours later.  George Sable played thumper at U.C.S.B. (“Name a color” . . . thump, thump . . .”blue” . . . thump, thump . . . “red”, thump, thump . . . “Gepettos”) and Joe Lambert led a 3:00 a.m. expedition to a women’s rugby camp to “seek out and explore new life forms”.  Louie introduced the Utes to the Stork Club in Provo following the B.Y.U. match. 

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS – 
*Bill Foss: A gutsy little hooker and native of Chicago.

SCHEDULE –
L   0-16   Dead Goat
L   4-26   B.Y.U.
L   3-  6   Mission R.F.C.
L   0-14   Ruggers Inn
W 20-  4   Redlands
W            F U.C. Urvine
L   0-  8   Anchorage
W 34-  4   Salt Lake
L   0-  9   Liberty XV
L   6-16   Utah State
W 32-  9   Provo
L 10-12   Park City
          109-124


ADDITIONAL DATA – Coach: Hugh Brown, John Nicolaisen
      M.V.P. – Forwards: Joe Lambert, Backs: Brian Corner
      Scoring Leaders: Brian Corner (20),  Ernie Sandoval (15),                                                              Joe Lambert (12)

*     *     *

SUMMER MATCHES – 1979 (3-2)

ON THE PITCH – Thirteen Utes traveled to the Cheyenne Ruggerfest where, despite playing Hugh Brown at standoff, Utah took second place, losing to tournament champion Queen City 7-4.  The Ute ruggers, led by a fired up Tony Crandall following an early morning phone call from Jerry Sarafoleon, demolished the Griffins 38-0.

OFF THE PITCH – Following their match, the Motherlode Ruggers treated the Utes to a tube float down the Boise River.  Small islands became sites for scrums and Fred Boutwell was hung out to dry by Ron Lemon and Chris Gutierrez.  That night, Jim Beck and Steve Gabbert decided to borrow a tractor and go for a ride.  

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS – 
*Tiger Ellefsen: A devastating defensive player, Tiger started at hooker, moved to   break and inside center, then developed into an outstanding standoff.                 
   His enthusiasm for the game was contagious.  
*Brian Bailey: A solid back.

SCHEDULE –
L   4-10   Boise
W   7-  6   Wyoming
L   4-  7   Queen City
W 14-  0   Mile High
W 38-  0   Salt Lake
     Combined      67-23

​SEASON – Fall 1979 (5-4-1)

ON THE PITCH – The Dead Goat brought a 21-4 record for their 1979 season into their match with Utah, but could only come away with a 13-13 tie.  

OFF THE PITCH – Utah captured the Gentlemanship Trophy at the Boise Ruggerfest.  The party saw Tad Mancini surrender to an involuntary striptease at the hands of the Dusty Lentils, a women’s rugby club from Moscow, Idaho.


NOTABLE NEWCOMERS – 
*Gary Fish: Fish was a good runner and avid socializer.

SCHEDULE –
W     F   Boise
T 13-13   Dead Goat
L   3-14   B.Y.U.
W            F   Salt Lake
W   9-  6   Missoula
L   0-34   Snake River
W 10-  4   Whitman College
L   0-  4    Indian Creek
W        32-  6   Utah State
L    7-15   B.Y.U.
 74-97

ADDITIONAL DATA – President: Tony Crandall
      Coach: John Nicolaisen, Brian Corner
      Scoring Leaders: Ernie Sandoval (29), Tony Crandall (12)

*     *     *

SEASON – Spring 1980 (5-7-1)

ON THE PITCH – Down 0-8 to Santa Cruz with five minutes to play, the Utes staged a ferocious rally and won 12-8 as Brian Bailey scored a try in the last minute of play. Utah defeated Claremont 7-4 when Hugh Brown connected on the only successful drop goal in a kick off.  Fred Boutwell turned to a Claremount player and said, “Now we’ll never hear the end of that.”  The Dead Goat contest was blown up as a “no side” when the contest got out of hand and Ernie Sandoval took a swinging leap at Wolfie. 

OFF THE PITCH – The spring began with a 7’s tournament at B.Y.U.  Tony Crandall arrived, bleary-eyed, and spent five minutes trying to figure out how to get in an open gate.  The Stork Club produced Norma.  “Trouting” was introduced.  Brian Corner delivered his famous “Get to bed early Friday night” speech just prior to the trip to Santa Barbara.  He then missed the first match Saturday.  Santa Barbara saw Frenchman Francois DuPuis trying to convince a woman that he was an Irishman from Texas.  Jamie Stephens returned to the campfire at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday morning and organized a revival party and songfest with the Ruggers Inn Rugby Club.  Tony Crandall was knocked unconscious in the Boise match.  He awoke with his head in the lap of his girlfriend and asked her, “How well do I know you?”.   The spring of 1980 featured “The Trip” to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  “The Trip” included Tony Crandall talking his way out of a ticket near Moab, partying at the Dukes’ stadium, Ernie Sandoval’s dancing into the singer’s mike in a sleazy dance bar, John Nicolaisen receiving the trout (it was right next to his missing distributor cap), Harvey, Larry Gluth’s adventures with the Tentacle Lady, and Fred Boutwell’s bottle suction marks on his chest.


NOTABLE NEWCOMERS – 
* Francois DuPuis: A graduate student from France, Francois played scrum half.
*Tony Funua: A big strong back with a good foot, Tony’s muscle made up for his lack                             
  of fitness.  
* Larry Gluth: Larry played wherever he was needed in the scrum.  

SCHEDULE –
L   0-22   B.Y.U.
L   3-19   Long Beach State
W 12-  8   Santa Cruz
L   0-20   Cal Poly
W   7-  4   Claremont
T   6-  6   Northridge
L   8-15   Boise
W 23-  0   Pocatello
L 10-14   New Mexico
W 14-12   Los Brujos
L   6-10   Utah State
W 10-  6   Griffins
L   6-12   Park City
         105-148

ADDITIONAL DATA – Coach: John Nicolaisen, Brian Corner
      M.V.P. – Forwards: Joe Lambert, Backs: Brian Bailey
      Scoring Leaders:  Ernie Sandoval (25), Joe Lambert (16)

*     *     *


SUMMER MATCHES – 1980 (2-2)

ON THE PITCH – After listening to Mile High’s British standoff boast about his team’s outstanding passing and wing movement, the Utes’ back-line of Brian Bailey, Brian Corner, Tony Crandall and Pat Robinson made some big hits to shut down and totally intimidated their counterparts.  

OFF THE PITCH – Two carloads of ruggers journeyed to the Cheyenne Ruggerfest: The Toyota Landcruiser contingent was led by Jeff Arnold while the second group, in Nick Viselli’s truck, featured a poker party.  Nick Viselli met his future wife, Joy, at the Ruggerfest and Tony Crandall set an unofficial record for tacos consumed.  

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS – 
*Jeff Arnold: The original party animal, Jeff also played a good game at breakaway.
*Pat Robinson: An unerring tackler, Pat was the only player who Mike Wilkinson would 
                         avoid in scrimmages.  


SCHEDULE –
L 12-26   Sun Valley
L   3-  9   Colorado Mines
W 19-  4   Fort Collins
W   9-  0   Mile High
            43-39

ADDITIONAL DATA – Scoring Leaders: Ernie Sandoval (24)