1987 National Rugby Championships

The 1987 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, high school, Military, Sevens, and Interterritorial.

1987 National Rugby Championships
Tournament details
Tournament format(s)Various
Date1987
Tournament statistics
Final
← 1986 (Previous)
(Next) 1988 →

Men's Club

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The 1987 National Club Rugby Championship was sponsored by Michelob and took place at Pepin Rood Stadium of Tampa University in Florida from May 8–9.[1] The teams featured in the tournament were the champions of the four sub unions of USARFU. The Old Blues rugby club of Berkeley, CA won the title for the seventh time.[2][3][4] Gary Townsend of Old Blues was MVP.

 
Regional SemifinalRegional FinalNational SemifinalNational Final
 
              
 
April 25 - Vancouver, WA
 
 
Old Blues25
 
April 26 - Vancouver, WA
 
Old Puget Sound Beach3
 
Old Blues20
 
April 25 - Vancouver, WA
 
Los Angeles10
 
Los Angeles25
 
May 8 - Tampa, FL
 
BATS3
 
Old Blues21
 
April 25 - Conshohocken, PA
 
Life Chiropractic9
 
Life Chiropractic22
 
April 26 - Conshohocken, PA
 
Beacon Hill6
 
Life Chiropractic13
 
April 25 - Conshohocken, PA
 
Washington6
 
Washington22
 
May 9 - Tampa, FL
 
Norfolk Blues18
 
Old Blues28
 
April 25 - Pittsburgh, PA
 
Pittsburgh10
 
Pittsburgh10
 
April 26 - Pittsburgh, PA
 
Louisville9
 
Pittsburgh16
 
April 25 - Pittsburgh, PA
 
Milwaukee14
 
Milwaukee32
 
May 8 - Tampa, FL
 
Chicago Lions16
 
Pittsburgh22
 
April 25 - Dallas, TX
 
Denver Barbarians21 Third place
 
Denver Barbarians28
 
April 26 - Dallas, TXMay 9 - Tampa, FL
 
Kansas University7
 
Denver Barbarians12Life Chiropractic15
 
April 25 - Dallas, TX
 
Dallas Harlequins10 Denver Barbarians6
 
Dallas Harlequins23
 
 
Albuquerque Aardvarks6
 

Semifinals

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8 May 1987
6:30PM
Pittsburgh22–21Denver Barbarians
Try: Lee Goodman 10' c
Mark Carrozza 44'
Con: Jack McGannon (1/2)
Pen: Tom Croskey 56', 77', 80'
Drop: Joe Klimowicz 29'
Try: Steve LaPorta 49' c
Con: Mike DeJong (1/1)
Pen: Mike DeJong (5)
Pepin Rood Stadium, Tampa, FL
Referee: Don Reardon (USARFU)
8 May 1987
Old Blues21–9Life College
Try: Matt Taylor 26' c
Moses Smiliai c
Con: Gary Townsend (2/2)
Pen: Gary Townsend (3)
[5]Pen: Colin Moore 12', ?', 34'
Pepin Rood Stadium, Tampa, FL
Referee: Ian Nixon (USA)

Third place

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9 May 1987
Life College15–6Denver Barbarians
Try: Jim Louro
Tony Poole
Tony Poole
Drop: Mark Daniel 60'
Pen: Mike DeJong (2)
Pepin Rood Stadium, Tampa, FL
Referee: Don Reardon (USARFU)

Final

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9 May 1987
Berkeley Old Blues28–10Pittsburgh
Try: Tim O'Brien c
Stanley Lolohea c
Mark Bass
Con: Gary Townsend (2/3)
Pen: Gary Townsend (4)
[6]Try: Jack McGammon
Pen: Tom Croskey (2)
Pepin Rood Stadium, Tampa, FL
Referee: Ian Nixon (USARFU)

Champions: Old Blues
Staff: Whit Everett (Coach), Dave Bateman (Coach), Mr. Goldenburg (President)
Captain: John Everett
Roster: Mark Bass (Flanker), John Blackburn (Flanker), Mark Carlson (#8), Steve Ellis (Center), John Everett (Hooker), Sam Havili (Lock), Brian Hillesland (Lock), Greg Hulbert (Lock), Don James (Prop), Stanley Lolahea (Flanker), Rob Mascheroni (Wing), Mike McClintock (Hooker), Bo Meyersieck (Flyhalf), Ken Meyersieck (Scrumhalf), Dave Mogni (Center), Dave Morze (Lock), Tim O'Brien (Center), Ramon Samaniego (Scrumhalf), Moses Similai (Center), Todd Stone (Wing), Matt Taylor (Wing), Gary Townsend (Fullback), Brian Walgenbach (Prop), Art Ward (#8), Blane Warhurst (Flanker), Giles Wilson (Prop).

Women's Club

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The 1987 Women's National Rugby Championship was a tournament that took place at Robb Field on May 23–24 in San Diego, CA.[7] Beantown won the title by defeating Florida State 6–4.[8][9] The University of Minnesota took third place with a 34–0 win over Belmont Shore Land Sharks.

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
May 23 – San Diego, CA
 
 
Beantown28
 
May 23 – San Diego, CA
 
Colorado Old Girls0
 
Beantown12
 
May 23 – San Diego, CA
 
Belmont Shore4
 
Belmont Shore8
 
May 24 – San Diego, CA
 
Chicago7
 
Beantown6
 
May 23 – San Diego, CA
 
Florida State4
 
Florida State18
 
May 23 – San Diego, CA
 
New Orleans Half Moons0
 
Florida State24
 
May 23 – San Diego, CA
 
Minnesota0 Third place
 
U. of Minnesota8
 
May 24 – San Diego, CA
 
Eugene Housewives0
 
Minnesota9
 
 
Belmont Shore6
 

Final

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24 May 1987
2:00PM
Beantown6–4Florida State
Try: Carmen Morrison 40' c
Con: Margie McClure
[10]Try: Karen Davis 38'
San Diego, CA
Attendance: 600
Referee: Ed Todd (NCRFU)

Champions: Beantown of Boston, MA
Roster: Flavin, Connors, Kimball, Kane, Thorley, Heffernan, Bridi, Rutkowski, Margie McClure, Mary Ellen Martin-Madden, Karen Keith, Onufry, Morrissey, Carmen Morrison, Keefe.

College

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The 1987 College championship was won by San Diego State. Air Force was runner-up.

Military

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The 1987 National Military Rugby Championship was a twenty team tournament that took place at Wright Patterson Air Force base in Dayton, OH from May 2–3[11] and was won by Pensacola Naval Air Station with a 40–0 win over the Davis Monthan Mandrills in the Club Division[12] while The Mike Stephenson President's Fifteen won the Open Division defeating US Coast Guard Select 22–14 in the final.[13] In the Chairman's Cup competition for kickers John Byzewski of Mike Stephensons won the drop kicking contest, and Mike Croy of Scott Air Force Base was the best place kicker.[14]

Club Division

Standings
Rank Group A Pld W L T F A WPI FTB FTC CLA
1. Wright-Patterson Jets 3 3 0 0 64 4 X 17:4 16:0 31:0
2. Fort Benning 3 2 1 0 59 25 4:17 X 9:8 46:0
3. Fort Carson 3 0 2 0 8 25 0:16 8:9 X ?
4. Clark 3 0 2 0 0 77 0:31 0:46 ? X
Standings
Rank B+C Pld W L PEN D-M WP2 SCO SEY PAN
1. Pensacola 3 3 0 X X 40:0 46:0 X 38:0
2. Davis Monthan Mandrills 3 3 0 X X 29:0 21:0 40:0 X
3. Wright Pat II 3 1 2 0:40 0:29 X X 24-4 X
4. Scott 3 0 2 0:46 0:21 X X X X
5. Seymore Johnson 3 0 2 X 0:40 4:24 X X X
6. Panama Southcom 3 0 1 0:38 X X X X X
Standings
Rank Group D Pld W L CAM FTL HAW FTH
1. Camp Lejeune Misfits 3 3 0 X 7:0 20:10 41:0
2. Fort Leavenworth 3 0 1 0:7 X ? ?
3. Hawaii Marines 3 0 1 10:20 ? X ?
4. Fort Hood 3 0 1 0:41 ? ? X
Standings
Rank Group E Pld W L T F A FTC CHE CAM TIN
1. Fort Campbell 3 2 0 1 53 12 X 12:12 25:0 16:0
2. Cherry Point 3 2 0 1 46 18 12:12 X 9:0 25:6
3. Camp Pendleton 3 0 2 0 0 34 0:25 0:9 X ?
4. Tinker 3 0 2 0 6 41 0:16 6:25 ? X
Standings
Rank Group F Pld W L F A HAW FTS USU FTK
1. Hawaii ORCHAS 3 2 1 28 20 X 10:16 12:0 6:4
2. Fort Sill 3 2 1 24 32 16:10 X 0:22 8:0
3. USUHS 3 1 1 22 12 0:12 22:0 X ?
4. Fort Knox 3 0 2 4 14 4:6 0:8 ? X
 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
May 3 – Dayton, OH
 
 
Pensacola27
 
May 3 – Dayton, OH
 
Fort Benning0
 
Pensacola10
 
May 3 – Dayton, OH
 
Camp Lejeune6
 
Camp Lejeune21
 
May 3 – Dayton, OH
 
Fort Campbell0
 
Pensacola40
 
May 3 – Dayton, OH
 
Davis Monthan0
 
Davis Monthan24
 
May 3 – Dayton, OH
 
Cherry Point8
 
Davis Monthan19
 
May 3 – Dayton, OH
 
ORCHAS9
 
ORCHAS 9
 
 
Wright Patterson3
 

Open Division
The Mike Stephenson's President's Fifteen advanced to the championship match with wins of 36–4 against the combined team of Yuma/29 Palms and 40–0 against the Subic Bay Marines. The Coast Guard also made it to the final from its group with wins of 60–0 over Black Sheep and 44–0 over the combined team of Ellsworth/Lackland AFB.

Third place
Subic Bay Marines 18-4 Black Sheep

Championship
Mike Stephenson's President's Fifteen 22-14 Coast Guard

Sevens

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Club
The 1987 National Club Seven–a–side championship, was played at Lincoln Park at the Milwaukee Polo Grounds in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 6 September as part of the 14th annual Labor Day tournament.[15] There were eight teams featured which included two representatives from each of the four territorial unions. Akron and QC Irish qualified from the Midwest.[16] Bethlehem and Duck Brothers qualified from the Eastern regional.[17] Los Angeles and Old Puget Sound represented the Pacific Coast. Denver Barbarians and Oklahoma University represented the West. The Duck Brothers defeated the Denver Barbarians to win the championship. Old Puget Sound finished third.[18]

First round:

  • Old Puget Sound Beach 14–4 Bethlehem
  • Denver Barbarians 26–6 Akron
  • Los Angeles 24–10 Quad City Irish
  • Duck Brothers 24–0 Oklahoma

Second round:

  • Bethlehem 16–6 Akron
  • Quad City Irish 16–6 Oklahoma
  • Denver Barbarians 18–10 Old Puget Sound Beach
  • Duck Brothers 24–6 Los Angeles

Third round:

  • Oklahoma 14–6 Akron (Seventh place)
  • Bethlehem 10–4 Quad City Irish (Fifth place)
  • Old Puget Sound Beach 10–0 Los Angeles (Third place)

Final

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6 September 1987
Duck Brothers18–10Denver Barbarians
Try: Will Brewington
Will Brewington
Chris Doherty
Will Brewington 42'
Con: Mark Gaetjen (1)
[19]Try: John Scott
Mike DeJong c
Con: Mike DeJong
Milwaukee, WI
Referee: Don Reordan

Champions: Duck Brothers
Coach: Tony Brown
Roster: Chris Albrittain (Prop), Will Brewington (Hooker), Chris Doherty (Center), Jeff Gaetjen (Hooker), Mark Gaetjen (Wing), Danny Parris (Scrumhalf), Charlie Wilkinson (Flyhalf), George Wilkinson (Center), Jimmy Wilkinson (Prop).

All Star
The 1987 National All-Star Sevens Rugby Tournament was an eight team tournament with two representatives from each territory. Similar to the ITTs, the other purpose of the tournament was to select members for the U.S. Eagles Seven–a–side team.[20] The eight teams played two rounds of games and then were paired off in placement matches. This years tournament took place at Hi Corbett Field and Hi Corbett Annex in Tucson, AZ from 30 October to 1 November as part of the 13th Annual Michelob Continental Rugby Classic.[21] The East II team won the final over the East I team. Pacific Coast I came in third.[22]

First round:

  • Midwest I 10–16 East II
  • East I 26–4 Midwest II
  • Pacific I 30–0 West II
  • West I 18–4 Pacific II

Second round:

  • Midwest I 24–6 West II
  • Pacific II 28–0 Midwest II
  • East II 10–4 Pacific I
  • East I 22–12 West I

Third round:

  • West II 18–10 Midwest II (Seventh place)
  • Midwest I 4–0 Pacific II (Fifth place)
  • Pacific I 12–0 West I (Third place)

Final

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31 October 1987
East I10–12East II
Try: Herman Venske c
Terrence Titus
Con: Herman Venske (1/2)
[23]Try: Mike Siano c
Joe Taranto c
Con: Joe McCann (2/2)
Tucson, AZ
Referee: Don Reordan

Champions: East II
Coach: Emil Signes, Tony Brown
Roster: Joe Taranto (Union), Joe McCann (OMEX), Steve Burnham (MOB), Shaun Western (MOB), Rory Lewis (Washington), Jimmy Wilkinson (NOVA), Mike Siano (Philadelphia Whitemarsh), Miller (MOB), Chris Petrakes (MOB).

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 with players selected from the sub regional rugby unions. Subsequently, the USA Eagles are selected from the four regional teams after the ITT concludes. In 1987 the tournament took place at Windhover Park in Schenectady, NY from May 23–25.[24] The Pacific Coast Grizzlies won the tournament for the tenth time. The Pacific Coast RFU also won the Junior Tournament for players under the age of 25.

Results:

23 May 1987
2:00PM
Pacific25–13Western
Try: Dan Morrison c
Sam Vaca c
Dave Surdyka c
Mike Murray
Con: Dan Morrison (3/4)
Pen: Dan Morrison
[25]Try: David Skidmore
Pen: Mike De Jong (3)
Schenectady, NY
Referee: Geohegan
23 May 1987
3:30PM
Eastern23–3Midwest
Try: Mac Miller
Lance Manga
Ken Thring
Steve Siano
Con: Will Finley 2
Drop: Will Finley
[26]Pen: Tom Croskey
Schenectady, NY
24 May 1987
Pacific17–15Eastern
Try: John Mickel 17'
Todd Samet 54' c
Jon Lee 75'
Con: Dan Morrison
Pen: Dan Morrison 62'
[27]Try: J.R. Robbins c
Con: Chris McGrath
Pen: Chris McGrath (2)
Drop: Will Finley
Schenectady, NY
Referee: Leach
24 May 1987
Midwest10–8Western
Try: Dominick Ancona
Pen: Tom Croskey (2)
[28]Try: Chuck McKeon
Doug Straehley
Schenectady, NY
25 May 1987
11:30PM
Pacific Coast13–13Midwest
Try: Bill Leversee
Pen: Dan Morrison (3)
[29]Try: Mark Sawicki 20'
Pen: Jim Aston (2)
Drop: Tom Croskey 34'
Schenectady, NY
Referee: Geohegan
25 May 1987
12:30PM
Western14–0Eastern
Try: Chuck McKeon
Jim Cook
Frank Kennedy
Con: Mike DeJong
[30]
Schenectady, NY

Champions: Pacific Coast Grizzlies
Staff: Mike Pitts (Manager/San Francisco), Bing Dawson (Coach/OMBAC)
Roster: Dave Bateman (Old Puget Sound), Bruce Bevirt (Santa Monica), Mark Carlson (Old Blues), Tom Constantine (Belmont Shore), Peter Deddeh (OMBAC), Jon Knutson (Old Puget Sound), Jon Lee (OMBAC), Bill Leversee (Belmont Shore), Rick Mayfield (Portland Pigs), Joe McGlinchey (Belmont Shore), John Mickel (Los Angeles), Tex Moore (Tucson Magpies), Randy Morris (Belmont Shore), Dan Morrison (San Francisco), Mike Murray (Los Angeles), Dave Ochs (OMBAC), Tim Peterson (San Francisco), Lee Rosen (Los Angeles), Ramon Samaniego (Old Blues), Todd Samet (San Francisco), Gary Stasco (OMBAC), Dave Surdyka (Los Angeles), Sam Vaca (San Francisco), Kurt Weyand (OMBAC), Barry Williams (Los Angeles).

Team W L T
1 Pacific Coast Grizzlies 2 0 1
2 Midwest Thunderbirds 1 1 1
3 Western Mustangs 1 2 0
4 Eastern Colonials 1 2 0

Women's ITT
The first edition of the Women's ITT was played from January 31 to February 1 in Metarie, LA and held in conjunction with the Battle of New Orleans tournament.[31] The Eastern RU won the championship.

Round one:

  • East 16–10 West
  • Midwest 10–3 Pacific Coast

Round two:

  • East 8–3 Pacific Coast
  • West 11–8 Midwest

Round three:

  • East 4–4 Midwest
  • Pacific Coast 19–6 West

Champions: Eastern RU
Coach: Kojm, Arnsdorff
Roster: Alhberg, Auger, Bowlin, Camp, Correira, Crowson, Dixey, Fahey, Flavin, Flores, Gowl, Hanawalt, Heffernan, Holmes, Jervey, Johnson, Maher, McClure, McFarren, Money, Morrison, Morrissey, Onufry, Orsini, Pace, Rutkowski, Sup, J. Watts, M. Watts.

High School

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The 1987 National High School Rugby Championship was an eight team tournament took place 16 May at the Fort Logan complex in Denver, CO.[32] The Burlingame squad from California won the championship by defeating Highland of Salt Lake City in the final.[33] [34] Alamo City took third.[35]

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
May 16 – Denver, CO
 
 
Burlingame28
 
May 16 – Denver, CO
 
Regis0
 
Burlingame28
 
May 16 – Denver, CO
 
Alamo City9
 
Alamo City15
 
May 16 – Denver, CO
 
Doylesville3
 
Burlingame16
 
May 16 – Denver, CO
 
Highland6
 
Highland9
 
May 16 – Denver, CO
 
Arvada West0
 
Highland10
 
May 16 – Denver, CO
 
Langley6 Third place
 
Langley
 
May 16 – Denver, CO
 
 
 
Alamo City9
 
 
Langley6
 

Final

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16 May 1987
Burlingame16–6Highland
Try: Mohu Latu
Eric Tuipulotu
Con: Bachalet
Pen: Bachalet (2)
[36]
Denver, CO

References

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  1. ^ "Rugby Championship Set For Today, Saturday". (May 8, 1987). St. Petersburg Times, p.202 col.2
  2. ^ "In The District". (May 9, 1987). Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, p.14 col.2
  3. ^ "Rugby". (May 9, 1987). Pittsburgh Press, p.C2 col.1
  4. ^ "Tunisia Faces Black Bears; Blues Win". (May 9, 1987). San Francisco Chronicle, p.44 col.1-3
  5. ^ "Rugby". (May 11, 1987). San Francisco Chronicle, p.66 col.4
  6. ^ "Rugby". (May 11, 1987). San Francisco Chronicle, p.66 col.4
  7. ^ "Other Sports". (May 22, 1987). San Diego Union, p.D-6 col.5
  8. ^ "FSU Women's Rugby Team Loses Title To Boston". (May 25, 1987). Tampa Bay Times, p.26 col.1
  9. ^ "FSU Ruggers Lose Title Game". (May 26, 1987). Tallahassee Democrat, p.24 col.1
  10. ^ Rather, Terry (July 1987). "Beantown: Women's Club Champion". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 25.
  11. ^ "Ohio Calendar Of Events For May". (April 25, 1987). Tempo Magazine, p.4 col.2
  12. ^ Carlson, Kenneth N. (February 1984). "National Championships". Rugby Football Scorebook (1st ed.). Lynwood, WA: Rain Belt Inc. p. 6. ISBN 0-938428-04-7.
  13. ^ "Florida Team Captures Armed Forces Rugby Title". (May 12, 1986). San Antonio Light, p.D2 col.2-4
  14. ^ "Rugby MVP". (May 15, 1986). The Morning Call, p.C8 col.2
  15. ^ DeVrieze, Craig (September 4, 1987). "QC Ruggers To Defend U.S. Title". Daily Dispatch And Argus, p.C1 col.3–5
  16. ^ Nold, Bob (September 4, 1987). "Rugby Club Seeking National Title". The Beacon Journal, p.C4 col.2–4
  17. ^ "National Tourney". (September 4, 1987). The Morning Call, p.C8 col.5-6
  18. ^ Signes, Emil (March 1991). "National Club Sevens Championship". Rugby: Sevens Special. Vol. 17, no. 2. p. 31.
  19. ^ Scott, A.W. (October 1987). "Ducks Top Barbos For Michelob 7s Crown". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 7. p. 6.
  20. ^ Bieber, John (October 30, 1987). "Rugby Returns To Hi Corbett This Weekend". Arizona Daily Star, sec.D p.3 col.1-3
  21. ^ "ASU Upsets Air Force At Classic". (October 31, 1987). Arizona Daily Star, sec.F p.5 col.1-2
  22. ^ Signes, Emil (March 1991). "The National All-Star Sevens Championship". Rugby: Sevens Special. Vol. 17, no. 2. p. 32.
  23. ^ Hagerty, Ed (November 1987). "East Sweeps Michelob All Star 7s". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 8. p. 14.
  24. ^ "Windover Park Hosts National Rugby Tourney". (May 23, 1987). Schenectady Gazette, p.21 col.2
  25. ^ Hagerty, Ed (July 1987). "Pacific Coast: 1987 Territorial Champion". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 26.
  26. ^ Hagerty, Ed (July 1987). "East 23, Midwest 3". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 26.
  27. ^ Hagerty, Ed (July 1987). "Pacific 17, East 15". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. pp. 26–27.
  28. ^ Hagerty, Ed (July 1987). "Midwest 1-1 Record". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 27.
  29. ^ Hagerty, Ed (July 1987). "Pacific Coast: 1987 Territorial Champion". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 26.
  30. ^ Hagerty, Ed (July 1987). "West 14, East 0". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 27.
  31. ^ "Specials". (January 31, 1987). Times–Picayune, p.E-7 col.1
  32. ^ Smith, Bob (May 10, 1987). "8 Teams To Play In Rugby Nationals". Denver Post, p.16D col.1
  33. ^ "Prep Notebook". (May 17, 1987). San Francisco Examiner, p.C-2 col.4
  34. ^ Stowe, Robert (July 1987). "Burlingame: National Champions". Rugby. Vol. 13, no. 5. p. 35.
  35. ^ "Rugby Team". (May 17, 1987). Sunday Express-News, p.11-D col.2
  36. ^ "Rugby". (May 17, 1987). San Francisco Examiner, p.C-13 col.5