The 1982 National Rugby Championships were a series of tournaments organized to determine a national champion in several divisions for United States rugby union teams. The divisions included Men's/Women's Club, college, high school, Military, Sevens, and Interterritorial.

Men's Club The 1982 National Club Rugby Championship took place in Palo Alto, California at Stanford University's Harry Maloney Field from May 15–16."Old Blues To Defend Rugby Title". (May 17, 1982). San Francisco Examiner, p.F6 The teams featured in the tournament were the champions of the four sub unions of USARFU. The Berkeley Old Blues won the title defeating Denver Barbarians in the final 36–7."Old Blues Make It Four In A Row". (May 17, 1982). The Berkeley Gazette, p.20 col.2-3 Art Ward of Old Blues was MVP forward and Bill Armstrong of Old Blues was MVP back.

Semifinal

Third place

Final

Champions: Old Blues RFC of Berkeley, CA Coach: Ron Mayes Captain: Whit Everett (Flanker) Roster: Bill Armstrong (Fullback), Rick Bailey (Prop), Mark Bass (Flanker), Dave Bateman (Scrumhalf), Jim Brazil (Prop), Gary Bunce (Wing), Mark Deaton (#8), John Dixon (Fullback), Lee Evans (Center), John Everett (Hooker), Roy Helu (Center), Chuck Hextrum (Lock), Bill Holsapple (Prop), Ken Meyersieck (Scrumhalf), Bo Meyersieck (Flyhalf), Tim O'Brien (Center), Mark Richter (Wing), Bruce Sorenson (Lock), Art Ward (#8), Blane Warhurst (Flanker), Jeff Westcott (Wing), Brad Williams (Lock).

Women's Club The 1982 Women's National Rugby Championship was a tournament that took place on May 29–30 in Oak Brook, Illinois. Beantown of Boston, MA won the championship with a 25–0 win over Chicago."Miscellany: Bonnett Prevails". (May 31, 1982). Boston Globe, p.38 col.1 Beantown advanced to the championship with a 44-0 quarterfinal win over San Jose SheHawks and a 20-4 semifinal triumph against Houston Heathen Hearts."Scoreboard". (May 30, 1982). Boston Sunday Globe, p.37 col.4

All Tournament Team Props– Morgan Whitehead (Chicago), Mary Moynahan (Beantown) Hooker– Missy Bowers (Chicago) Second Rows– Laurell Lockett (Beantown), Marti Ramos (Belmont Shore) #8– Anne Fowler (Beantown) Wing Forwards– Sharon Fields (Houston), Marcia Holtz (Wisconsin) Flyhalf– Polly Foureman (Wisconsin) Scrumhalf– Kathy Flores (Florida State) Inside Center– Molly Perdue (Chicago) Outside Center– Candi Orsini (Florida State) Wings– Laura Agostini (Wisconsin), Vanessa Calabrese (Chicago) Fullback– Sharon Jamison (Florida State)

College

The 1982 College championship was won by University of California at Berkeley. Life Chiropractic was runner-up.

Military The 1982 Military Club Rugby Championship took place in Dayton, Ohio at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base from May 22–23"Plan Rugby Weekend At Wright-Patterson". (May 5, 1982). Daily Gazette, p.8 col. 4-5 and was won by Camp Pendleton with a 12–0 win over Fort Benning.

Championship

Sevens The 1982 National Sevens Rugby Tournament was hosted by the Hartford Wanderers and took place on June 20, 1982, at Sterling Field in West Hartford, Connecticut. The tournament was won by the Bethlehem Hooligans for the first time."Hooligans Win". (June 21, 1982). The Morning Call, p.C6 col.2 On their way to the championship the Hooligans defeated the Hartford Banshees 24–6, Washington D.C. Exiles 26–12, Beacon Hill 12–0 and Albany Knickerbockers 20–6.

Champions: Bethlehem Hooligans Coach: Emil Signes Captain: George Yasso Roster: Dave Karvosky (Forward), Bill Downing (Forward), Dave Priestas (Back), Brian Hoffert (Back), Tom Zeiner (Wing), Scott Walker, Pete Peluso (Wing), Bill Baker (Center).

ITT 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 1982 the tournament took place in Oak Brook, IL from May 29–31 with the Pacific Coast RFU repeating as tournament champions. George Mostert of the Midwest was MVP back and Jay Hanson of the Pacific was MVP forward. Results:

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High School

The 1982 National High School Rugby Championship took place in Palo Alto, California at Stanford University's Harry Maloney Field from May 14–15."Turlock Ruggers Third". (May 17, 1982). Modesto Bee, p.D-5 col.2 Redwood High of Larkspur, CA repeated as champions after defeating Highland of Utah in the final."Highland Rugby Team 2nd". (May 18, 1982). Deseret News, p.D3 col.6-7

Championship

Champions: Redwood High Coach: David Kirschoff Roster: D. Shubin, Evan Frank, Ralf Venne, Jeff Davis, Don Morshead, Bob McHugh, Gordon Wright, B. Risch, Doug Giles, Tim Peterson, John Morken, Robert Salaber, Jeff Terry, Mark Barry, Frank Minenna, Scott Carter, Walter Friend, Peter Gordon, Bud Reilly, A. diSuvero, Ken Arciga, Pat Farley, Chris Matthews, J. Donovan, Sean Tighe, Ralph Salaber, Dan Morrison, Jeff Maier, Rich Coyle, C. Andrade, Jim Land, Rhim Fleischman, J. deTomasi, James Choulous, Matt Rubenstein, Pat Doyle, Mark MacQuarrie, Matt Eschoo.

References