Old Blue is actively recruiting committed players who wish to continue pursuing their rugby career.
Old Blue fields national championship caliber teams in both 15s and 7s and offers you a chance to reach your athletic potential. This includes the possibility of playing in the US Super League, participating in the US High Performance Program and being on a path to the North American 4 competition and the US Eagles.
The Club has a strong record in developing American players into high-level rugby athletes. Many players have made the leap from college to starting for Old Blue and playing for the Eagles, including James Lik (Wake Forest), Will Brazier (Fairfield Prep, Fairfield University) and former NFL running back Mike Malan (Brown). Other regular Super League players come from programs all over the US, including Chris Carey (Columbia), Johnny Cronje (Rutgers), Aaron Ellison (Maryland), and Blazej Kesy (Harvard). Emerging players include Fitzjames Adams (Buffalo), Ian Elliot (Colgate), Gordon Silvera and Anthony Garguilio (Dartmouth), Eliott "Screech" Rechtin (Costal Carolina ), Mike DiBona (Roger Williams) Calder Orr and Dan Daylamani (Columbia University), Greg Whelan (Fordham), Mike Murphy (U Conn), Tim Hanway (Brockport), Joe Judge and Keith Van Winkler (SUNY New Paltz).
There is no "typical" path to the Super League and D1 rosters. Players progress through the depth chart based on the combination of their talent, commitment and the needs of the Club. It is, however, not unusual for a new player to begin his Old Blue career on the developmental squad as a test of his abilities before progressing to the higher sides. But players can move up quickly as seen during the spring of 2008 when eight first-year players had multiple starts on the D1 team and five made their Super League debuts.
Since its founding in 1963 the Club has produced more national team players than any other club in the East. During this time 31 of our players have been chosen to play for the US and Kevin Swords (15s) and Bill Russell (7s) have had the honor of captaining the team. Old Blue has won two national 7s championships and played in the national 15s championship match on four occasions. It is proud to have been a founding member of the Super League and has made the playoffs every year since the league started.
As a member of Old Blue your development will be overseen staff of professional rugby coaches. The current head coach is Guillame Cieutat and the balance of the staff consists of former US Eagles head coach Ray Cornbill, longtime Northeast Coach Jaco Visser and Director of Rugby Sean Horan. Former coaches include the legendary Chuck Donigian who led the team to ten consecutive Northeast US league titles and two national championship matches, and the highly respected Geoff Mould who enjoyed a storied career with Sydney (Australia) School Boys.
Both the Super League and D1 teams travel throughout the US. During the spring of 2008 this included trips to Dallas, Charlotte, San Francisco and St. Louis. Most travel is heavily subsidized by the Club. In addition, all Old Blue players have off-season access to modern training facilities (Athletic Training Center) and a staff of trainers.
The Club trains and plays its matches at the state-of-the-art sports facilities of Columbia University in Manhattan. (http://www.gocolumbialions.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9600&KEY=&ATCLID=319174)
For elite college players, Old Blue can offer assistance in finding jobs and housing. This includes resume, interviewing and career guidance from seasoned career development experts. With a network of more than 800 active alumni you will have instant access and credibility at many New York-based firms. You'll find our Old Boys in prominent places throughout New York and the world, in fields as diverse as business, medicine, the law and government. Old Blue is about commitment, developing your skills and reaching your athletic potential. Old Blue is about winning.
