Jay Hanson '74 picked for U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame

The United States Rugby Foundation Board of Trustees and Directors announced this month that John (Jay) T. Hanson, Jr. '74 (above middle in this iconic Sports Illustrated photo) is among eight inductees for the 2014 class into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame.

Hanson, who has spent more than 42 years in the sport as a player, coach and organizer, will be honored at the hall's annual dinner in Houston on June 7 prior to the U.S. Eagles match against Scotland. 

While a student at TCU, Hanson started playing the sport with the Fort Worth Rugby Club in 1972. "It was in Fort Worth that I learned some of the traditional Rugby songs and embraced the rugby club culture," he shared. "I loved it and had a great time. I became addicted to rugby and spent many years focused on rugby far and above anything else."

He played at flanker in the Eastern Rugby Union’s narrow 12-6 loss to France in 1976. That match earned Hanson his first look with the U.S. National Team as he sat in reserve at hooker for the USA Eagles match against France. Hanson toured with the Eagles on their first three tours abroad to England, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and earned seven caps during his playing career. He also played for the Pacific Coast Grizzlies from 1977-1985. Hanson started coaching while he was still an active player and has continued to do so. Now living outside the Bay Area in Grass Valley, Calif., he most recently helped organize and coach various age-level programs at the Sierra Foothills Rugby Club and is a co-coach for the Sierra Foothills Collegiate rugby team.
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