Club History

 

Former Club Presidents

In Memoriam

Past Team Pictures

 

The Red Mountain R.F.C. was conceived in 1993 when Mike Jones, a former Scottsdale player, decided to bring rugby to the east valley. Mesa, a growing suburb of Phoenix, Arizona, was where Mike wanted to base the club. Within the first couple of years of its establishment, Red Mountain was able to win the Arizona Rugby Union... (A.R.U.) Division II Championship. The following seasons showed promise for the future with Red Mountain working very hard to repeat its early initial success.

In 2001, Red Mountain was able to win the A.R.U. Division II title again with a new influx of players who rejuvenated the team. This win qualified Red Mountain for its first foray into national post-season play. The club went on to the Pacific Coast Playoff's for National Division III rugby and finished a commendable third at the Pacific Coast Championships.

The 2002 season saw Red Mountain move to the A.R.U's first division where they finished 2nd. Red Mountain went on to Territorial post-season play and finished 8th in the Pacific Coast Division II championship.

2003 was the year that Red Mountain established itself on the national scene. Under club president Scott Mead who had a new vision for the club, Matt Dallow (Olympic Athlete and former USA Eagle) was brought on as head coach. Coach Dallow drew a score of former U of A rugby players and created a program that attracted many new members to the club who had not previously played the sport. Red Mountain won the A.R.U. Championship, the Pacific Coast Division II Championship, and went on to finish 5th in the nation for Division II rugby. Following an exceptional regular season, Red Mountains 7's team qualified and played in the 2003 national 7's finals.

Red Mountain continued its strong growth in the 2004 season, finishing 2nd in the A.R.U. Division I championship, took 2nd place in the Pacific Coast Playoffs, and went on to the National championship tournament for its 2nd straight year. Red Mountain finished in the Elite Eight for Division II rugby once again.

In 2005, Red Mountain won the A.R.U. Division I championship, the Pacific Coast Division II championship and once again qualified for National Division II playoffs. Red Mountain went on to finish in the top 5 for the U.S. Division II rugby.

In 2006, Red Mountain again reached national level play finishing 3rd in the nation in the Division II Championships.

In 2007, Red Mountain finished second in the nation at the national level after a last second heart breaking loss in the final.

2008 saw Red Mountain take care of "unfinished business" by winning he USA Rugby Division 2 National Championship after an undefeated season under new Head Coach Kevin Torkelson (Former Eagle). Red Mountain is he first team from the Arizona Rugby Union to win a national championship.

2009-Present Red Mountain still fields one of the strongest teams on the Pacific Coast (we have been a presence at the playoff's each year), our goal is to bring home another National Championship Trophy to the valley.

The Red Mountain Rugby Club now boasts a player base of more than 70 players ranging in age from 21 to more than 40 years old.To date, Red Mountain maintains a strong family atmosphere, drawing spectators from all major demographics.

Objectives

Red Mountain Rugby Club is one of the top Amateur Rugby Clubs in the United States. A perennial national finalist in all forms of the game, Red Mountain
is looking to consolidate on past success by growing exponentially, becoming the most successful, organized and professional outfit within the USA Rugby
Football Union.

It is with the assistance of corporate partners that Red Mountain Rugby has been able to enjoy its current success. However, in order to continue its
growth and successes, Red Mountain needs to continue to grow its partnerships with team sponsors.The Red Mountain Rugby Club, through its Board of Directors, has established a strategic plan to carry it to the next level. This plan has been put in place to establish a clear goal for the future of the club.

The Red Mountain Rugby Club is committed to continuing and furthering its community initiatives, through various fundraisers, school and college
coaching clinics, and to the general growth of Rugby in Arizona.

Red Mountain is also committed to becoming Arizona's most successful, and the nation's number one rugby team, whilst continuing to foster a spirit of
honesty, integrity and constant professional development within the club.Given the high level of exposure received through the Arizona media, as well as the success on both local and national levels, Red Mountain Rugby is in a strong position to offer a great return on investment in the club.

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Former Club Presidents

Mike Jones*

John Marks

Mike Leon*

Giles Tipsword*

Scott Mead*

Matt Squires*

Adolfo Sanchez

* indicates 2+ years served

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In Memoriam of our brothers who are no longer with us:

Butch Ryan (1995)

Merrit Nichols (2006)

Mike Wood  (2007)

Frank Molina (2009)

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Past Teams

 

1999 Warthogs (End of Year Pic)

2000 Warthogs (Flagstaff 10's)

2001 Warthogs (End of Year Pic)

2002 Warthogs (End of Year Pic)

2003 Warthogs (National Round of 16 Tournament)

2004 Warthogs (Pac Coast Playoff's)

2005 Warthogs (End of Year)

2006 Warthogs (National Championships Pic)

2007 Warthogs (National Championships Pic)

2008 Warthogs (National Championship Pic)

2011 Warthogs (End of Year Pic)

2012 Warthogs (1st Match)

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