Our HISTORY
The history of Fort Wayne Rugby is one filled with camaraderie, passion, and a love for the game. The story begins with Todd Davis, who brought his rugby experience from Indiana University and his time in the military to establish a local club. This account details the club's origins, its evolution through the early years, and notable milestones that helped shape Fort Wayne Rugby as a lasting legacy in the community.
Origins and Early Days (1969)
In February 1969, with the first signs of spring thaw, Todd Davis, fresh from military service and missing the rugby culture he'd experienced at Indiana University, sought to bring the sport to Fort Wayne. At the time, there were only two rugby clubs in Indiana, so Davis set out to build the Fort Wayne Rugby Football Club from scratch. The club’s first recruit, Mark "Bo" "Rocky" Petit, was found in a local pub, Bimbo's on the Landing, and soon others joined from various places like Komet hockey games, IPFW, Indiana Tech, and the city's pubs.
The first meeting took place at the Big Wheel (now Columbia Street West), and the original team, donning blue jerseys with random letters sewn on the back, was born. After six practices, the club played its first match against Illinois Valley Rugby Club in LaSalle-Peru, Illinois. Though the team lost narrowly, enthusiasm and the player base grew.
Establishing Traditions
(Late 1960s to 1970s)
Fort Wayne Rugby quickly began to carve out its traditions. One memorable occasion was Todd Davis' wedding at halftime during a rugby game at Shoaf Park in May 1969. As the seasons progressed, the club became well known for its games at Franke Park, especially as the Three Rivers Festival Rugby Tournament host. Starting in 1971, the tournament became the longest-running annual rugby event in the United States, drawing players and fans alike. The local bar Maples Inn became famous for hosting many a celebratory third half, fostering team spirit.
The Clubhouse Years and International Glory
(Mid-1970s)
The mid-1970s marked the notorious "Clubhouse Years," a time of boisterous camaraderie that only Old Boys can truly recount. O'Sullivan's Pub became the team's social hub and still holds that role today. In 1979, Fort Wayne Rugby reached a proud milestone when Jessie Lopez, a team member, was selected to play for the USA Eagles, America's national rugby team. Lopez represented the U.S. in its first-ever international victory that year and went on to tour England and South Africa with the Eagles, marking a high point in the club’s early history. Meanwhile, the club continued to host its annual Leather Ball, an event celebrating the team's bonds with awards, toasts, and stories shared.
Growth, Brotherhood, and Legacy
The 1980s
As Fort Wayne Rugby entered the 1980s, the club’s foundation of camaraderie and competitive spirit solidified into what many describe as its golden era of brotherhood. The decade saw an influx of new players, many transitioning from football backgrounds and seeking the same mix of teamwork, physicality, and contact. Among them was Tom Riethmiller, who, like so many others, found himself recruited at O’Sullivan’s Pub, the team’s long-standing social hub.
Practices at Franke Park, often led by veteran figures like Todd Davis, Jesse Lopez, and Frank McCartney, blended intensity with humor and an ever-present sense of family. But it was the after-practice gatherings, beers shared at the Starting Point with loyal supporters like the Highlen family, that truly strengthened the fabric of the club. These post-practice traditions built bonds that extended well beyond the pitch, shaping a community of players who became lifelong friends.
During this era, Fort Wayne Rugby’s trademark identity as the “Black & Blue” took firm hold, representing both the bruises earned in competition and the deep loyalty between teammates. The club continued to balance spirited play with an equally strong social tradition, setting the tone for decades to come.
Tournaments, Traditions, and Legacy
The 1980s were marked by a period of expansion and adventure, with Fort Wayne Rugby Football Club becoming a fixture on the Midwest tournament circuit. Teams traveled to legendary events such as the St. Louis Ruggerfest, Kankakee, Kentucky Derby Rugby Festival, Traverse City, Nash Bash, and the Infamous Battleship Tournament in Mobile, Alabama, each trip adding a new chapter to the club’s growing lore.
These tournaments became defining experiences, blending competition, travel, and friendship in ways that reflected rugby’s unique culture.
The club’s own Three Rivers Rugby Tournament, established in 1971, flourished throughout the decade and became one of the longest-running annual rugby tournaments in the United States. Initially hosted at Franke Park, the event attracted teams from across the Midwest, including Queen City, Lincoln Park, Findlay, Dayton, Detroit, and archrival Indianapolis. The July heat and post-match celebrations at O’Sullivan’s became as legendary as the matches themselves.
In 1987, Fort Wayne captured its first Three Rivers Championship, defeating the Wisconsin All-Stars in a match remembered as much for its on-field intensity as for the pre-game hospitality extended to the visiting team.
As the city evolved, so did the tournament’s venue, moving from Franke Park to sites such as Crozier Brothers’ Monastery, the Plex South, Metea Park, and Concordia Seminary, before eventually settling at McMillen Park. The event’s annual T-shirts, featuring original artwork by Kenny Dutton, became highly sought-after keepsakes that symbolized the spirit of Fort Wayne Rugby.
The 1980s also produced a generation of dedicated players who would go on to lead and coach, ensuring the club’s continuity. Many veterans later served as captains, presidents, and high school coaches, helping to grow the game locally and pass on the club’s values of toughness, loyalty, and community.
Through it all, Fort Wayne Rugby’s culture remained defined by friendship and the enduring Black & Blue spirit — a brotherhood forged in competition, strengthened by laughter, and sustained by the legacy of those who wore the jersey before.
