On May 17, 2012 Springfield/South County Youth Club presented Jeff Rupp with the annual Paul Westlein award in sincere appreciation for his true spirit of volunteerism, significant contributions and dedicated years of support and services to SYC.  Jeff single handedly started the rugby program in 2000, when his daughter was not even old enough to play.   Twelve years later, he continues to oversee the entire program without a child participating in rugby.   Jeff has also volunteered as a head coach and assistant coach with rec soccer, and served on the SYC board of Directors (2001-2004).   Speaking from his heart, SYC rugby parent Glen Tobias says, “Jeff has become to many an icon of coaching integrity, compassionate care for community, team work, leadership and vision. Jeff's communication is without ambiguity and his intentions clearly defined.”   SYC Rugby teams routinely do well year after year.  Some highlights include:

 * Boys high school team, known as "West End," has made 4 straight appearances in the Rugby Virginia state championship game from 2009 to 2012 and won the championship  in 2010 and again in 2011. 

* Summer rugby 2011 teams won 5 of the 8 age group championships at the season-ending tournament.   Jeff coached the boys U15 tackle team himself, and we went 4-0 at the tournament.   

SYC Rugby ended its summer 2012 season with a bang by winning six age-group championships at the annual Rugby Virginia Summer Youth League Championships.

 But as Jeff puts it “For me, SYC Rugby is about more than just building championship teams, it's also about building champion kids, kids who are hard-working and dedicated and who demonstrate good character and good sportsmanship whether they win or lose.”

Congratulations Jeff on a job well done!