Jeff Rupp started playing rugby in 1984 at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, and still plays with Rocky Gorge RFC in Maryland. Other clubs along the way have included Churchill College 1st XV (Cambridge University in England), University of Minnesota RFC, Tampa RFC, and Maryland Old Boys RFC. He has always been a forward (especially lock and prop), but coaching has forced him to learn more about what the backs do.

Jeff founded the SYC Rugby program in 2000, and has coached ever since. In 2002, he started a high school team called Cambridge Road RFC comprised mostly of students from Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria. Jeff holds USA Rugby Youth and Level I coaching certifications. Contact Info: home 703-921-0014, cell 703-309-1389, work 703-575-5738, e-mail: sycrugby@mindspring.com.

Red U-11s

Jeff Wright, who played some rugby while in the military, is in his 2nd year coaching the Red U-11s. Jeff also coaches SYC soccer. His son Daniel plays for the Red U-11s.

Mike Cokenour played rugby at Mt. Vernon High School and for several local men's clubs, as well as on a particularly memorable occasion in the snow and freezing cold of Moscow in November 1987. This is his 2nd year coaching the Red U-11s; Mike also coaches SYC lacrosse. His son Jake plays for the Red U-11s.

White U-11s

Maria Vastola first played rugby at American University in 1999, playing all forward positions but especially lock. She now plays for the Maryland Stingers, one of the premier women's clubs in the USA. This is Maria's 2nd year coaching at SYC. She is also certified as a youth rugby referee.

Rob Walters started playing rugby in 1984 as a freshman at Loyola College in Baltimore, helping them to the East Coast Championship and a #6 national collegiate ranking his senior year. He also played a couple of seasons for the NOVA men's club. Rob's daughter Molly plays for the White U-11s.

Blue U-11s

Jeff Rupp is in his 4th year coaching an SYC U-11 team. Last year he guided the Blue U-11s to a PRUYL Bowl Championship, and this year aims to win the U-11 league championship outright. See full bio above.

George Anderson started rugby at Mt. Vernon High School in 1976, then played for George Mason University and NOVA men's club (with a few territorial all-star appearances thrown in) until retiring from the game in 1990. He played loosehead prop his entire career. George's sons Chris and Brian play for the Blue U-11 team.

Verne Walden started playing rugby with Old Blue RFC in New York City back in 1966. Other clubs over the years included Gentlemen of New York (over-35s), Washington Poltroons (over-35s), DIOK RFC (Netherlands), and Saracens (England). Verne is still active with the Washington Rugby Club. He is a USA Rugby-certified Level 3 touch judge and non-contact referee. His grandson Da'Jon Marshall plays for the Blue U-11s.

Chris Petrakes played much of his rugby career with the Maryland Old Boys, helping them win the 1989 National Club 7s Rugby Championship. In the early 1990s, Chris made several appearances playing for the USA Eagles 7s team. His son Billy plays for the Blue U-11s.

Green U-11s

Beth Stevens started playing rugby at Northwestern University in 1998, and currently plays lock and prop for the Washington Women's RFC (DC Furies). The Furies are currently ranked 7th among women's teams in the USA.

Melissa Boger also plays for the DC Furies as a flanker and #8. She started rugby in 1992 at Old Dominion University, and has also played for the Norfolk Storm and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Melissa holds a USA Rugby Level I coaching certification.

Dalton Cossio is an enthusiastic newcomer to coaching rugby. His son John and daughter Julia play for the Green U-11s.

Red U-15s

Mike Green played much of his rugby for Sud Americano and the Potomac Athletic Club; he also was active as a rugby referee for several years. His son Ian plays for the Red U-15s, while daughter Vickie plays for the Red U-11s.

Paul Kirwan is in his 1st year coaching SYC Rugby. His son Nick plays for the Red U-15s.

White U-15s

Nick Deplitch started playing rugby in 1999 with West End, a local high school age team, then continued at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate New York until his graduation this past Spring 2003. This is Nick's 3rd season coaching at SYC.

Richard Willatt, an Englishman, is in his 4th year helping coach SYC Rugby. His son Gareth plays for the White U-15s.

Blue U-15s

Pete Walton started playing rugby at George Washington University in 1994, and currently plays lock for the Potomac Athletic Club, a local Super League team. Pete coached GWU's rugby team from 1999 to 2001, leading them to the Mid-Atlantic Division II collegiate playoffs after the Fall 2001 season. He holds a USA Rugby Level I coaching certification.

Jen DeMarr started rugby at Shippensburg University in 1996. She then played at Brandywine Women's RFC near Philadelphia before coming down to join the NOVA Women's Club, where she currently plays prop. Jen coached the West Chester Each Girls Rugby program in 2001-2002. She holds a USA Rugby Level I coaching certification.

Dean Gill played some rugby but says he has learned more coaching in a week than he ever did as a player! His son Michael plays for the Blue U-15s.

Red U-17s

William Anaru, a native of New Zealand, is in his 1st year coaching SYC Rugby.

Blue U-17s

Jeff Freeman started playing rugby in the late 1970s at the Naval Academy, then continued with various clubs during his career in the Navy. Jeff is in his 2nd year coaching SYC Rugby, and guided last year's U-17 team to the league championship. His son Peter plays for the Blue U-17s.