Santa Barbara Grunions RFC

[edit] The Beginnings

Of course we know that the Grunions were formed in 1978. We know because someone told us and we believed them. But what of the Grunion's predessors? Did anyone tell you about the Santa Barbara Ramblers or the Santa Barbara Lyons? The next time you need some new upholstry for your Porsche or that antique settee in your drawing room, stop by Renga Brothers Upholstry on De La Vina street in Santa Barbara. Ask Mr. Renga to tell you about his days playing scrumhalf for the Ramblers 1958-62. Games were played on open fields where Del Playa Stadium now stands at Santa Barbara City College. The Ramblers name was a pragmatic choice due to their lone sponcer being the local automobile dealer of that name. Other noteable club members were W.A. King of the Men's Clothing store of that name on Figuroa Street and Bob Bryant of Bryant and Sons Jewlers.

The Ramblers would fade from existence early in the sixties both as a Rugby entity and as a viable mode of transportation. Rugby as a sport continued in the area with teams forming at the new University of California campus out in Goleta and in Montecito with the Santa Barbara Lyons. Westmont College being a Christian College attracted students from Christian schools abroad. Among these were several outstanding Kenyan Rugby players. The Lyons drew their name from one of these charasmatic players who was tragically killed in an automobile accident while visiting back home in Kenya. The Lyons were made up of Westmont students and some local holdovers from the Santa Barbara Ramblers. The Lyons were in existence from the middle sixties until 1973-74. From that time until 1978 the Gauchos at U.C.S.B. were the lone Rugby Club in Santa Barbara.