St. Louis Bombers RFC

[edit] Founding the Bombers

The St. Louis Bombers Rugby Football Club arrived on the St. Louis rugby scene in the spring of 1962. Original founding members of the club included Frank Hauff, Gene Gladstone, Tom Jones, Cliff Schlereth, Bob Meyer, and John Himmelman, who the Black side MVP award is named after. The Bombers were a result of a merger between “The Old Blacks” and the “Sisler-Hummel” rugby clubs, two of the most powerful and successful clubs in St. Louis during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Coached and captained by Frank Hauff from 1962-1965, the Bombers immediately took control of St. Louis rugby, winning the Missouri Rugby Union Championship in their first two years and five out of their first six. From 1964 to 1965 the Bombers were undefeated and shut out all league opponents.

[edit] The Early Years

In those early days the Bombers played a rugged style of rugby and enjoyed walking off the pitch a little bloodied after a match. This was characterized by the coaching philosophy of the day, as quoted from the 1972 Missouri Rugby Union yearbook. “We would rather teach someone who likes to hit how to play rugby, than teach someone who likes to play rugby how to hit”.

The Bombers attracted many talented athletes and rugby players during the 1970’s and 1980’s, but finished as runner-up to the powerful and now defunct St. Louis Falcon’s RFC for most of the two decades. Though the Bombers won several tournament titles during this period, the biggest matches were always against the Falcons. There was never a dull moment when the Bombers and Flacons stepped on the pitch to do battle. To quote Jim Dierker, “We hated them and every game was a blood fest”. The tremendous Bomber tradition of playing hard rugby, supporting your club mates, and having a lot of fun doing it was built during this time.

Turning the corner in 1988, the Bombers won the first in a string of Missouri Rugby Union Championships, and have won this Championship in every year but three. This includes sweeping 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, divisions of the Missouri Rugby Union in every year except one since 1996. The Bombers have also shown well in the USA Rugby Western Club Championships, winning the Championship in 2001.

[edit] The Current Side

A commitment to compete against the top clubs from across the country, and a strong winning record versus these clubs, keep the Bombers rated as one of the top Rugby Clubs in America. In 2005 the Bombers were invited to join the USA Rugby “Super League”, the top club competition in the country. In 2006 the Bombers added a women’s club team to become a larger and more diverse club that appeals to all rugby players.

[edit] Recent Club Acomplishments

14 - 1st Division Missouri RFU Championships

13 - 2nd Division Missouri RFU Championships

11 - 3rd Division Missouri RFU Championships

1999 Major League Rugby USA National Champions

2001, 2003, & 2004 USA Rugby Western Club Champions

2001 USA Rugby “Elite Eight” appearance

2002, 2003, 2004, & 2005 USA Rugby "Sweet 16" appearances

2006 join the USA Rugby Super League competition