MEMPHIS BLUES RUGBY CLUB HISTORY

 

Club History

 

The Memphis Blues Rugby Club has a history dating back to the fall of 1968 when Scotsman, Malcomb Williams, originally founded the Club as the Memphis Wanderers.  In 1973 the Club changed its name to the Memphis Bulls reflecting a sponsorship by Schlitz Brewery.  Two years later, in 1975, the Club again changed its name, this time to Memphis Old No.7 after affiliating with Jack Daniel's Distillery.  Over time the sponsorship with Jack Daniel's diminished, yet the Club maintained the name Old No.7.

 

Meanwhile, in 1985 the Rugby Club at the University of Memphis was established with the assistance of Old No.7 in order to create a college team in Memphis.  Both Old No.7 and the University enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship over the years with the college side benefiting from having experienced Old No.7 players as coaches and Old No.7 enjoyed a pool of younger talent joining the team when their eligibility expired or they graduated from the University.

 

In the Fall of 1998, Memphis Old No.7 and the Rugby Club at the University of Memphis elected to merge and form the Memphis Blues Rugby Club.  The impact of the merger had an immediate positive impact on the level of play and has distinguished the Memphis Blues as the premiere rugby club in Memphis as weft as reestablishing Memphis, and specifically the Memphis Blues, as a formidable opponent.

 

The Memphis Blues are a Division 2 t@ fielding 2 sides and competing in the Mid -South Local Area Union along with Nashville, Fort Campbell, Huntsville, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis City, and the Pirates of the Plateau.  In addition the Memphis Blues competes in South Territorial Union which is comprised of teams from the Deep Soutk Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Palmetto Rugby Unions.

 

The Blues also sponsor a men's college side called the Memphis Blues Rugby Club at the University of Memphis.  Plans are being developed to also create a woman's team at the college as well.

 

'Me Blues home field is located at Tobey Park (located on N. Hollywood between Central and Park).  Practices are held Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30.  Home games are also played at Tobey Park with a start time of around 1:00.

 

The Club has a number of sponsors, which aids in defraying costs associated with running the Club.  The Club greatly appreciates the support of the sponsors and encourages players as well as patrons to visit our sponsors and to @ them for their support.  We proudly salute Liberty Chrysler Plymouth, D. Canale, Newby's Bar & Grill, Horseshoe Casino, Silky O'Sullivans, Hard Rock Cafe.

 

For more information about the Memphis Blues call our rugby Hotline at 522-9871.