Steve Gray is a former UCLA Rugby player that played for ULCA during the late 70's. Steve played for UCLA under the Coach Dennis Storer, who led UCLA to a number of national Championships. Steve Gray played rugby for 35 years and had a very impressive carrer. He captained both the USA 7s and 15s teams, earning six caps in 15s and 18 in 7s. He was a part of the first USA Eagles Team in the modern era, he captained the first USA team to play in the Hong Kong 7s, and he played on the Overseas International Rugby Team that played Wales in their Centenary Season Series in 1981. He coached the USA National 7s Team in selected tournaments between 1985-1999, claiming second place in the 1993 Lisbon International 7s Tournament and the Plate title at the 1986 Hong Kong 7s. He was a certified referee and an IRB Rugby Educator & Trainer. He has worked with the USA Men's and Women's 7s teams at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista to develop a pending USA Rugby 7s course. I was fortunate enough to be in contact with Steve and was able to find out more about his time playing rugby and his experiences at UCLA under Dennis Storer.
When asked about his time at UCLA Steve said, "Playing for UCLA was one of the highlights of my rugby career. Dennis Storer was our coach and the national team coach during most of my time at UCLA, he was a player's coach. He encouraged us to play an expansive game, use our athletic talents, and if we made mistakes in the process, that was OK. We had over 20 varsity football players on the team and they came out because of this philosophy. Practices and games were fun and we were really good! We came in 2nd at the Monterey Tournament in 1978. Monterey was the unofficial national championship at that time for college and club teams. We also toured England and Wales one year; played Oxford. Dennis was renowned for being a bit disorganized (1st hotel did not know we were coming on the date we showed up!) but it was the greatest tour ever. What a great group of guys, on and off the field. By the way, we played in only a few 7's tournaments but we won them handily. Hard to beat great athletic talent & good coaching. Dennis loved the flowing wide open 7's game. I've modeled my basic coaching philosophy on his belief system."
Steve is very glad to be inducted into the hall of fame and said, "I am very appreciative. Rugby was and is my passion; it changed my life. I'm very lucky to be recognized in this unique, wonderful game. And my experiences at UCLA played a central role in the things I was able to achieve in the game."
When asked who he would like to thank Steve said, "Dennis Storer was my mentor (and a great friend); I wish I would have told him this more often while he was alive. I also would like to thank all my teammates; it was an easy group to play with because they never backed down from a challenge. Guys like John Fowler, Ron Wollard, Vic Mayer, Rob Duncansen, Del Chipman, Terry Scott, Kim Johansson, Rob Piggott and many more were so much fun to play with."
And finally Steve has a message for all of the Bruins preparing to compete at the CRC!
"Enjoy the moment. And as I mentioned above remember Coach Storer's philosophy of playing an open game using your athleticism and not worrying about mistakes--go for it. You have an opportunity to represent a great program and university; not many get such a chance. I did not appreciate it enough at the time. Go Bruins!"
GO BRUINS!
