UCLA Rugby has announced it's 2020 Hall of Fame inductees:
PIERCE COOLEY 2006-2010
Pierce Cooley was a highly successful scrumhalf and captain under Coach Scott Stewart. Cooley was one of Stewart's first decorated recruits, a USA Rugby HS All-American. During his years at UCLA, Cooley was a key leader in the early years of Coach Stewart's career. In 2010, Cooley was selected as a Collegiate All-American. Before UCLA, Cooley was co-captain of Jesuit High School which won the 2006 National Championship. Since UCLA, Cooley played 4 years for Santa Monica Rugby Club and now is a referee in the San Diego area for collegiate and club rugby matches.
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STEVE GRAY 1976-1978, 1981
Steve Gray came to play at UCLA as a graduate student in 1976 during the latter years of Dennis Storer's career. Over the course of his career, Steve played every position in the backline. Steve also served as coach at UCLA during the 1981 season. After UCLA, Gray was a successful player at Los Angeles Rugby Club, West Rand (South Africa), Merthyr (Wales), Vail RFC, the University of Miami, OMBAC, and Sacramento RFC. Gray was a member of the first USA Eagles 15s rugby team and was first capped in June 1976 vs. France. He was also the captain of the first Eagles 7s team that went to Hong Kong in 1980. In total, Steve earned 6 caps in 15's and 18 caps in 7's. Steve was also a successful coach at several levels including Los Angeles Rugby Club, San Diego State University, which won a Collegiate National Championship in 1987, Pacific Coast Grizzlies 7's Team, USA Eagles 7's, UC Davis and Sacramento State, in addition to numerous high schools. Steve has retired but remains a contributor to the game as a rugby coaching certification educator and certified referee. Steve is a member of the USA Rugby Hall of Fame, inducted in 2016.
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BILL MCENTEER 1966-1968
Bill began his rugby career playing for newly arrived Coach Storer in his inaugural season and played for two additional seasons, largely on the Greyhounds side. After graduation, Bill continued to contribute both on and off the pitch as a co-founder of Santa Monica RFC in 1972. Bill had numerous club affiliations as a player, held numerous senior administrative roles for Santa Monica RFC, Aspen RFC, Southern California RFU, Pacific Coast RFU and USA RFU. In 2001, Bill retired from playing. In 2006, he was inducted into the Santa Monica RFC Hall of Fame and in 2019, he was inducted into the Aspen Rugby Hall of Fame.
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Every year, prior inductees vote for player and coach alumni that have made an impact both on and off the field. The nominees and inductees span the club's 80 year history. UCLA Rugby fields competitive teams in both 15s and 7s rugby that compete regionally, nationally and internationally. Recently the teams have competed in the Varsity Cup, Collegiate Rugby Championship, PAC 7s and in the PAC Rugby Conference.
Join us on January 18th at the annual
Alumni and Hall of Fame banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of our three inductees. The event will be held in the Pauley Pavilion - Pavilion Club starting at 6pm.
