USAFA Women's Rugby Team Heroes
The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) Women’s Rugby Team formed with the first classes of women in 1977. Alan Osur became the first coach and then came back from 1994-2007 to coach for a total of over 16 years! Other memorable coaches who inspired the women include Vern Avery (first national championship) and Amy Rusert (current coach). USAFA was the first service academy to establish a women’s team and performance throughout the years has remained strong.
This dedication to excellence showed in 1991 when USAFA won the first NCAA Division I Women’s National Rugby Championship. Following this, the team has continued with outstanding play and has captured to date seven 15s and two 7s National Championships. It has seen fifty-four All-Americans and five Eagles. Ruggers, however, savor less the championship victories but more the camaraderie and bonds formed on the journey to those wins.
The toughness and assiduity of USAFA Rugby Players combined with their intellect, wit and dedication to teamwork leads to outstanding USAF officers. Among the greats include the first female special operations pilot (and many that followed), many early fighter pilots, numerous general officers, those serving in the senior executive service (SES) and those appointed to political office.
Given that USAFA Ruggers are driven to serve in high-intensity, dangerous operations, most have stepped up and put their lives on the line. A few that we have had the honor to play alongside listed below have paid the ultimate sacrifice during service to their country.
Here’s a toast:
Laura Piper (1992); Intelligence Officer; KIA 4/14/94 (Iraq)
Victoria Pinckney (Castro) (2008); KC-135 Pilot; KIA 5/3/13 (Kyrgyzstan)
Adrianna Vorderbruggen (2002); Office of Special Investigations (OSI) Commander; KIA 12/21/15 (Afghanistan)
All proceeds from bracelet sales will go to the Alan Osur Perpetual Fund for Women's Rugby, directly supporting the long-term stability of the USAFA Rugby team.
The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) Women’s Rugby Team formed with the first classes of women in 1977. Alan Osur became the first coach and then came back from 1994-2007 to coach for a total of over 16 years! Other memorable coaches who inspired the women include Vern Avery (first national championship) and Amy Rusert (current coach). USAFA was the first service academy to establish a women’s team and performance throughout the years has remained strong.
This dedication to excellence showed in 1991 when USAFA won the first NCAA Division I Women’s National Rugby Championship. Following this, the team has continued with outstanding play and has captured to date seven 15s and two 7s National Championships. It has seen fifty-four All-Americans and five Eagles. Ruggers, however, savor less the championship victories but more the camaraderie and bonds formed on the journey to those wins.
The toughness and assiduity of USAFA Rugby Players combined with their intellect, wit and dedication to teamwork leads to outstanding USAF officers. Among the greats include the first female special operations pilot (and many that followed), many early fighter pilots, numerous general officers, those serving in the senior executive service (SES) and those appointed to political office.
Given that USAFA Ruggers are driven to serve in high-intensity, dangerous operations, most have stepped up and put their lives on the line. A few that we have had the honor to play alongside listed below have paid the ultimate sacrifice during service to their country.
Here’s a toast:
Laura Piper (1992); Intelligence Officer; KIA 4/14/94 (Iraq)
Victoria Pinckney (Castro) (2008); KC-135 Pilot; KIA 5/3/13 (Kyrgyzstan)
Adrianna Vorderbruggen (2002); Office of Special Investigations (OSI) Commander; KIA 12/21/15 (Afghanistan)
All proceeds from bracelet sales will go to the Alan Osur Perpetual Fund for Women's Rugby, directly supporting the long-term stability of the USAFA Rugby team.
The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) Women’s Rugby Team formed with the first classes of women in 1977. Alan Osur became the first coach and then came back from 1994-2007 to coach for a total of over 16 years! Other memorable coaches who inspired the women include Vern Avery (first national championship) and Amy Rusert (current coach). USAFA was the first service academy to establish a women’s team and performance throughout the years has remained strong.
This dedication to excellence showed in 1991 when USAFA won the first NCAA Division I Women’s National Rugby Championship. Following this, the team has continued with outstanding play and has captured to date seven 15s and two 7s National Championships. It has seen fifty-four All-Americans and five Eagles. Ruggers, however, savor less the championship victories but more the camaraderie and bonds formed on the journey to those wins.
The toughness and assiduity of USAFA Rugby Players combined with their intellect, wit and dedication to teamwork leads to outstanding USAF officers. Among the greats include the first female special operations pilot (and many that followed), many early fighter pilots, numerous general officers, those serving in the senior executive service (SES) and those appointed to political office.
Given that USAFA Ruggers are driven to serve in high-intensity, dangerous operations, most have stepped up and put their lives on the line. A few that we have had the honor to play alongside listed below have paid the ultimate sacrifice during service to their country.
Here’s a toast:
Laura Piper (1992); Intelligence Officer; KIA 4/14/94 (Iraq)
Victoria Pinckney (Castro) (2008); KC-135 Pilot; KIA 5/3/13 (Kyrgyzstan)
Adrianna Vorderbruggen (2002); Office of Special Investigations (OSI) Commander; KIA 12/21/15 (Afghanistan)
All proceeds from bracelet sales will go to the Alan Osur Perpetual Fund for Women's Rugby, directly supporting the long-term stability of the USAFA Rugby team.