1975 Sexist OSU Newsletter
The Old Man, the newsletter of the Ohio State University Men’s Rugby club announced the formation of the Ohio State women’s team. Note the graphic illustration of a female player.
1977 The Pitch
The Tube and the Pitch, two different Ohio State Women’s team newsletters from 1977 show the grassroots organizing, bawdy nature of women’s rugby at the time.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
All donations made are tax deductible.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
All donations made are tax deductible.
Izzy Alexander
Name: Izzy Alexander
Age: 22
Hails from: Knoxville, TN
Job that Pays the Bills: Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant at the Univ. of Tennessee
Rugby Life:
USA South Select U23 (2024, 2025)
USA South Panthers Women’s Player Pool
Women’s Rugby Club at the University of Tennessee (2021 – 2026)
Fishers Girls Rugby (2018 – 2020)
Leading like a Boss:
President & Backs Captain of the Women’s Rugby Club at the University of Tennessee (Former, 2024-25)
Match Secretary & Captain of the Women’s Rugby Club at the University of Tennessee (Former, 2022-24)
Spirit of the Hellbender “Porsha Smash” Award (2025)
National Collegiate Rugby Scholastic All-American (2024 & 2025)
Member-referee of the MidSouth Rugby Referee Union (L1 Referee)
Named a University of Tennessee Torchbearer (2025)
Why we love Izzy:
I began my rugby journey in high school—I started off clumsy, quick but uncoordinated, horrible at passing, and the most vocal chatterbox on the field. Through patience, support, love, and genuine belief from my coaches, I have (finally!) learned to pass, and spent the past eight years relentlessly chasing my own dreams and pouring into the community around me wherever and however I can.
As a leader on my collegiate club team, I worked hard to build a team culture that emphasized the joy of the rugby community and the forever-love of the game. In my quest to give back, I’ve become a certified referee, worked with Knoxville Rugby on Rookie Rugby initiatives, and hosted countless skill sessions with my collegiate teammates. I dream to coach at the collegiate club level to keep the grassroots club rugby scene thriving wherever I land following my graduation from graduate school. The rugby community has given everything to me; trying to repay this debt is a lifelong journey, but I’m starting by pouring everything I have into new teammates, players, referees, coaches, and friends.
Photos provided by the award recipient