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.
Kirby Gordon
Age: 30
Hails From: Reading, PA
Job that Pays the Bills: Public Defender
Rugby Life:
Player, Philadelphia Rugby Club (March 2023-present)
Player, Reading Tulips (2021-2023)
Player, Lehigh Valley (2021-2022)
Player, Blackyardigans Rugby Club (March 2022- present)
Recruitment Chair (January, 2023-present)
Player, Phoenixville White Horse (2018-2020)
Recruitment Chair (2019-2020)
Referee, Eastern Penn Rugby Referee Society (February 2019-present)
Referee, RugbyPA Professional Match Official (February 2023-present)
Leading Like a Boss:
President of Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union
Division 3 Women's Competition Coordinator for the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union
Serves on the Board of Directors for the EPRU
Disciplinary Chair, EPRU Executive Committee (2022-2023)
Played a crucial role in the creation and ongoing management of the Lentz Cup, a spring tournament for non-playoff teams named in honor of recently deceased former EPRU President, Frank Lentz
Servs as a key figure in the development of the Club All-Star Program
Created EPRU Red and White Day, which is an intra-union All-Star day featuring men's and women's matches
Created and manages the EPRU 7s series
Manages and supports the Dana Bateman Memorial Program, which serves to fund the ongoing education, training, and development of our membership
Part of the Dungeons and Dragons Club loosely affiliated with Reading Women's Rugby
Why We Love Kirby:
Because she’s a B-O-S-S! Nobody has been more essential to the growth, development, and success of the EPRU than Kirby. She is actively involved on a day-to-day basis with Men's Division 1-4 and Women's Division 1-3. She handles the day-to-day work of EPRU Women's D3 while building the All-Star pipeline. Despite existing since the 1970s, the EPRU has had only 2 women serve as Union President. This year, Kirby has become the first Black President in EPRU history and just the 3rd female President.
All photos provided by the award recipient