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.
Michaela Gleason
Age: 18
Hails From: Appleton, Wisconsin
Job that Pays the Bills: Student
Rugby Life:
First member of the Appleton area Dragons Youth Flag Rugby (2014)
Began refereeing flag rugby while playing at age 11
Played scrum half for her middle school girls' tackle rugby team at age 12
Played with The Mad-Town Furies (2019)
Captain, 15’s and 7’s with The Panther Rugby Club (also known as the Stevens Point Area High School team or S.P.A.S.H) (2020-2023)
Played for Badger Selects Rugby Academy (2021, 2022)
Played for Wisconsin Girls All-star team (2021, 2022)
Multiple Player of the Match awards
Level 1 certified referee
Nominated for the 2023 Wisconsin Rugby Summit, Referee of the Year
Leading Like a Boss:
Began wrestling at age 5 with Terror Wrestling. Wrestled until age 12, finishing 12th in the state
Member of 4-H (Awarded Best Goose and Reserve Grand Champion!)
Chapter President FFA her senior year of high school
Awarded the FFA, Academic Achievement Award, Green Hand degree, Discovery Degree, and Chapter Degree, along with a Four-Year Senior Award
Why We Love Michaela:
She started refereeing flag rugby at eleven years old and refereeing adult tackle games at age seventeen. She aspires to be a star referee and says ‘Someday I would love to be at center field of an MLR or PR7’s game.’
All photos provided by the award recipient