PAC RUGBY
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The History of PAC Rugby 

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The Princeton Athletic Club Rugby Football Team was first conceived in the spring of 1974 by Tom Pirelli and Jay Gore, graduates of Princeton University. They were joined by Allan Hill, Ken Taylor and Haydn Harris. But, five players do not a rugby team make. In November of that year, Neville O'Reilly, a South African, advertised in a local paper for players to fill out a side in a match he had scheduled against Rutgers. He had already recruited two Frenchmen, some Australians and various others. The game was never played, but, there was a party. On December 20, 1974 the Princeton Internationals RFC was founded. This was the last that was seen of Neville O'Reilly, and the end of the Princeton Internationals.

However, the opportunity to act out every weekend was too good to pass up and momentum was maintained.  On January 17, 1975 a "meeting" was held to elect club officers: Tony Hamer - Captain, Chris Gallagher President, Haydn Harris - Treasurer, Tom Pirelli - Match Secretary. Hamer and Gallagher quickly resigned, but Harris collected dues and Pirelli scheduled a full season of matches for the reconceived Princeton Athletic Club. That first season ended with a victorious road trip to Montreal and an even 5 - 5 won-loss record.

From that humble beginning the Princeton Athletic Club has been fielding competitive teams, some more competitive than others, for each of the past 30 years. The team originally was a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union. However, in 1996, club members finally tiring of road matches to the nether regions of Pennsylvania; petitioned the Metropolitan New York Rugby Union for membership.  The application was accepted, and PAC has competed in the Met ever since.

Today the Princeton Athletic Club has over 100 members, both active players and less than active Old Boys who attend social functions and play in the occasional "over 35" match. The club has several certified coaches and referees on its roster.

In addition to competing in Rugby, the club has expanded its scope and has sponsored several fund raising events. Each February the club has an annual awards dinner, and since 1990 the club has held a Golf Outing, which is used to help raise money for local youth sports organizations.  In 1997, it started the annual Gentlemen of Leisure Pig Roast over the Memorial Day weekend. For more than ten years, the club has been hosting the annual New Jersey 7s Tournament, held every July, that has seen clubs from throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean attend. 


What's the deal with that tree, anyway?

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During the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington marched his troops across the Delaware River. On January 3, 1777, the American troops battled the British troops during the Battle of Princeton. 

During the battle, Hugh Mercer, a brigadier general in the Continental Army, was stabbed with an English solider's bayonet. It has been said that he was unwilling to abandon his troops, so he rested on the trunk of a tree while they stood their ground. The British soldiers eventually surrendered in Nassau Hall and this success helped improve American morale. 

The Mercer Oak stood tall for over 300 years until Mother Nature tore it down with strong winds in March 2000. Two months later, an 8-foot sapling, grown from an acorn of the original tree, was planted inside the stump of the former tree. 

The tree represents camaraderie, loyalty, success and absolute strength. There is no other image that could so clearly capture The Princeton Athletic Club Rugby Team. 


Where has PAC been? 

Significant Tours Taken:
1981: Hamilton, Bermuda
1983: Hamilton, Bermuda
1988: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
1990: Las Vegas, Nevada
1992: Missoula, Montana
1993: Savannah, Georgia
1994: Galveston, Texas
1996: Nassau, Bahamas
1997: San Antionio, Texas
1998: Missoula, Montana
2000: New Orleans, Louisiana 
2001: Limerick, Ireland
2007: Buenos Aires, Argentina
2008: Savannah, Georgia
2009: Missoula, Montana
2010: Las Vegas, Nevada
2011: Austin, Texas
2013: Virginia Beach, Virginia

1987-1990, 1992-2001: Can/Am Saranac Lake, New York
1991-1997: Washington, DC
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PAC at Limerick, Ireland, 2001
International Teams Hosted:
1980: Bridgend, Wales
1980: Surrey University, England
1983: Leeds University, England
1985: Oswestry, Wales
1991: Brackley, England
2000: Garryowen, Ireland
2000: Vintage Valley, Canada

What Has PAC Done?

Club Championships:
1981: Wood Cup, Champions
1986: Reading Greens, 4th Place
1986: Monmouth Cup, Winner Consolation Round
1987: Harrisburg 7's, 4th Place
1990: Hibernians 7's, 3rd Place
1991: Jersey Cup, Winner Consolation Round
1993: New York 7's, 3rd Place
1994: New York 7's, 3rd Place
1995: Harrisburg 7's Bowl Champions
1995: EPRU Division III Champions
1996: Harrisburg 7's Bowl Champions
1996: Hibernian 7's, 2nd Place
1997: Harrisburg 7's Bowl Champions
1997: Cape Fear 7's Bowl Champions
1997: Hibernian 7's, 2nd Place
1998: Hibernian 7's Bowl Champions
1998: Monmouth Cup, 3rd Place
1998: Met New York Division III Champions
1999: Landsdowne, 2nd Place Club
1999: 2nd City 7's Plate Champions
1999: NJ 7's Cup Plate Champions
2000: Hibernian 7's Club Champions
2001: North Penn 7's Premier Champions
2001: Potomac 7's Open Champions 
2003: NJ 7s Open Cup Champions
2005: NJ 7s Open Cup Champions
2010: NJ 7s Open Cup Champions
2012: 3rd Place – Division 2, Inaugural Empire GU
2012: NJ 7s Open Cup Champions
2012: NJ 7s Open Plate Champions
2012: Bryn Mawr 7s Cup Champions
2012: North Penn BodyArmor 7s Plate Champions
2012: U19 – NJ Division 2 State Champions
2013: Elite 8 – USA Rugby National D2
2013: Empire GU Champions – D2      
2013: Empire GU 7s Series Champions
2013: NJ 7s Open Cup Champions
2013: Rockaway 7s - Plate Champions
2013: JoJo Moore 7s - Cup 2nd Place
2013: Monmouth 7s - Cup 2nd Place
2013: Danbury 7s - Cup Champions
2013: HellGate 7s Club Plate Champions
2013: Boys H.S – NJ Division 1 State Runner-Up
2013: Boys H.S - Monmouth 7s Plate Champions
2013: Boys H.S - Monmouth 7s Bowl Champions

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • History
    • Media >
      • Awards & Trophies
      • Logos
      • News Clippings
      • Newsletters and Documents
      • Team Photos
      • Tours
  • PAC Women
  • Members
    • Join PAC Rugby
  • PAC Store
  • Foundation
  • FIELD
  • EGU Rugby