Princeton Athletic Club: History
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 Tournamnet, held every July, that has seen clubs from throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean attend.
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 Tournamnet, 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?
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.
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 
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 |
