USA
The early years - the original XV
When Terry Curtler departed from Richmond RFC and started James River RFC, he went on a recruiting campaign. He was teaching at Manchester High School at the time so he selected the Graduation party to recruit from.
From the Manchester High School class of '69 came Bobby Norman, Larry Sexton, and Greg Franz. Recruited from a favorite watering hole called the Raleigh House were Meadowbrook High School graduates Gordon Lipscomb, John Tuttle, Tom Tuttle, Bob Dagenhardt, Herb Condrey, and Greg Hoffman.
The remaining members of the original XV were Wayne O'Brian, Stanley Curtis, Nonney Hall, George Mason, Pete Evans, and Terry Curtler.
The first game - July 12, 1969
On July 12, 1969, James River RFC walked onto the pitch for the very first time. The opponent that day was Old Dominion RFC.
ODU scored two early kicks to James River's one to lead at the half 6 - 3. James River came back in the second half and scored one try, then worth only 3 points, and the conversion to win their first game ever 8 - 6.
At the party following the game, several 'River players, one in particular, took it upon themselves to do severe damage to the ODU party house for which several letters were written back and forth between ODU, Curtler, and Ed Lee, Secretary of the VRU. One players was suspended from the club and required to pay damages.
After the first game with ODU, James River traveled to Qantico Marine Base the next five Wednesday nights to play sevens against teams from Washington RFC, Richmond RFC, and Quantico RFC.
Fall 1969
Not able to schedule regular matches yet, James River took part in four scrimmages against rugby clubs from University of Virginia, Virginia Military Institute, Washington & Lee and Hampton Sydney. Still 'River continued to be active in recruiting adding Gary Goodman, Al Farable, Wayne Haden, Rick Condrey, Bill Conety, Don Gallagher, Lindsey Farren to the club.
In November of 1969, while home on college break from Chowan Junior College, Bobby Dagenhardt, one of James River's original XV was electrocuted when he was trying to cut down a wire from an abandon house.
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James River
Select Side Players |
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| Tom Barksdale | VRU, 1980 - 81 |
| Terry Byrd | VRU, 1975 - 81 |
| Ken Byrd | VRU, 1974, 1976, 1978-80 |
| David Coaker | VRU, 1976 |
| Herbie Condrey | VRU, 1973 |
| John Daffron | VRU, 1981 |
| Dolph Davis | VRU, 1981 |
| Rennie DiLoreto | VRU, |
| Ted Dinch | VRU, 1994 |
| Todd Edwards | VRU, 1994 - 95, 1997 |
| Bill Farmer | VRU, 1980 - 81 |
| Pat Flippen | VRU, 1981 |
| Linton Farmer | VRU, 1977, 1980-81 |
| Bubba Floyd | VRU, 1975 - 81 |
| Jason Foresman | VRU, 2004 MARFU, 2005 |
| Steve Grainger | VRU, 1975 - 76 |
| Bubba Green | VRU, 1973, 1980 |
| Phil Green | VRU, 1979, 1981 |
| Wade Hairfield | VRU, 1981 |
| Brent Harwood | VRU, 1994 - 95 |
| David Howard | VRU, 1976 - 77, 1981 |
| Kevin Kilgore | VRU, |
| Glen Miller | VRU, 1976 - 77 |
| Howard Skelton | VRU, 1976 |
| Jason 'Flake' Smith | VRU, 2004 |
| Bill Stevens | VRU, 1977 |
| Robb Sultzerr | VRU, 1980 - 81 |
| Davis Theakston | VRU |
| Joe Thomas | VRU, 1978 - 81 |
| Jack Totty | VRU, 1979 - 81 |
| Mike Toney | VRU, 1980 - 81 |
| Lance Van de Castle | VRU, 1980 - 81 ERU, 1980 |
| Billy Wallace | VRU, 2004 |
| David Williams | VRU, 1976 |
James River RFC
P.O. Box 185
Hanover, VA 23069
USA
804-467-9744
