Berkeley, Calif. - Frank Mattarocci, a former captain of California rugby who also played football for the blue and gold before graduating from the University in 1958, passed away peacefully on January 13 at the age of 81. 

"Sometimes the phase 'larger than life' is overused, but not with a description of Frank Mattarocci," said rugby head coach Jack Clark. "He is one of the all-time great characters of Cal rugby and football, and a true trailblazer of California rugby."

Born in in Lime, Colo., on November 8, 1931, Mattaroci arrived in Berkeley as a transfer student from San Diego Junior College after serving his country in the Korean conflict, during which he received a Navy commendation for saving the lives of three shipmates aboard the USS Boxer. Mattarocci continued his athletic career as a two-sport student-athlete for the Golden Bears, having earned MVP honors on the gridiron in junior college, and became a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity at the University.

Mattarocci played rugby at Cal under coach Miles "Doc" Hudson and was part of a memorable Bears roster in 1957-58 that included John Harrison, former All Black Pat Vincent, Bob Brooks, Ron Currie, Bob Chiappone, Jim Cullom, Tom Trutner, Dick Moneymaker, Jack Hart, Tom Fraser and Clark's future Cal football coach, Mike White, among others. As a football player he received the team's Brick Muller Outstanding Lineman Award and Andy Smith Award for most Big C playing time in 1956 and the Iron Man Football Award. Following his Cal career, Mattaroci gave back to the game in abundance, not the least through his contributions to the growth of rugby in the San Diego area.

"Frank was an important part of Cal's San Diego alumni group," Clark said. "He was a big, barrel-chested man in flip flops and a 365 tan, but most importantly, he was a leader."

Mattarocci is survived by three children - Sherilyn Haug of St. Charles, Mo., Marcia Shields of San Diego and Michael Mattarocci of Austin, Texas.

The Cal rugby family extends its condolences to all the friends and family of this great Golden Bear.

Mother Nature is giving the USA 7s a hand as the venue, Sam Boys Stadium, prepares for the big tournament February 8-10 (go to www.usasevens.com for more).

The grass has been installed at Sam Boyd (which is usually artificial turf), and on January 24 the rains came to the desert. A little rain will help the sod establish itself and strengthen. 

Sixteen teams are slated to play in the USA 7s this February. In addition, five championship matches from the associated Las Vegas Invitational, the Men's Elite, Women's Elite, HS Elite, Men's Aces and College competitions will all see their final played before the crowd in Sam Boyd Stadium.

The Indiana Youth Rugby Foundation has raised $1.2 million toward building a five-field rugby complex according to a story done by the Indianapolis Business Journal. They are seeking another $500,000 in funds before breaking ground (they hope this spring) on the project, which is expected to cost a total of $4.7 million.

The 26-acre site of the proposed complex is an old drive-in theater. The plans include a a two-story, 18,000-square-foot community center with a large outdoor deck, locker rooms and showers, well as a talking trail and open-air shelters.

The land will be donated if the IYRF can secure the funds, and Kohl's and a local restaurant have agreed to sponsor the venture.

Youth rugby programs got a little notice in the Boston Globe this weekend, as writer Martine Powers explores the program exposing the game to South Boston 6th-graders.

The Globe attended the first Middle School tournament for the region, hosted by the Massachusetts Youth Rugby Organization, and noted how rugby is being taken up by a variety of schools, including those from less affluent areas. This is part of the evolution of the game in recent years, as coaches have succeeded in accomplishing rugby outreach in financially-strapped areas.

“We’re in the infantile stages of bringing this sport to the youth of Massachusetts,” David Colli, marketing and fund-raising chairman for the Massachusetts Youth Rugby Organization about the Boston program, told the Globe. “And these guys are really pioneers and trailblazers.”

See the full article here.