At HBS in the fall of 1963, two enterprising Scots knew that six days of class and the dreaded WAC (Written Analysis of Cases) was not a healthy lifestyle. The HARBUS sports page was running articles on softball, bowling and ping-pong. To that pathetic mix, Jim Johnstone ´65 and Morris McInnes ´65 brought rugby to the playing fields of Harvard Business School.
Through advertisements, coercion and the promise of female spectators, the first contingent of 40 or so interested men began to train at Soldiers Field. Despite the negative advice of the HBS Dean of Students and an attempt to merge the HBS side with the Harvard College side by force, Jim and Morris persevered. The spring 1964 record of 5-2-1 was the harbinger of a glorious tradition of Eastern rugby strength, melding American athletes with the rugby culture of international players. The current student team continues that history of success with a full slate of games each semester, and recent success at the MBA championship.
An Old Boys touring side formally began with a trip to the Freeport Bahamas Easter Festival in 1978. In 2007, the Old Boys traveled to the World Cup Rugby frenzy in France and completed their 30th annual tour with 2 matches in Provence. In 2008, Grand Cayman Island was the scene for rugby plays and stingrays. Other HBS ruggers have also toured the globe and play for various local sides throughout the world.
Rugby is the only competitive, extramural team sport at HBS and over 1300 students have trod the pitch wearing some combination of crimson and white. The October Columbus Day weekend at HBS is an annual gathering of all rugby alumni and current students to celebrate a tradition and renew a bond that few others have had at HBS.
Enjoy the rugby legacy of sport, family and camaraderie with us at www.hbsrugby.org.
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