Fred Alexander

When you think of the Golden Oldies Rugby community in the United States, you can’t help but think of Fred Alexander. In 1991, Fred founded the Colorado Senior Old Boys/Colorado Ol’Pokes out of Denver, Colorado. With the Colorado Senior Old Boys, he served as captain from the club’s inception until 2010, when he transitioned to the role of coach. Alexander still serves as coach and president emeritus to this date. Involvement with the Colorado Senior Old Boys was a family affair, as Fred and his wife, Earnie, also served as the club’s tour managers from 1991 to 2016.

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His multifaceted experience in managing the Colorado Senior Old Boys propelled him to become invited to serve as the USA Representative by the Golden Oldies Rugby organization. He organized Golden Oldies Rugby festivals all over the globe and helped ruggers remain involved in the sport they love by promoting an everlasting community. Fred was a driving force behind the successful 2020 bid to host the Golden Oldies Rugby Festival in Denver, Colorado. Unfortunately, the tournament was interrupted due to the global pandemic, but Alexander’s passion and dedication to the game, as tournament chair, could not go unnoticed.

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“As an ambassador for rugby and especially rugby in the USA, Fred has been a standout. Golden Oldies Rugby may not get the headlines that the game reserves for its elite internationals and World Cups, but the ethos of Golden Oldies Rugby of ‘Fun, Friendship and Fraternity’ reflects the inclusiveness of Rugby, the enduring spirit of the game that we all over the world embrace. For Fred as an American to be a leader in the world Golden Oldies Rugby community brings reputation and standing to Rugby USA,” said Mike Godinet.

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Alexander’s impact on the sport has not only been felt on a global scale, but most importantly in the Colorado rugby community. Alexander founded the Lamar Dust Devils in Lamar, Colorado in 1987. He played and served as president of the club until 1997. He also played for the Denver Barbarians (1969-1989) and served as scrum captain in 1968. Most notably, Alexander became involved in the Eastern Rockies Rugby Football Union as a club administrator in 1968. In 1999, he was inducted into the Eastern Rockies Rugby Football Union Hall of Fame.

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“Changing the UK for the US, I believed that my 20-year rugby fun (career) was over. Instead, I found the CSOB. Fred’s passion rubbed off on me and many other non-USA citizens. Almost 20 years later I am a level 300 coach, a Highlands Ranch TRY rugby coach, teaching kids how to love the game and the CSOB President to continue the great work Fred has done for Old Boys Rugby in Colorado,” said teammate, Paul Ijs.