Gary Lambert
2018
Inductee
Gary Lambert attended Life College (now University) in Marietta, Georgia where he was a member, captain, and player-coach of the collegiate powerhouse Life Rugby Club from 1983-1988. Lambert called White Plains Rugby Football Club home from its inaugural season in 1972 to 1997. He played for several representative teams including Met New York 1977-1997 and the Georgia Select Sides from 1983-1988.
Gary was a mainstay on the Eastern Rugby Union team for many years and toured with the ERU to several global destinations from 1981-1991. It was through his play with the ERU that he drew the interests of U.S. National Team Selectors. He made his first of 18 appearances for the U.S. Eagles XVs team against Canada in June of 1981. Among his 18 tests was the match against the touring South African Springboks in 81.
Lambert was one of the best sevens players this country has ever seen combining power, pace and skills and played for the Eagles 7s team from 1982-91. He played in the prestigious Hong Kong 7s Tournament on eight occasions. Gary also played professionally from 1991-1994 for the U.S.A. Patriots rugby league team.
After he retired from international play, Gary was selected for two World XVs teams. The first, in 1982, was an unofficial World side that toured South Africa. The latter, in 1988 was with an official World XVs team that toured Australia during that country’s Bicentennial.
“Lambo was by far the best loose forward we have ever had,” said Mark Gaetjen, a former U.S.A. 7s and ERU teammate. “He was the most physically imposing player, was outstanding in loose play and had great leadership skills. He was feared by his opponents and had great ball skills for a man of his stature. He was so committed to winning and teamwork, and to me that was what made him one of the greatest players I had the privilege to ever play with, “
In addition to playing, Lambert enjoyed small stints as a player-coach for nearly all his career, including for the Kalispell Moose Rugby Football Club from 1997-2003 and coach for the St. Louis Bombers Women's Rugby team in 2006. Lambert would continue to make an impact in the rugby world as a member of the U.S.A. U-19 Medical Team that traveled to the 2007 World Championships in Ireland and went on tour to Ghana. Gary has dedicated the past 20 years to promoting the sport of amateur rugby in prep schools and high schools and has served as a mentor and camp coach to many.
Today, Lambert continues to operate a successful chiropractic practice and spend time with his family, which includes eight children ranging in age from 1-30 years old.