Jay Waldron

Jay Waldron’s rugby career spans nearly five decades and across both coasts of the United States. He began his rugby career in 1968 at the University of Virginia as a graduate student. He continued playing for Virginia until graduating from law school in 1974. Waldron served as president and captain of Virginia. Then he played for the Portland RFC on the West Coast through 1984. He continued playing for the Portland Old Boars and the Owls until 1998. He began as a #8, but eventually played every position in the scrum but hooker.

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Waldron played on various representative sides including the Eastern Rugby Union President’s XVs in 1970, the Potomac Union Representative Side in the early 70s, and Pacific NW Union Rep Side in the mid-to-late 70s. He also played in the ERU Possibles-Probables match with the hope of playing against the touring New Zealand All Blacks in 1974. He was a part of four playing tours during the 70s to destinations that included Great Britain, Ireland, and New Zealand.

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Waldron coached the Portland RFC, the Pacific NW Rep Side, and the Pacific Coast Jr. and Sr. Rep Sides, winning several championships along the way. His administrative and leadership positions include 30 years as a Director/Trustee of the U.S. Rugby Foundation. Waldron also served on the Board of Directors of the Eastern Rugby Union, as Chair of the Pacific Coast Coaching Committee, president of UVA and Portland Rugby Clubs and the Rugby Commissioner of the Nike World Masters Games. He also served as a rugby broadcast commentator and analyst covering matches between the U.S. and international opponents, including Japan and France. Waldron has dedicated much of his time to advancing the sport across the United States.

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Waldron has been recognized for his professional accomplishments as an attorney for Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt. He has distinguished himself as a trial and appellate lawyer in the areas of the environmental and energy law, winning several multi-million dollar cases. Waldron has made appearances before the U.S. Supreme Court, been named as an Oregon Super Lawyer and a Best Lawyers in the United States. He has served as President of the Port of Portland, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Oregon Health and Sciences University, and member of the Board of Trustees at Lewis & Clark College. Oregon Governors have turned to Jay when they needed someone to get a job done.

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In addition to rugby, Waldron has been a triathlete and a university boxing champion. He has taken adventure motorcycle and rafting trips on six continents. Waldron has been married to his wife Karen for 48 years. They have a son, Shane, who coaches for the Los Angeles Rams.

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Waldron embodies all the characteristics that define the rich and influential rugby culture that have paved the way for the future of rugby.