Jeff Lombard
1984
Sweeney Award
2015
Inductee
Jeff Lombard was born and raised in Wenatchee, WA. He played football at Wenatchee Jr. College before joining the Army National Guard. While serving the Guard, Jeff enrolled at Western Washington State College in 1969. It was at WWSC that Jeff was introduced to rugby.
Jeff joined the Chuckanut Bay Rugby Club (CBAA) in Bellingham, WA in 1974. CBAA competed in the Fraser Valley R.F.U. in British Columbia where he distinguished himself as a representative player, as well as representing the Washington State Ravens, Pacific N.W. Loggers and Pacific Coast Grizzlies.
In 1977, Jeff made his debut for the USA Eagles and represented the USARFU in its first international test match against Canada. Later that year, Jeff was a member of the USARFU’s first international tour as the Eagles, with Jeff in the lineup faced an England XV at Twickenham to earn his second cap. In 1978 was part of a U.S. Cougars contingent that traveled to South Africa and Rhodesia on a USA development tour. He received his third and final cap against Canada in 1979 in Toronto.
In 1980, Jeff started International Athletic, a sporting goods company serving the rugby market in both the United States and Canada and manufacture custom canvas sport bags.
in 2015 Jeff celebrated 33 year of marriage with his wife Dee Dee, they produced two wonderful children John Cooper and Taylor Louse.
In 1984 Jeff received the distinction of becoming the first U.S. Eagle player to manage the United States National Team. He took the first Eagle tour to Japan in 1985 as well as the first Jr. Eagles squad to Europe in 1985. He was appointed manager of the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup squad to Australia and New Zealand. He served on the USA Rugby board of directors from 1984-1987 and was honored with the Craig Sweeney Award in 1984. In 1988 he managed the Eagle 7's team to the Hong Kong 7's, where they won the plate competition.
Following his career with the U.S. National Team program as a player, director and manager, he continued to contribute to his territorial, sub unions and club level in many capacities. He managed Team America (today known as the Classic Eagles) for 20 years from 1988 to 2008. He finds it an honor to serve the great sport of rugby whenever possible. Jeff currently coaches the men's rugby program at Western Washington University located in Bellingham, WA.