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Overview
This week on the With You! Rugby Podcast, the President of the United States Rugby Foundation, Brian Vizard, spoke with former Eagles great, Gary Hein. Gary is a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2022, inducted on July 15, 2022.Gary grew up west of Los Angeles and played many sports in his youth, including football, basketball, and track and field. He got a scholarship to play football at Cal, where he discovered rugby. After he graduated from Cal, Gary went to Oxford to pursue his law degree, where he continued to play rugby. Throughout his rugby career, Gary also played for the Old Blues and the USA Eagles, participating in the first two XVs Rugby World Cups and the first 7s Rugby World Cup.After Gary’s playing days, he coached rugby at Cal before getting involved with Lamorinda Rugby Club’s Youth and Highschool division in northern California.
Show Notes
0:25 – Brian introduces Gary Hein, a former Eagles great with a storied rugby career.
1:09 – Can you tell us about where you grew up and the sports you played as a kid?
2:16 – How did you get involved in rugby?
4:39 – What were the national championships like with the Bears?
7:36 – What makes Cal rugby such a powerhouse year in and year out?
8:33 – Tell us about your time playing rugby at Oxford and share some of the highlights from your experience overseas.
10:41 – Tell us about the situation from your Oxford varsity match that led to the world-famous Sports Illustrated photograph.
11:53 – What was it like coming back to the U.S. and playing for the Old Blues?
13:13 – What’s a fond memory from the first Rugby World Cup?
15:35 – What are some highlights from the 1991 World Cup in England?
16:59 – What are a few of your favorite memories outside of the World Cups?
18:45 – What do you remember about the first 7s Rugby World Cup in Scotland?
20:37 – Did you prefer 15s or 7s?
21:20 – Which winger was the most difficult you ever played against, and why?
22:43 – What was the best team you ever faced?
25:38 – Who are two or three teammates you really enjoyed playing with and why?
27:06 – What has been the most rewarding aspect of coaching and working with youth?
28:42 – Out of all your rugby memories, is there one that stands out above the rest?
31:16 – Out of all your tours, what was your favorite and why?
33:39 – Looking back on your rugby career, what are you most proud of?
34:25 – What does it mean to you to be inducted into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame?
Wrap Up
In this episode of the With You! Rugby Podcast, we heard from Gary Hein, a former Eagles great with an impressive rugby career. Gary played in several World Cups with both the Eagles 7s and 15s, and he has 29 caps with the 7s. He now gives back to the rugby community by coaching and working with youth through the Lamorinda Rugby Club.
