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Overview
The President of the United States Rugby Foundation, Brian Vizard, speaks with women's rugby pioneer Jami Jordan. From her playing days with Chesapeake Women's RFC to her crucial role in developing women's rugby globally, Jordan shares her remarkable journey. Learn about her impact as Chair of the USARFU Women's Committee, guiding the US women to the first Rugby World Cup in 1991, and her involvement in creating the first women's rugby world governing body. Hear insights on the growth of women's rugby and Jordan's experiences as a player, administrator, and USA Women's National Team manager in this inspiring episode.
Show Notes
1:15 - All right, and Jamie, as we do with all our honorees and inductees, tell us a bit about your upbringing. Where did you grow up? What sports did you play when you were a kid and in high school?
2:22 - After high school you attended Penn State University. You didn't play rugby at Penn State, but did you hear about the sport or watch any games while you're on campus?
3:33 - What made you join the Chesapeake Women's Rugby Football Club? How did that happen?
4:28 - You played with Chesapeake from 80 to 86. Tell us about your playing career. What positions did you play and what were your strongest playing attributes?
5:44 - While you were with Chesapeake, you became the club's match and social secretary. Did you realize at that time, hey, this is kind of fun, and I'm good at this. Or was it a different reaction?
6:44 - In 1986, you joined the Maryland Stingers. You played there through 1991. The Stingers are starting to make a name for themselves on the east coast. Around that time, what were some of your fondest memories or highlights from your playing days with the Stingers?
8:54 - While you were with the Stingers, you served on the Eastern Rugby Union board. How did that opportunity arise and what was your role or roles with the ERU?
10:38 - What were your roles with USARFU?
11:24 - You took over as chair of the women's committee and guided the USAA women's team to the first ever World cup in 1991. Now, I know there were a lot of obstacles for the team ahead of that event. Can you highlight a few of those and what was done to overcome those obstacles?
15:42 - You guys had great success in 91, right? First World cup winners ever. So congratulations on that. What are your highlights from the World Cup?
17:40 - 1991, a busy year for you, as you also oversaw the creation the first USA women's collegiate championship division. What inspired the creation of that division? And were there more obstacles in getting that competition off the ground?
20:37 - Do you think the success of the 91 women's team had a lot to do with that collegiate tournament being pulled off?
21:33 - During the second women's Rugby World cup in Scotland in 1994, administrators from the US, England, and other competing nations met to form the first worldwide women's organization. The IRB incorporated the group and named it the IRB Women's Advisory Committee. You were on that committee from 94 to 2002. Did you enjoy that experience? And what were some of the accomplishments of the Women's advisory committee while you served on it?
24:06 - The Eagles had great success at those two first Women's World cup, winning the gold in 91, taking silver in 1994, past Eagle Barb Fugate said in your nomination to the hall, the World cup gold and silver medals won by the United States in 1991 and 1994 would never have been a reality without Jamie's national and international leadership. Now, that's. That's pretty powerful stuff, Jamie. That's got to make you feel pretty good.
26:23 - Jamie, you stayed involved with the us women's national team in various roles from 2002 before stepping away from rugby leadership roles in 2004. What were some of your duties during this last run with the national team?
29:01 - What does it mean to you that the women's game has come so far and that you played such a large role in making that happen?
31:00 - Congratulations. You've done so much for the women's game. Now, of all your rugby memories and accomplishments, is there one or two that stand above the rest?
32:05 - Looking back on your rugby career, what are you most proud of?
33:03 - What does being selected to the US Rugby hall of Fame mean to you?
Wrap Up
The episode covered Jami Jordan, a trailblazer in women's rugby, both as a player and administrator. Her leadership roles in USA Rugby and on the international stage were instrumental in developing women's rugby globally, including guiding the US team to the first Women's Rugby World Cup and helping establish the sport's first global women's governing body. Jordan's contributions span over two decades, making her a pivotal figure in the growth and recognition of women's rugby.
