Full name The Chicago Griffins Ground(s) Riis Park Stadium Coach(es) Greg Doolan Founded 1973 | Nickname(s) Griffins, Griffs President Charlie Jacobson Captain(s) Eric Jacobson Union USA Rugby | |
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The Chicago Griffins RFC rugby union team was founded in 1973. The team competes in the National Division I Midwest League, USA Rugby's top tier, after the demise of the USA Super League and play their home games at Riis Park in Chicago, Illinois, US.
Contents
History
The Chicago Griffins was founded in 1973 by the late Bob "Doc" Kelly along with Brian Bourke, Mike Elliot, John Carmody, Rick Grigutis, and Tom Powers. The Griffins would not exist today had it not been for these players.
Sponsorship
Notable primary sponsors include Founders Brewery, Wells Street Crossfit, Edgewater Athletic Club, Athletico Physical Therapy, Black Rock Pub, Belvedere Trading, Torrey and Gray, USA Voice and Data and Arcoa.
2015/16 Season
The Chicago Griffins finished fourth in the regular season but beat top seeds the Chicago Lions in the semi finals of the Midwest Championship. The Griffins lost the Midwest Championship final by two points to Metropolis 29-27.
In finishing Runners Up the club qualified for the 2016/17 Gold Cup, a competition played between some of USA Rugby's elite rugby clubs, including current National Champions Mystic River, National Champion Runners Up the Austin Blacks and National Championship Final 8 teams Dallas reds, Rocky Gorge and Metropolis..
Midwest League National Division 1 2015-16 Season
Rugby 7's
Chicago Griffins Men's Sevens
The Chicago Griffins Men's Sevens yearly participate in the Midwest Men's 7's national qualifiers.
Chicago Griffins Women's Sevens
In 2016 the Chicago Griffin's formed their first Women's Sevens team. The team was an instant success, winning both the Iowa City Ducks' Sevens tournament and the Grand Rapids Hard Rock Sevens tournament before taking out the Midwest Sevens Championship.
In doing so the team won one of 16 places in the 2016 Club Sevens National Championship held in Denver in August 2016. The Chicago Griffins Women's Sevens team took out the Shield trophy at the National Championship
Current 1st XV squad
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.