LAFAYETTE, Colo. – USA Rugby Trust and the U.S. Rugby Foundation have today announced a joint Hall of Fame Induction Dinner to take place on Friday, June 30, before the Men’s Eagles Rugby World Cup Qualifier against Canada. The two organizations share similar strategies to grow rugby across the country and will join in San Diego with the potential to further their partnership in the future.

The U.S. Rugby Foundation recently named its Rugby Hall of Fame Class of 2017 in March, which included nine individuals and the 1991 Women’s Eagles, winners of the Women’s Rugby World Cup. USA Rugby’s General Manager for the Men’s Eagles Dave Hodges, a former Eagle who surpassed 50 caps in his 8-year international career, was also elected to the Class of 2017.

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“I’m personally very happy our organizations are working together on this event and I’m confident it will be a partnership we can build on moving forward that will, collectively, assist in growing the game in our country,” said USA Rugby CEO Dan Payne. “From a symbolic perspective this serves as an illustration of what we all need to work to do on a more frequent basis across our country; partner, align and work toward growing our game together.”

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Individual seats at the dinner can be purchased for $200 and a table for 10 can be purchased for $1,750, while individual student (18 years old and younger) registration can be purchased for $100. A portion of individual and table purchases will be considered tax deductible. The registration form can be found online here.

U.S. Rugby Foundation Executive Director Brian Vizard said: “The Foundation is looking forward to collaborating with USA Rugby and the USA Rugby Trust on this year’s U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. All three organizations want to grow youth rugby and see more kids playing the game as they are the future of our sport. Coming together on the Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will hopefully be the first of many cooperative ventures in the years to come. It’s another outstanding group of inductees this year and I hope the rugby community will come out in force to help us honor the Class of 2017.”

The Men’s Eagles will face Canada at Torero Stadium July 1 in the second leg of their Rugby World Cup Qualifier. The Men’s Eagles will need to outscore their northern rivals over the course of two matches in order to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Fans interested in joining the Hall of Fame dinner at the Mission Valley Marriott can register by clicking here.

The U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame and its Foundation is a 501 c 2 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of U.S. Rugby; supporting the development of the game by funding programs for youth, high school, and collegiate rugby; and individual player development programs.