Robbie Bordley

Robinson M. Bordley (born c. 1947) is an American former rugby union player who played as a fly-half and fullback for the United States men's national team. He served as captain of the national team in its first two modern-era test matches in 1976.

Robbie Bordley
Full nameRobinson M. Bordley
Date of birthc. 1947
SchoolLandon School
UniversityPrinceton University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half
Fullback
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1970–c. 1985 Washington RFC ()
Correct as of April 16, 2019
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1976–1978 United States 5 (0)
Correct as of April 16, 2019

Early life and club rugby career

Bordley was born circa 1947,[1] the eldest son of Robert Austin Joseph Bordley and Martha Ann Bordley (born Robinson).[2] Bordley attended Landon School, graduating in 1966.[3] During his time as a student at Landon, Bordley was a multi-sport athlete and earned 17 varsity letters.[4] Bordley then attended Princeton University, where he was a member of the university's football and lacrosse teams, earning all-Ivy League honors in each sport.[3] Bordley played at wide receiver for the football team and also returned punts and kicks.[4][5] Bordley graduated from Princeton in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.[2][5]

After graduating from Princeton, Bordley joined the Washington Rugby Football Club (RFC) in 1970 and played with the team for more than a decade.[3][5] During his time with Washington RFC, Bordley served as team captain, and was also selected for and captained representative teams with the Potomac Rugby Union and Eastern Rugby Union (ERU).[5] In 1976, Bordley joined the ERU All Stars on a tour of South Africa.[5] The following year, he returned to South Africa to play for an invitational international all star team at the then-newly renovated Loftus Versfeld Stadium.[5] During his tenure with Washington RFC and the United States men's national team (see section below), Bordley studied at American University and earned a master's degree in history.[5]

International rugby career

Bordley made his debut for the United States men's national team (Eagles) on January 31, 1976, starting at fly-half and serving as captain, in the Eagles' 24–12 defeat to Australia.[6] Bordley served as the Eagles' captain during this match and in a June 1976 match (in which he started at fullback[7]) against France—the Eagles' first two test matches of the modern-era.[8] Bordley made three additional test match appearances representing the United States through 1978, but he did not score during his five match career with the team.[1]

Professional career

In 1970, Bordley joined the faculty at Landon School.[3] In 1975, Bordley became the head coach of the school's boys' lacrosse team.[3][9] Over the course of 42 seasons,[3] Bordley led the team to a total of 655 victories, making him the fifth winningest coach in United States high school boys' lacrosse history, as of April 2019.[10] After the conclusion of the 2017–18 school year, Bordley retired from his head coaching and full-time teaching positions.[3][11] While at the school, Bordley also coached junior-varsity soccer[4] and worked as offensive coordinator of the varsity football team.[5]

Personal life and honors

Bordley married his wife, Donna, in 1977.[5] Together they have three children: John Robinson "J.R.", Austin, and Claire, all of whom have played lacrosse at the collegiate level.[2][5]

Over the course of his life, Bordley has received numerous awards and honors. He was inducted into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame in 2013[12] and the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame (Potomac Chapter) in 2004.[13] He has also been nominated for membership in the U.S. Lacrosse National Hall of Fame.[5] On September 13, 2003, Landon School dedicated and named Robinson M. Bordley Stadium in his honor.[4]

References

  1. "Robbie Bordley". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  2. Casey, Patrick. "Robinson 'Robbie' M Bordley". The Rugby History Society. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  3. Logue, Brian (November 12, 2017). "Landon's Bordley Stepping Down After 2018 Season". US Lacrosse Magazine. US Lacrosse. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  4. Jaffe, Harry (October 1, 2003). "From the Archives: "Our Sons Have Something To Say"". Washingtonian. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  5. "Robinson Bordley 1947-". USRugbyHallofFame.org. United States Rugby Football Foundation. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  6. "Australia Tour - Los Angeles, 31 January 1976". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  7. "France Tour - Chicago, 12 June 1976". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  8. "USRFF Hall of Fame 2013 Inductees Announced". USA Rugby. March 19, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  9. Loveday, Mike. "Rob Bordley Coaching Record". LaxRecords.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  10. Loveday, Mike (November 2, 2018). "All-Time Winningest High School Coaches". LaxRecords.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  11. "Celebrating Rob Bordley '66". Landon School. 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  12. "USRFF Hall of Fame 2013 Inductees Announced". USA Rugby. March 19, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  13. "Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductees". Landon School. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
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