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
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1976–1978 United States 5 (0)
Correct as of April 16, 2019

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.

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, 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. 1 2 "Robbie Bordley". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 Casey, Patrick. "Robinson 'Robbie' M Bordley". The Rugby History Society. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Logue, Brian (November 12, 2017). "Landon's Bordley Stepping Down After 2018 Season". US Lacrosse Magazine. US Lacrosse. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Jaffe, Harry (October 1, 2003). "From the Archives: "Our Sons Have Something To Say"". Washingtonian. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "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 (August 14, 2015). "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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