1997-98 University of Victoria Men’s Rugby Men’s Roster | NAME |
| Eliot Anderson |
| Mike Armstrong |
| Pat Bickerton |
| Karl Blattman |
| Marcus Blumensaat |
| Mike Dewit |
| Sean Dixon |
| Rob Dixon |
| Richard Farkas |
| Cameron Fulton |
| Andrew Hall |
| Trevor Hammond |
| Trevor Hinds |
| Martin Jones |
| Andrew Lauchlan |
| Mark Lawson |
| Richard Lockwood |
| Chris Lonsdale |
| Brad Major |
| Scott McIlmoyle |
| Phil Murphy |
| Brad Skene |
| Mike Smith |
| Kelly Steadman |
| Aiko Tyler |
| Dan Tutt |
| Darell Underwood |
| Tim van Vliet |
| Phil Webb |
| Jonathan Wray |
| Harold Williams |
Doug Tate (Head Coach)
Rick Suggit (Assistant Coach)
Brad Eyeford (Trainer)
Lindsay Close (Trainer)
Biography For a couple years the University of Victoria men’s rugby team has pushed for a Canadian university men’s rugby championship. The 1997-98 season marked the inaugural championship tournament hosted by UVic Vikes.
During the summer season, many Vikes represented British Columbia at the Canada Summer Games in August.
Mike Armstrong, Pat Bickerton, Trevor Hammond, Darell Underwood and
Phil Webb helped Team BC go undefeated throughout the entire tournament and capture the gold medal.
Vikes varsity head coach
Doug Tate welcomes back many members of the 1996-97 team who defeated two prestigious Irish rugby clubs, Old Wesley RFC and Landsdowne RFC, during their Ireland tour last season.
Eliot Anderson, Richard Farkas, Andrew Lauchlan, Brad Major, Scott McIlmoyle, Tim van Vliet and Armstrong all return to the 1997 line-up. Tate also welcomes key recruits,
Dean Parchomchuk, Jonathan Wray, Mark Lawson, Karl Blattman and
Sean Dixon to the UVic rugby program. All five recruits received the Brian Williams Memorial Scholarship Award.
Lawson, as well as Underwood, Bickerton and Armstrong were currently members of the U19 Canadian national team, providing the Vikes with key international experience.
With the addition of the Canadian university rugby national championships, the varsity season became very busy for the 1997 Vikes. The regular season included multiple games against local Vancouver Island Division 1 teams, university teams, as well as some over the border games. Leading up to nationals, UVic highlights comprised of defeating BC rivals, University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 30-16, University of Berkley California 31-21 and University of California, Davis (U.C Davis) 49-29.
The 1997 Canadian university rugby national championship was hosted by the Vikes at Centennial Stadium. Four teams advanced to the semifinals, UBC, University of Alberta, McGill University and UVic. In the first of two semifinal games, UBC defeated Alberta 43-6. In similar fashion, the Vikes overpowered McGill 68-6, advancing UVic to the finals against UBC. However, this was more than just another gold medal game for the two schools. The life-long rivalry between the two powerhouse schools would earn not only the title of the first university championship title, but also ultimate bragging rights as the best school in the country.
For the hometown favorites, the game was a complete team effort. Points accumulated from van Vliet, Hammond, Lachlan,
Phil Murphy and Mike Dewitt. Farkas led the Vikes with eight points and four conversions. The Vikes consistent determination and teamwork guided them to a 33-6 victory over UBC and the first Canadian university rugby championship title.
Season Summary Canadian University Rugby Championship: GOLD (1
st)
- Semifinals: UVic 68 v. McGill 6
- Finals: UVic 33 v. UBC 6
