R.J. NEARY

R.J. Neary first played rugby for St Benedict’s RFC at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas between 1971-‘73.  In the fall of 1973 he transferred to UNL and was a founding member of UNL RFC. He played flyhalf from 1973-‘75 as well as wore various hats such as captain, scheduler and jersey washer. He was the main recruiter and helped form the initial core of UNL ruggers including Mark Higgins, Mike Potter, Vince Powers, Jack Neary, Steve Brewster to name a few.  R.J. gained quickly gained popularity with the club as he was the campus representative for Schlitz Malt Liquor which eventually led to Jim Nabb and Nebraska Distributing sponsoring UNL RFC.

Travel in those years consisted of a private car, gas money, chips and beef sticks. Every fall, the squad participated in the Heart of America Tournament in Kansas City and then the Big 8 tournament in the spring. They also competed annually in the Omaha St. Patrick’s Day Tourney.  The first “major” team road trip outside of the Midwest was to play in the Mardi Gras tournament in New Orleans during the winter of 1976.

After Lincoln, he went on to play for the Omaha Rugby Club, and then branched off to start the GOATS in 1978. That squad would win the inaugural OKOBOJI Rugby tournament.  They also traveled to Austin in an RV in 1980 which RJ recalls as being a “highlight” from that era.

Once his playing days were over, he coached the GOATS for four years as he previously garnered coaching experience by assisting the UNL women’s rugby club.  He was involved in bringing the Puni Panthers from New Zealand for a game to Omaha, and hosted a coach’s clinic with Bill Freeman, the opposing Kiwi coach who was also given a personal tour of Huskers’ weight room and was in awe.  

Early in life he realized he was “unemployable” so he has mostly worked for himself. R.J. started the Howard Street Tavern in the Old Market and has been a partner in Investors Realty, a commercial real estate firm for nearly 35 years.  He also claimed to be a “dam good referee” when he was needed.

Neary lives in Omaha and has been married to his wife Liz for 38 years.  The couple has two daughters, a son- in-law and, the couple’s first granddaughter, Ginny.