MATT TUPPER

Matt Tupper began his rugby playing career with UNL in 1989 – ’91 and started as a hard-hitting, undersized flanker.  His tenacity and in-game decision making made a natural scrumhalf so he eventually switched to that position.  

His nickname “Rat” was given to him by former Millard South classmate and fellow UNL rugger, Paul Riddle.  He recalls the reaction of a former teammate of two years who looked around in confusion and shock when someone called out “Hey Matt!” as he had no idea of his real name.  

A few teammates may have also called him “Barricade Man” after an incident post-Husker football game where Matt became separated from the group but continued his journey to that party happening at the “rugby queen’s house” on 33rd and Dudley Street.   Along the way while walking through the neighborhoods, it suddenly seemed like a good idea to pick up a barricade and start carrying it to the rugby party.  He walked by a house with a couple of guys sitting in front drinking beer.  They yelled “Hey Barricade Man, want to have a beer?”  

Matt was thirsty, so of course he stopped. After the free beverage, he continued to the party, and while crossing 27th street, avoided all traffic just like a game of Frogger. BUT, the officer did not miss his antics and pulled him aside as he saw the blinking light bobbing across the street. A ticket was issued, but it eventually and magically went away because of the help of an “unnamed Lincoln attorney who also liked rugby.”  Matt owes you a beer Vince!    

His favorite UNL tournament was the Iowa City 7’s tournament (see photo with Elvis) as the squad was known as the “Flying Elvi.”  Coach Bill “Zippy” McVicker picked up Paul Riddle and Matt on the shoulder of I-80 on his way to the tournament as there “was no time to get off the ramp.”  He recalls an opposing team composed of a bunch of high school football players which they named, “Tons of fun.”  During the first half of that game, the team did not allow them to touch the ball once!  It was a nice way for the Flying Elvi to “welcome the boys to rugby!”

After UNL, Matt played scrumhalf with the GOATS until 1996 often with former UNL teammates Paul Riddle, Mark Palmer, and Kevin McDonald, who collectively helped the side go from “doormat back to dominance throughout the Midwest.”

Matt’s Younger son lives and works in Omaha while his older son is in medical school at Creighton – Phoenix, AZ campus.  Matt worked for Kellogg’s for 20 years and is now in the engineering/construction consulting field in Harrison, NJ and works for former rugby teammate Steve Lichter at his company EAD.