VINCE POWERS

Vince’s college experience did not begin in Lincoln, but rather, in “Beantown” itself as for over three years, he attended Boston University as well as UMASS – Boston, combined with a little down time in between the two.  He had always wanted to own and operate his own law firm, so he decided he could still receive an outstanding education at UNL and save a few dollars while doing so, and he moved to Lincoln.  

He roomed with one of the club’s founding fathers, RJ Neary, an old friend from Omaha, who encouraged him to go out for the team.  He did just that and began playing lock in 1974, finished his undergrad degree a semester early in December 1975, and then entered law school in fall 1976 where he too, graduated a semester early in December, 1978.  

His scariest memory from his playing days involved a near drowning that occurred during the Big 8 Tournament in 1975 that was played in Columbia, MO.  “When the game started, snow and ice covered the field,” said Powers.  “The temperature quickly warmed and the frozen tundra turned into a cold swamp where I found myself at the bottom of a scrum buried in a deep puddle of water and unable to breath!”

Side bar –

A few years prior to this, Thomas Adrian George became the first coach for the Rugby Club, starting in the fall of 1973. Adrian was born in Darlington, England and was a member of the Royal Chemical Society in London and the American Chemical Society. He was a Chemistry Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Vice Chair of the Chemistry Department, and a member of Phi Lambda Upsilon Society. His dedication to teaching was recognized by a number of awards, the most recent being the Hazel R. McClymont Distinguished Teaching Fellow Award in 2009.  Following his coaching days, he remained a friend and follower of the team, making appearances at most of the Alumni games over the years, reminding us of what great players we were. He died in Lincoln on February 4, 2010. –

Powers enthusiastically took over the reins of the club as Coach Adrian had other outside commitments, and he took this opportunity to take over as coach as he wanted to give back to a sport that had given him so much over the previous three years.  

He recalls coaching guys that were “competitive, athletic, hungry to play, and eager to prove themselves.”  And prove themselves they did as they regularly traveled throughout “Big 8 Country” to compete against teams from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.  A highlight was finally traveling to KU and defeating them in Lawrence. The club also hosted an annual tournament in Lincoln and competed against men’s teams from throughout the Midwest during the Omaha Tournament as well. “Things were starting to come together with the team and I was growing as a coach during this time.”  Winning the Omaha tourney demonstrated that UNL rugby had arrived. He would hold onto the reins of the club until 1989 where one of his former players, Bill McVicker, eventually took over.

One of Vince’s favorite memories involved trying to get the team an official home field as this concept was foreign to the uncooperative University.  “No field, no problem…I’ll go right to the top,” said Powers as this was his way of fighting for the little guy.  In this particular case, it was the UNL Rugby team against NU Athletics. Vince, who was practicing law at this time, threatened to sue the university for not providing an adequate field for the rugby team.  

Believe it or not, the team had their own manicured and mowed grass field on East Campus the very next semester as “David beat Goliath.”  He recalls having 10 chairs full of coeds drinking margaritas and sunning themselves during one of the first games on the new field as well as Creighton fans heckling him as he coached on from the side.  

 “I have always been grateful for athletes who chose to continue their playing careers throughout club sports; and in this case rugby, as club teams provide meaningful ways to keep participants motivated, accountable, competitive, and in shape.”

While he officially hung up his playing boots and coaching whistle many moons ago, he would often travel to cheer on fellow UNL grads who played in “Old Boy” tournaments in such exotic locations as New Zealand.  He also traveled with the group to the 1999 Rugby World Cup that was held throughout the UK.  It is there where UNL RFC’s legendary crooner, Jim Cunningham (RIP), “knew more Irish songs than the people in Ireland” according to Powers. 

Vince has owned and continues to work for his successful law firm in Lincoln that he began in 1978.  He and his wife Alison have been married for 45 years, and have one daughter who is getting married this upcoming November.  He is looking forward to seeing many of the old faces during the upcoming Homecoming festivities. 

We, as the UNL rugby community, owe a great deal of gratitude for Vince keeping the club going through the good times and the bad!

Cheers Vince!