CWU Men´s Rugby Coach Tackles Rugby World Cup in France

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Central Washington University Men´s Club Rugby coach and assistant director of Central´s Recreation Center, Bob Ford, is spending September in France where he´s experiencing an opportunity of a lifetime.

In August, Ford was named manager of the USA Men´s National Rugby Team, the USA Eagles, after the team´s previous manager, Rob Holder, stepped down. This month, Ford will lead the team, which is currently ranked 13th in the world, in the Rugby World Cup.

"It´s a pretty phenomenal opportunity," exclaims Ford, one of only five people to have ever managed the U.S. national team to a world cup. "It´s an amazing blessing - not something that happens every day."

Ford has been very involved in all levels of rugby, from collegiate to national. For the past five years, he´s served as the CWU Men´s Rugby Team coach. He´s also managed the U.S. Falcons to the championship game of the 2007 North America 4 Tournament, served as head coach of the Pacific Northwest RFU and manager of the Pacific Coast Collegiate Grizzlies.

"I´ve managed seven or eight different players who are currently on the national team throughout their collegiate careers," says Ford. "I´m excited for the opportunity to get to work with some of the best athletes in the sport."

Ford is also elated about the recognition and networking opportunities his experience at the national level will bring to Central´s program. He looks forward to sharing the knowledge he´s gaining with his CWU players and infusing what he learns into the program at Central.

When it comes to his Central team, Ford anticipates another great season. With possibly 12 of the 15 returning starters from last year coming back for another season, Ford says, it could be one the most talented rugby teams Central has had in its 35 year history on Central´s campus.

Ford´s Eagles take on England September 8. Follow all the action at www.rugbyworldcup.com.

Contact: Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, olint@cwu.edu, 509-963-1416