UPCOMING EVENTS

Nashville vs Atlanta Old White

Saturday, Feb. 27 ~ 3p.m. (or later following the Vandy B game if it happens)
Vanderbilt Rec Fields

NEWS

Nashville Loses Rugby Legend

Wednesday, 10 February 2010

This week, we lost a legend in the Nashville rugby community. Joe Franklin, Vanderbilt player and longtime coach, founding member of the Nashville Rugby Club and Tennessee High School Rugby League, passed away earlier this week due to heart complications. A constant ambassador for the sport we love, he will forever be remembered as a fierce competitor and a gentle soul. We'll miss you Joe!

Visitation: Thursday 3-8 pm at the Hermitage Funeral Home
535 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, Tn 37138

Church Service: Friday Feb. 11, 2010 2:00pm
Hermitage United Methodist Church, 205 Belinda Drive
Hermitage, Tn 37076 with visitation 1 hour prior to the service.

If you'd like to read stories from some of Joe's friends and competitors, click on the Joe tab at the top of the page. We will update these regularly as they come in. If you'd like to post a story or send a pic, please send it to chris.gower@hcahealthcare.com

Vanderbilt Rugby '73 (Joe Franklin ~ 2nd Row, 2nd from Right just below Pat McRedmond)
Picture offered by NRFC Old Boy Dave Ligon.

Old Boy Recalls Early Days

Monday, 08 February 2010

~ Team Picture of the 1970-1971 Vanderbilt Team/First Nashville Side

I was one of the original members of the first team in 1969. I was just googleing Geof Berry, who was our coach, and stumbled on your site. Many of the team members were students at Vandy and that gave me the idea to start a Vandy team the next year. The idea was to get funding from the University. We continued to have a Nashville team and a Vanderbilt team and we practiced together and many guys played on both teams. I left after the spring 1971 season. I'm glad to see that the great sport continued in Nashville. My days as a rugger were some of my most memorable days. I just had a partial knee replacement as a result of an injury suffered against UT. I have some pictures of the first team somewhere and I will try and dig them out.

Best regards,

Larry Hanna