Donate to the Hounds

Sponsor the Wolfhounds

Competing at the highest level involves supporting player travel and maintaining the best pitches in the Midwest. Promoting player development begins with youth programs across our region, thru partnerships with local high school teams, in providing the Midwest collegiate players’ Overseas Rugby Experience Program, and much more. From simply cheering on any one of our teams at Brimelow Fields to adopting a player, there are numerous ways to get involved in Cincinnati rugby. Help us break the gain line. Donate today!

Customize Your Donation

Midwest Rugby Development Foundation

Incorporated in 1996, the Midwest Rugby Development Foundation works to increase the growth and awareness of Rugby and to further the development of amateur athletes by promoting educational rugby activities. As a 501(c)(3) entity, the MWRDF offers a unique opportunity for organizations to get involved in rugby. Your generosity assists directly in the training, preparation, and growth of rugby throughout Greater Cincinnati and help to provide a bright future for young athletes.

Donate to MWRDF

Winter Banquet

The Cincinnati Rugby Football Club cordially invites you to attend our annual winter banquet on. Please plan to join us as we celebrate the team’s accomplishments from the 2021 season, recognize player achievement, and congratulate this year’s CRFC Hall of Fame inductee. More information coming soon.

Euchre Tournament

Annual Euchre Tournament to benefit the Midwest Rugby Development Foundation on. This charity event includes a double elimination tournament, raffle prizes, and split the pots. The venue will be showing football playoff games and offering drink and food specials.

Our Mission & Vision

Mission Statement:

CRFC is to compete at the highest level of rugby.

Team Culture:

1. Family Oriented–positive support of your teammates

2. Honor the Team–don’t do anything to embarrass yourself, your teammates, your family, or theclub

3. Respect your opponents, referees, and the game

4. Play to the best of your ability, maximum effort in practices and games

Philosophy & Style of Play

The ‘Hounds are known and respected across the country for their fierce, hard-nosed style of play and the strenght and class of the organization.

Principles:

1. Good, hard defense to create turnovers

2. Use fitness to wear down opponents

3. Be dynamic to create mismatches on offence and exploit opponents weaknesses

Tactics:

1. Dominate the contact–positive tackles behind thegain line

2. Continuous improvementon our conditioning

3. Improve on the Hold and Fold patterns as well as decision making in exploiting a team’s weaknesses

Why Join Us?

Our Club is a family. We support player development from children to international players for both men and women. We have respect for people and the game. Finally, we play to the best of our abilities.

Player Philosophy:

To become a better player, we must accept personal responsibility for our development.

Demanding more of ourselves:

1. Fitness

2. Eliminating avoidable mistakes in routine skills

3. Expand their skills

4. Feel confident in winning the match

5. Concerned with their poor skills over good skills

6. Never becomplacent

7. Commitment to the team

CRFC is the Premier Rugby Club in Ohio. Founded in 1974, the Club fields competitive teams in Men’s Division 1 Midwest Premiership, and Sevens Teams for both Men and Women. A very active over-35 Greyhound group ensures the history and culture of our Club are embodied. Since inception, the Wolfhounds remain one of only two teams in the Midwest Rugby Union to compete in Division I for their entire history.

Join / Get Involved

Our Facilities

CRFC maintains the premier rugby piches in the midwest - Brimelow Fields. We have two regulation-size picthes with natural grass, scoreboards, and stadium lights. Located near Cincinnati, Ohio it is easily accesible and accomodating. Several national tournaments are hosted there as well as club, college, and high-school events. Brimelow Fields: 6440 Stockton Rd. Fairfield, OH 45242

Our Clubhouse has hosted legends of the league and rugby in general. We host international players, Grayhounds, teams, and events throughout the year here. Some of our fondest memories have been made, and continue to be made, in this 5 bedroom house with a meeting room/bar in the basement. The huge back-yard hosts our socials and parties where we can bond with eachother and others.

The snack shack at Brimelow fields offers tasty, as well as healthy, treats along with meal-type options, drinks, and merchandise for patrons and players during game and tournament days. We have a liquor license that allows us to sell beer or daily memberships for beer as well. The snack shack is volunteer-operated and all income goes to club improvements.

Alcohol

NO CARRY IN ALCOHOL
ZERO TOLERANCE
Any/all alcohol brought in will be confiscated upon entry.
All confiscated alcohol will be kept on ice and enjoyed by the day’s volunteers after you have gone home

If caught with alcohol on property, you will be EJECTED and not refunded (parking / tournament entry / etc.)

1. You could try to pull the old, wait-till-the-tourney-is-done-and-then-breakout-the-beer-when-they-all go home. So, I guess, if you want to bring it in... Thanks, I guess, but your alcohol will be confiscated.

Alcohol is for sale- You must be 21 to purchase alcohol.

NOTE: Helicopters are free… because that would be sweet!

NO PARKING in driveways down the street, your vehicle will be ticketed and towed. Not by us. But they will gladly have you removed

Pets

1. We’re cool with dogs, as long as they’re on a leash and well behaved

2. Please remember to bring your own plastic bags for cleanup

3. Cats?? Cats are jerks and probably don’t like rugby anyway - they’re into tennis and crap like that… whatever, if you want to bring your cat, you can… same rules apply though.

4. Other animals? Don’t be that guy/girl and be the weirdo that brings a snake or lizard or something.

Do these rules seem familiar? Aside from the basic fact that this how almost EVERYONE runs a tournament, we did get some help. We liked the “House Rules” for the Firehouse 7s so much that we borrowed them for our tournament. Thank you, Chicago Blaze!

Our Teams & Programs

Men’s Division I

The DI Men’s team competes in the Midwest East League with fall and spring seasons starting in August and February, respectively.

Men’s Second Side

The Men’s Second Side competes in the Midwest League with fall and spring seasons starting in August and February, respectively.

Women’s 7’s

The Women’s 7’s team competes in the Midwest 7’s circuit and the season starts in April. The season runs through August.

Men’s 7’s

The Men’s 7’s team competes in the Midwest 7’s circuit and the season starts in April. The season runs through August.

Shop

The store has all kinds of Club gear, including t-shirts, dry-fits, sweatshirts, jackets, hoodies, shorts, hats, and more! The best part is, OurOrg.Shop passes along 15% of the profit to the club! Visit the link here to browse the store. Go CRFC!

Go To Shop

Sponsor

Competing at the highest level involves supporting player travel and maintaining the best pitches in the Midwest. Promoting player development begins with youth programs across our region, through partnerships with local high school teams, in providing the Midwest collegiate players’ Overseas Rugby Experience Program, and much more. Help us break the gain line. Donate today!

Sponsor

Dues

Annual subscriptions determine Club privileges and certify participation at general meetings. Team members and Grayhounds can pay through our site. For specific information regarding Undergraduate or Overseas members, contact our Club Treasurer.

Pay Dues

Get In Touch With Us

Club History

The Cincinnati RFC was founded in 1974 by members of the University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, and other local schools, with the objective of playing the highest level of rugby possible. The team, known as the Wolfhounds, currently competes in the Midwest East region of USA rugby.

The first team Wolfhounds have played in the Midwest Championship Tournament nineteen times and reached the national “sweet sixteen” five times, finishing fifth in 2005, fourth in 2007, and ninth in 2011. Success has also come frequently in non-league tournaments such as the Savannah, GA St. Patrick’s Day Tournament, recently winning the Premier division in 2015. The Wolfhounds have featured 5 USA Eagles national team players amongst its list of accomplished ruggers, including Luke Gross.

21

Midwest Championship Tourney Appearances

7

National Sweet Sixteen Appearances

6

USA Rugby National Team Eagle Players

1974

Founded and have maintained a D1 team since

Hall Of Fame

In honor of those who have provided extraordinary service to the Club, on and/or off the pitch, for an extended period of time.

Name	Year
Tony Schenke	2023
Jerry Williams	2022
Mike Clarke	2022
Ronnie Asbury	2021
John McCafferty	2021
Bob Deck	2020
Steve Seilkop	2020
John Hogan	2019
Patrice Latapy	2018
Jimmy Johnson	2017
Mark Heidrich	2016
Tim Distler	2016
Luke Gross	2013
Nick Lauterbach	2012
Casey Schnieber	2012
Kevin Egan	2011
J.R. Hassett	2011
Greg Ahrens	2010
Chuck Tunnacliffe	2009
JT Irwin	2009
Darryl Rice	2009
John Apke	2008
John Spencer	2007
Gerry Lackey	2006
Tom Powers	2005
Ken Glassmeyer	2004
Jake Burkhardt	2nd Class
Mike Barrett	2nd Class
Brian & Lois Brimelow	1st Class
Mike Scheer	1st Class
Gates Moss	1st Class
Doug Logan	1st Class
Steve Wessels	1st Class
Buck Shiels	1st Class
Gerry Mulvany	1st Class

Hall Of Fame

In honor of those who have provided extraordinary service to the Club, on and/or off the pitch, for an extended period of time.

Name	Year
Tony Schenke	2023
Jerry Williams	2022
Mike Clarke	2022
Ronnie Asbury	2021
John McCafferty	2021
Bob Deck	2020
Steve Seilkop	2020
John Hogan	2019
Patrice Latapy	2018
Jimmy Johnson	2017
Mark Heidrich	2016
Tim Distler	2016
Luke Gross	2013
Nick Lauterbach	2012
Casey Schnieber	2012
Kevin Egan	2011
J.R. Hassett	2011
Greg Ahrens	2010
Chuck Tunnacliffe	2009
JT Irwin	2009
Darryl Rice	2009
John Apke	2008
John Spencer	2007
Gerry Lackey	2006
Tom Powers	2005
Ken Glassmeyer	2004
Jake Burkhardt	2nd Class
Mike Barrett	2nd Class
Brian & Lois Brimelow	1st Class
Mike Scheer	1st Class
Gates Moss	1st Class
Doug Logan	1st Class
Steve Wessels	1st Class
Buck Shiels	1st Class
Gerry Mulvany	1st Class

Field Captains

Below is the list of Men that Captained the CRFC Wolfhounds on the field of play.

Names	Date	Position
Eric Lalley	2023	Eight Man
O'Sullivan, Dan	2022	Lock
O'Sullivan, Dan	2021	Lock
O'Sullivan, Dan	2020	Lock
Brogden, Wes	2019	Utility Back
Brogden, Wes	2018	Utility Back
Viviani, Mark	2017	Hooker
Viviani, Mark	2016	Hooker
Grote, Ryan	2015	Fullback
Grote, Ryan	2014	Fullback
Grote, Ryan	2013	Fullback
Schenke, Tony	2012	Lock
Schenke, Tony	2011	Lock
Schenke, Tony	2010	Lock
Schenke, Tony	2009	Lock
McCafferty, John	2008	Prop
McCafferty, John	2007	Prop
Heidrich, Mark	2006	Eight Man
Heidrich, Mark	2005	Eight Man
Schnieber, Casey	2004	Fullback
Schnieber, Casey	2003	Fullback
Melzer, Hugh	2002	Flanker
Melzer, Hugh	2001	Flanker
Heidrich, Mark	2000	Eight Man
Heidrich, Mark	1999	Eight Man
Johnson, Jim	1998	Hooker
Johnson, Jim	1997	Hooker
Egan, Kevin	1996	Center
Egan, Kevin	1995	Center
Hogan, John	1994	Hooker
Hassett, J.R.	1993	Scrum Half
Hassett, J.R.	1992	Scrum Half
Irwin, J.T.	1991	Flanker
Hassett, J.R.	1990	Scrum Half
Distler, Tim	1989	Hooker
Distler, Tim	1988	Hooker
Apke, John	1987	Flanker
Burkhardt, Jake	1986	Flanker
Glassmeyer, Ken	1985	Fly Half
Burkhardt, Jake	1984	Eight Man
Brennan, Danny	1983	Hooker
Muehlenkamp, Tom	1982	Center
Wessels, Steve	1981	Center
Webber, Ron	1980	Center
Logan, Doug	1979	Fullback
Wessels, Steve	1978	Center
Barrett, Mike	1977	Eight Man
Seilkop, Steve	1976	Flanker
Seilkop, Steve	1975	Flanker
Shiels, Buck	1974	Fly Half

Field Captains

Below is the list of Men that Captained the CRFC Wolfhounds on the field of play.

Names	Date	Position
Eric Lalley	2023	Eight Man
O'Sullivan, Dan	2022	Lock
O'Sullivan, Dan	2021	Lock
O'Sullivan, Dan	2020	Lock
Brogden, Wes	2019	Utility Back
Brogden, Wes	2018	Utility Back
Viviani, Mark	2017	Hooker
Viviani, Mark	2016	Hooker
Grote, Ryan	2015	Fullback
Grote, Ryan	2014	Fullback
Grote, Ryan	2013	Fullback
Schenke, Tony	2012	Lock
Schenke, Tony	2011	Lock
Schenke, Tony	2010	Lock
Schenke, Tony	2009	Lock
McCafferty, John	2008	Prop
McCafferty, John	2007	Prop
Heidrich, Mark	2006	Eight Man
Heidrich, Mark	2005	Eight Man
Schnieber, Casey	2004	Fullback
Schnieber, Casey	2003	Fullback
Melzer, Hugh	2002	Flanker
Melzer, Hugh	2001	Flanker
Heidrich, Mark	2000	Eight Man
Heidrich, Mark	1999	Eight Man
Johnson, Jim	1998	Hooker
Johnson, Jim	1997	Hooker
Egan, Kevin	1996	Center
Egan, Kevin	1995	Center
Hogan, John	1994	Hooker
Hassett, J.R.	1993	Scrum Half
Hassett, J.R.	1992	Scrum Half
Irwin, J.T.	1991	Flanker
Hassett, J.R.	1990	Scrum Half
Distler, Tim	1989	Hooker
Distler, Tim	1988	Hooker
Apke, John	1987	Flanker
Burkhardt, Jake	1986	Flanker
Glassmeyer, Ken	1985	Fly Half
Burkhardt, Jake	1984	Eight Man
Brennan, Danny	1983	Hooker
Muehlenkamp, Tom	1982	Center
Wessels, Steve	1981	Center
Webber, Ron	1980	Center
Logan, Doug	1979	Fullback
Wessels, Steve	1978	Center
Barrett, Mike	1977	Eight Man
Seilkop, Steve	1976	Flanker
Seilkop, Steve	1975	Flanker
Shiels, Buck	1974	Fly Half

Current Officers

Our current officers operating for the Club.

Positions	Names
President	Justin Forgash
Men's 15's Coach	Jeff Mooar
Men's 7's Coach	Drew Binegar
Women's 7's Coach	Tom Shutrump
Women's 7's Captain	Kendra Peterson
Women's 7's SM & Comms	Hannah Libby
Club Captain	Augie Murphy
Chairman	Jason Tinch
MWRDF Foundation Reps	Justin Forgash
MWRDF Foundation Reps	Kyle Merk
Treasurer	Jose Sanchez
VP of Recruiting	Killan Mulkern
VP of Fundraising	Matt Tunnacliffe
VP of Marketing	Drew Binegar
Secretary	Ethan Robinson
VP of Drip	Tom Shutrump
Match Secretary	Andrew Butt
Social Chairman	Robert Hernandez
Clubhouse Manager	Mark McAninch & Brody Critzer
Bar Manager	Mark McAninch & Brody Critzer
Field Chairmen	Mark McAninch & Brody Critzer
Selector 1	Mark McAninch
Selector 2	Jason Tinch
Selector 3	Andrew Butt
Selector 4	Drew Binegar

Current Officers

Our current officers operating for the Club.

Positions	Names
President	Justin Forgash
Men's 15's Coach	Jeff Mooar
Men's 7's Coach	Drew Binegar
Women's 7's Coach	Tom Shutrump
Women's 7's Captain	Kendra Peterson
Women's 7's SM & Comms	Hannah Libby
Club Captain	Augie Murphy
Chairman	Jason Tinch
MWRDF Foundation Reps	Justin Forgash
MWRDF Foundation Reps	Kyle Merk
Treasurer	Jose Sanchez
VP of Recruiting	Killan Mulkern
VP of Fundraising	Matt Tunnacliffe
VP of Marketing	Drew Binegar
Secretary	Ethan Robinson
VP of Drip	Tom Shutrump
Match Secretary	Andrew Butt
Social Chairman	Robert Hernandez
Clubhouse Manager	Mark McAninch & Brody Critzer
Bar Manager	Mark McAninch & Brody Critzer
Field Chairmen	Mark McAninch & Brody Critzer
Selector 1	Mark McAninch
Selector 2	Jason Tinch
Selector 3	Andrew Butt
Selector 4	Drew Binegar