Tommy Smith (rugby union)

Tommy Smith is a former rugby union player who represented the United States in 15s and 7s rugby before becoming the coach of the US sevens team in 1999.[1] Smith played, captained, and coached the US National team and has been a member of the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame since his 2017 induction.[2]

USA Rugby

Smith was awarded the Leslie Williams Award for "Best and Fairest Player" at the 1986 Hong Kong Sevens tournament, joining past recipients Jonah Lomu, Waisale Serevi and Mark Ella.[3][4] In 1997 Tommy was named to the All Time All World 7's Hong Kong team at scrum half. He made 45 appearances for the U.S. national sevens team, and captained the side 19 times. In 15s, Tommy played wing, fullback, fly-half, and scrum half for the U.S. Eagles. He coached the United States national rugby sevens team from 1999-2001, at the beginning of the "World Series of 7s".

Career Highlights

1988 vs Canada Plate Championship (American Football passing try)[5]

1988 Melrose 7s (American Football penalty play)[6]

1986 Hong Kong 7s 80m try (“Best and Fairest” in tourney)[7]

1986 Hong Kong 7s vs Japan (semi finals victory)[8]

College and club rugby

As a player, captain, and coach he spent a decade at UCLA from 1980-1990. Tommy was inducted into the UCLA Rugby Hall of Fame in January, 2018.[9]

Tommy played, captained, and coached for Santa Monica Rugby Club starting in 1978 through 2011 periodically. Tommy was inducted into the Santa Monica Rugby Hall of Fame in March, 2018.[10]

In 2007, Tommy coached Alameda Youth Rugby club and traveled to San Diego to attend the US Sevens at Petco Park. The team also participated in a 12U rugby tournament against youth teams from Southern California.

In 2011 he was the coach of the sevens team at the Santa Monica Rugby Club.[11]

Tommy also coached at UC Berkeley. As the Pacific Coast Grizzlies captain and coach, the team won 2 National Championships in 1990 and 1991.

Baseball career

Smith was drafted by the Texas Rangers out of Walter Johnson High School (Bethesda, MD) in 1974.[12] He played shortstop for 3 seasons with the Ranger's minor league affiliates.

References
  1. Briggs, Don (1999-08-07). "Former Frederick Great to Coach USA 7's 2000 Team". Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  2. "Tommy Smith, 2017 U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Inductee". U.S. Rugby Foundation. Archived from the original on December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2018 – via www.usrugbyfoundation.org.
  3. Butwell, Scot (1987-10-22). "Any Place He Hangs His Cleats Is Home : American Rugby Star Practices His Trade All Over the World". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 18, 2015. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  4. "Leslie Williams Award". Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  5. Smith, Tommy (2020-06-19), Rugby Hong Kong 7s Championship highlights 1988 Tommy Smith american torpedo, retrieved 2020-06-19
  6. Smith, Tommy (2020-06-19), Rugby 7s Melrose Scotland highlights Tommy Smith 50yd football pass, retrieved 2020-06-19
  7. Smith, Tommy (2020-06-19), Rugby Hong Kong 7s 1986 highlights Tommy Smith 80 yard try, retrieved 2020-06-19
  8. Smith, Tommy (2020-06-19), Rugby Hong Kong 7s 1986 highlights Tommy Smith assist to Fowler, retrieved 2020-06-19
  9. "UCLA Rugby Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2018". UCLA Club Sports. Retrieved 2019-09-21.
  10. "Tommy Smith". smrchalloffame.com. Retrieved 2019-09-21.
  11. "Rugby Sevens Season Wrap-Up". www.santamonicarugby.com. Santa Monica Rugby Club. 2011-09-18. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  12. "Thomas Smith Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2019-09-24.


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