A Brief History of MRFC. Media Rugby Football Club

Media Rugby Men’s Football Club played its first game in the spring of 1978. Three high school friends who were returning to the Media, PA area from college and had played collegiate rugby started the club. Gary Cumming, Perry Hartranft and Chip Alyankian were the founders of the Media Rugby Football Club. They contacted other local enthusiasts and the nucleus of the club was formed. The initial team consisted of a multitude of local families who supplied the heart of the club. Many of the original players had no experience playing rugby and some were still in high school and college. Media Rugby Men’s Club was young and aggressive and soon earned a reputation for hard nosed play.

The initial club consisted of over 9 different brother combinations which fostered a unique brand of play with a special bond of brotherhood. Alyankian (Chip & Pete), Breitmayer (Jerry & John), Clary (Andy, Jim, Brendan & Tim), Hartranft (Perry & Billy), Harahan (Jackie, Jimmy, Tommy & Dennis), Bonner (Jim & John), Todorow (Tom, Chris & Walt), Calabrese (Ron & Mark) and Heavens (Matt & Luke) were just some the initial original Media area families to provide players to the club. Many of these families were childhood friends who played local sports growing up. Media Rugby Club was and is a true “band of brothers”. Today the brotherhood tradition is continued by the Jones brothers, David and Owen, the Mitros Brothers, Tommy and Larry, and Ken Smith and Ray Grogan, also brothers.

Initially MRFC struggled to field two full sides and many of the original players went two games. Some games it was a challenge just to field one team. As Media Rugby battled to establish itself many so called local rugby “experts” suggested Media fold and some tried to recruit our better players. Nonetheless Media Rugby flourished and comprised a winning record and slowly gained respect throughout the EPRU. In the mid 1980’s Media assimilated Marple Rugby football club into its fold and continued to grow. Into the 1990’s and early 2000’s Media grew into a regional powerhouse. Even progeny from original players have become members of the fraternity.

Media Rugby grew from its humble beginnings into the premier Division 1 club in the EPRU. Media Rugby has toured Europe several times, moved from division 3 up to the top echelon of Division 1’s men rugby and is nationally ranked in USA Power Rugby as one of the top 10 teams in the nation for the last several years. MRFC sponsors Media United Youth Side (High School) and has alumni coaching at Monsigner Bonner (High School), local colleges at St. Joseph’s University, Widener University, Swarthmore College, Temple University, and Villanova. Media also has current players coaching Drexel Men and Temple's Women Rugby.

In addition, Media Rugby is heavily involved in numerous local and national charitable organizations donating time, talent and resources. Media Rugby has active alumni, friend and fan base after 30 years. Media Rugby has a Hall of Fame inducting its initial class into the hall at their 25th year banquet in 2003. In 2008 the Club was inducted in the Media Area Sports Hall of Fame.

Rugby players around the world have a special bond from having played the sport. It is a fraternity shared by few. Media Rugby is a true brotherhood in every sense of the word and a special one at that. Anyone who has played for Media at any time understands the exclusivity of this special bond.

“Nusquam Perigrini”
Nowhere Strangers

Walt Todorow

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