Awards

Awards

TTRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY RUGBY

Club playing awards are voted on by the membership and presented at the end of each season in recognition of a season of outstanding performance. Each season we present awards to the outstanding forward, back, and rookie, and to the most improved player (who is not a rookie) that season.

The “Alan Chapman Award” is presented annually to a club member in recognition of their contributions to the club both on and off the field. It is the highest award that can be bestowed on a member of Truman Rugby.

ALAN CHAPMAN AWARD

In honor of Allen Chapman, a man whose vision and unselfish dedication to rugby
taught us to “recognize the importance and value of our custodial responsibilities.”

Presented annually to a member in recognition of exemplary service to
Truman State University Rugby both on and off the pitch.

When I arrived at Kansas State in fall of 1979 to begin my Ph.D., Alan and Margaret Chapman were both on faculty in the School of Architecture. Alan had continued his rugby involvement from his days at University of Kansas when he moved to K-State, and he was instrumental in organizing the K-State Rugby Club (lots of dots and all). He was a very big influence on me personally. Alan had an eye for organization and detail, and he was adept at team management. I was fortunate to tour with the Kansas University club to England, Wales and France in 1981. Alan was the tour manager and arranged a dinner in Cornwall, his home.  He was thrilled to show everyone his home country.

Alan and Margaret left K-State around 1982 to take faculty positions at Miami of Ohio in Oxford, OH. All too soon, Alan was diagnosed with brain cancer.  The cancer slowly robbed Alan of his senses and his faculties.  He passed away after an long and amazing fight in November 1993. I last saw Alan at a KU Alumni event in spring 1992. He was remarkably lucid (probably more by shear will of personality) and the turnout in his honor was spectacular and inspiring. As I recall 165 people attended the dinner that night to honor Alan.  It was a touching and well-deserved tribute.

Alan believed it was critical to recognize those in rugby who work behind the scenes, not just the players on the pitch. He created the “Kernow Cup” at KU, and later the “Simpken-Smith Award” at K-State.  As president of the K-State Rugby Football Club, I received this award in 1984. Each of these awards recognizes contributions made by a member off the field. Sadly ironic, Alan passed away just days before we awarded the first “Alan Chapman Award” at Truman State University in November 1993.  I suspect he would have been mortified to have an award named after him (he always dreamed interesting names for these awards).  Photos and notice of the award, with heartfelt condolences, were sent to Margaret soon after. She was pleased to hear of the award, and a small bit of recognition for Alan’s legacy and impact on rugby.  Truman Rugby presents the “Alan Chapman Award” annually in the fall to recognize the service and contributions of a member made both on and off the pitch during the past year.

Bill Sexton
Coach, Truman Rugby
Kansas State Rugby Alumnus

  • 2014 – Ben Wehner
  • 2013 – Nicholas Koenen
  • 2012 – Nicholas Koenen
  • 2011 – Aaron Loida
  • 2010 – Nicholas Koenen
  • 2009 – Aaron Loida
  • 2008 – Justin Lacy
  • 2007 – Tim Hage
  • 2006 – Tim Hage
  • 2005 – Not awarded
  • 2004 – Matt O’Brien
  • 2003 – Joe Donley
  • 2002 – Joe Donley
  • 2001 – Joe Rothermich
  • 2000 – Brian Newcomb
  • 1999 – Zak Wilson
  • 1998 – Bob Hirth
  • 1997 – Mike Arnold
  • 1996 – Kyle Roach
  • 1995 – Ben Douglas
  • 1994 – Guy Hagen
  • 1993 – Guy Hagen

 

 

Outstanding Forward

Spring 2018 – Eann Diller
Spring 2017 – n/a Fall 2017 – Connor Flairty
Spring 2016 – n/a Fall 2016 – n/a
Spring 2015 – n/a Fall 2015 – n/a
Spring 2014 – Sean Doyle Fall 2014 – Zane Smith
Spring 2013 – Nick Koenen Fall 2013 – Jacob Tweet
Spring 2012 – Jason Ralph Fall 2012 – Dan Bellavia
Spring 2011 – Luke Wenger Fall 2011 – Nicholas Koenen
Spring 2010 – Justin Lacy Fall 2010 – Luke Wenger
Spring 2009 – Dylan Rohr Fall 2009 – (tie) Dylan Rohr & Justin Lacy
Spring 2008 – Justin Lacy Fall 2008 – Justin Lacy
Spring 2007 – Mike Fitzgerald Fall 2007 – Leonard Stephens
Spring 2006 – Tom Tajkowski Fall 2006 – Mike Fitzgerald
Spring 2005 – Tom Tajkowski Fall 2005 – Kyle Stephens
Spring 2004 – Tom Tajkowski Fall 2004 – Tom Tajkowski
Spring 2003 – Tom Tajkowski Fall 2003 – Brian Wilson
Spring 2002 – Harry Kuan Fall 2002 – Brian Wilson
Spring 2001 – Martin Garcia Fall 2001 – Harry Kuan
Spring 2000 – Zak Wilson Fall 2000 – John Tarpoff
Spring 1999 – Zak Wilson Fall 1999 – Zak Wilson
Spring 1998 – Zak Wilson and Bill Siems (tie) Fall 1998 – Zak Wilson
Spring 1997 – Erik Booth Fall 1997 – Zak Wilson
Spring 1996 – Dave Ethetton Fall 1996 – Erik Booth and Chris Donnelly (tie)
Spring 1995 – Dave Ethetton Fall 1995 – Dave Ethetton
Spring 1994 – Donny LeMay and Scott Valley (tie) Fall 1994 – Donny LeMay
Spring 1993 – Glenn (Bull) Baumgarth Fall 1993 –
Spring 1992 – Fall 1992 – Glenn (Bull) Baumgarth
Spring 1991 – Frank Pulido Fall 1991 – Chris Geisert

 

 

Outstanding Back

Spring 2018 – Torin Halbert
Spring 2017 – n/a Fall 2017 – Torin Halbert
Spring 2016 – n/a Fall 2016 – n/a
Spring 2015 – n/a Fall 2015 – n/a
Spring 2014 – David McDonough Fall 2014 – Jake Tweet
Spring 2013 – Joe Krispin Fall 2013 – David McDonough
Spring 2012 – Aaron Loida Fall 2012 – David McDonough
Spring 2011 – David McDonough Fall 2011 – David McDonough
Spring 2010 – Aaron Loida Fall 2010 – David McDonough
Spring 2009 – Josh Harris Fall 2009 – Dustin Homer
Spring 2008 – Aaron Loida Fall 2008 – Aaron Loida
Spring 2007 – Tony Giubardo Fall 2007 – Dustin Homer
Spring 2006 – Sean Foley Fall 2006 – Tony Giubardo
Spring 2005 – Chris Bell Fall 2005 – Tony Giubardo
Spring 2004 – Ryan Worth Fall 2004 – Sean Foley
Spring 2003 – Sean Foley Fall 2003 – Sean Foley
Spring 2002 – Greg Gallagher Fall 2002 – Luke Walczewski
Spring 2001 – Greg Gallagher Fall 2001 – Greg Gallagher
Spring 2000 – Bryan Lay Fall 2000 – Greg Gallagher
Spring 1999 – Dan Brady and Brian Eichholz (tie) Fall 1999 – Ben Sinclair
Spring 1998 – Kyle Roach and Bryan Lay (tie) Fall 1998 – Dan Brady
Spring 1997 – Jim Rohr Fall 1997 – Kyle Roach
Spring 1995 – Guy Hagen Fall 1995 – Jim Rohr
Spring 1994 – Walter Jones Fall 1994 – Jim Rohr
Spring 1993 – Brian Gilsinn Fall 1993 – Jim Rohr
Spring 1992 – Steve Cohen (KCOM student) Fall 1992 – Guy Hagen
Spring 1991- Chris Van der Pluym Fall 1991 – Chris Van der Pluym

 

 

Outstanding Rookie

Spring 2018 – Josiah Lunceford
Spring 2017 – n/a Fall 2017 – Will Sills
Spring 2016 – n/a Fall 2016 – n/a
Spring 2015 – n/a Fall 2015 – n/a
Spring 2014 – Coltin Belitz Fall 2014 – Zach Mapel
Spring 2013 – Erik Anderson Fall 2013 – Alec Graham
Spring 2012 – Zachary Sage Fall 2012 – Josh Sander
Spring 2011 – Michael Kramer Fall 2011 – Joshua Shipman
Spring 2010 – Matt Stokes Fall 2010 – Nick Budd
Spring 2009 – Jordan Buchheit Fall 2009 – David McDonough
Spring 2008 – Aaron Crouse Fall 2008 – Dylan Rohr
Spring 2007 – Dustin Homer Fall 2007 – Matt Engelbart
Spring 2006 – Atsufumi Kiyokuni Fall 2006 – Daniel Campbell
Spring 2005 – Tim Branch Fall 2005 – Mike Fitzgerald
Spring 2004 – Joe Pantano Fall 2004 – Brandon Baily
Spring 2003 – Matt O’Brien Fall 2003 – Leonard Stephens
Spring 2002 – Ryan Worth Fall 2002 – Sean Foley
Spring 2001 – Luke Walczewski Fall 2001 – Tom Tajkowski
Spring 2000 – Derek Rohr Fall 2000 – Justin Carley
Spring 1999 – John Tarpoff Fall 1999 – Kevin Hunn
Spring 1998 – Kevin Byerley Fall 1998 – Greg Gallagher and Paul McQuillen (tie)
Spring 1997 – Dan Brady Fall 1997 – Harry Kuan
Spring 1996 – Bryan Lay Fall 1996 – Ryan Hoshor
Spring 1995 – Dan Killian Fall 1995 – Phil Warren, Brandon Hamberg, Dave Bryant
Spring 1994 – Bob Andresen Fall 1994 – Erik Booth
Spring 1993 – Walter Jones Fall 1993 – Johan Kullander
Spring 1992 – Dave Ethetton Fall 1992 – Jim Rohr
Spring 1991 – Steve Cohen Fall 1991 – Chris Grotewiel

 

 

Most Improved Player

Spring 2018 – Michael Thomas
Spring 2017 – n/a Fall 2017 – Gennaro Mercante
Spring 2016 – n/a Fall 2016 – n/a
Spring 2015 – n/a Fall 2015 – n/a
Spring 2014 – Ben Wehner Fall 2014 – Franchot Walker
Spring 2013 – Sean Doyle Fall 2013 – Ben Wehner
Spring 2012 – James Flath Fall 2012 – John Lux
Spring 2011 – Nick Koenen Fall 2011 – Nathan Dismang
Spring 2010 – Luke Wenger Fall 2010 – Dan Bellavia
Spring 2009 – Phil Powell & Chester Nay (tie) Fall 2009 – Phil Powell
Spring 2008 – Aaron Loida Fall 2008 – Clinton Narayan
Spring 2007 – Jake Uhlenhake Fall 2007 – Jake Uhlenhake
Spring 2006 – Justin Lacy Fall 2006 – Matt Pieper
Spring 2005 – Leonard Stephens Fall 2005 – Tim Branch
Spring 2004 – Kevin Jones Fall 2004 – Taurean Johnson
Spring 2003 – T.R. Dilla & Ben Burkemper (tie) Fall 2003 – Richard Schuessler
Spring 2002 – Kevin Orcutt Fall 2002 – Brennan Delaney
Spring 2001 – Joe Donley Fall 2001 – Joe Donley and Justin Carley (tie)
Spring 2000 – Kevin Hunn Fall 1999 – John Neudecker
Spring 1999 – Ben Sinclair Fall 1998 – Pat Kozemski
Spring 1998 – Adam Bossler Fall 1997 – Tim Russo and Vinnie Wroughton (tie)
Spring 1997 – Jim Cain and Bob Hirth (tie) Fall 1996 – Chris Wright
Spring 1996 – Alan Dewey Fall 1995 – Kris Kartsen and Chris Simpson (tie)
Spring 1995 – Erik Booth Fall 1994 – John Brooks
Spring 1994 – Mike Ward Fall 1993 – Chris Donnelly
Spring 1993 – Jim Rohr Fall 1992 – Shawn Philpott
Spring 1992 – Fall 1991 – Andy Hanson
Spring 1991 – Dave Goring

 

 

Most Valuable Player

Spring 1991 – Scott Lay Fall 1991 – Chris Vander Pluym