Eagles Name Manager

(Berkeley, California) 25 April 2000 -- USA Rugby has tapped more than 30 years of rugby experience, naming American Michael Smith, PhD as national team manager for the 2000 summer campaign.

Involved in rugby on three continents during the course of an international business career, the 55-year-old Smith is a former player for and president of the San Francisco Rugby Club.

"Mike has excellent and diverse experience as a player and an administrator," said US head coach Duncan Hall. "These skills will enhance the off-field organization of the team."

Smith's colorful rugby resume includes captaining Indonesia to the inaugural Hong Kong Sevens and taking them to the plate final the next year. He has also played club rugby in Uganda and the Philippines.

"The Eagles appointment is an opportunity to use a lot of years of rugby experience and knowledge and be part of the growth of USA Rugby," commented Smith.

The senior oil industry executive spent some 20 years based in Asia running a consulting operation with offices in Jakarta, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore and San Francisco. Now retired, Smith lives on a ranch in the Sierra foothills with his wife of 36 years, Joan.

Smith's background includes doctoral studies in East Africa preceded by time in the U.S. military. Smith, who will report to National Team general manager Jack Clark, also attended Montana State on a football scholarship.

Smith's tenure as manager begins with the USA's Epson Cup match in Japan at the end of May. The Eagles return to America for two matches in early June, first facing Canada in Manchester, New Hampshire on June 3, an event that also features the club division one national championship Final Four. The following weekend the USA faces Ireland at the same venue.

© USA National Rugby Team
Kurt Oeler, Media Relations
Hudson Rugby Fieldhouse
Berkeley, California 94720 4426
phone 510.643.1971 / fax 510.643.2192