Chapman preparing to tackle the scrumhalf for the University of Victoria, British Colombia, in the 1986 North American Rugby Championship Finals in Victoria, British Colombia.
Our alumni of the month for the month of May comes in the form of a front rower who represented the Wolverines in the 80’s. Ian Chapman earned many honors during his time with Michigan in addition to holding multiple leadership positions. Chapman talks about his experiences with Michigan rugby below.
My first season with Michigan Rugby was in the fall of 1980. I was recruited by the legendary Tom Raboine, aka, the Gordie Howe of Michigan Rugby. I continued to play throughout the 1980’s. While at Michigan, I played every position in the front row, although my playing time came primarily at loose head prop. My greatest honor was to play for the Michigan All-Blues, as we called ourselves in those days under the tutelage of great captains like David Weber and Pete Maggolici. Other honors earned include 1982 U.S. National Collegiate select side, Vice Captain for 4 years (Hacksaw called me captain of vices and that seemed to stick), university captain in 1986 for the last Big 10 Championship Michigan has won, against the University of Wisconsin in Madison. I was on the 1986 Midwest club select side, and played in the Midwest finals vs. Pacific selects in Chicago, Illinois. In 1986 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada I played in the North American finals vs. the University of Victoria, and I was named tournament select. Also I was named to the State of Michigan Selects numerous years. I held positions such as Club selector, social chairman, treasurer, and lining the fields and putting up the posts person for many years. My memories at MRugby were the greatest. I was an Officer in the USMC during the Vietnam Era, and earned a Masters Degree in History at U of M in 1979 before I arrived on the Michigan Rugby scene and those experiences paled in comparison. The great thing about playing at Michigan in those days is that every player A side to D side were treated equally as comrades and we stuck together. Frasiers Pub was our Thursday night HQ back then. Nowadays I’m a 62 year-old grandfather of two grandsons who live in Chicago now. I have been married for 39 years to my most hip and lovely wife Marty. I also hangout with my daughter, Elsha, who is a senior manager at Zingermans roadhouse.
3 comments
I have known Ian for 40 years. He is a generous, faithful and faultless friend. I congratulate him on receiving this honor.
Ian has contributed much to the club and more importantly the deep store of technical details passed on by position players on intelligent tactical and strategic rugby – some call it the Michigan way, and maybe it is – but these details are what give a rugby player the edge when facing a talented opponent. One tiny example – Ian taught me that the 8 man’s first step running the ball from the base of the scrum should always be with the left foot – you gain about 3-4 feet of space before your opponent is aware you are out. This is basic crossover footwork used to create space in many sports, and from the obscured view at the base of the scrum, offers great advantages.
Plus he knew where to get awesome ribs in South Bend on my first rugby trip.
Ian is the best man I’ve ever known. We’ve been best mates since we were kids. I went to that tournament and loved the team, the games, the bars after (of course), but what I most remember is Ian scoring a try in the UVic game, in the rain, going over, around and through everyone. I’ve never seen better play, in any sport, at any time.