Jordan “J” Ulmer Memorial Award

Inspiration:

The Jordan “J” Ulmer Award was established in 2024 to honor the legacy of Jordan Ulmer. Affectionately known as “Violent J” to his teammates, Jordan was a pillar of the UMRFC squad from 2012-2015 and featured as a prop on the 2013 Big Ten Championship and 2015 Collegiate Rugby Championship teams. Known for his immense toughness, quiet determination, and selfless attitude, Jordan was an unstoppable force on the pitch. He was a teammate in which
everyone who played with him agreed, “I’m glad he’s on my team.”

Outside of his dedication to rugby, Jordan was an active volunteer in his church and his local community, most notably building houses in Detroit as part of a nonprofit. He was reliable, humble, easy-going, and loved by each person who knew him. It is our hope that this memorial award inspires each recipient to run hard, serve their community, and let their actions speak louder than their words.

Purpose:

The Jordan Ulmer Award will be awarded annually at the end of the Fall XVs season to a UMRFC player who exhibits the qualities of selflessness, service, determination, and toughness on and off the pitch. The recipient will receive a financial award of $450 to support player dues.

More About Jordan “J” Ulmer:

Jordan Ulmer joined the UMRFC in the spring of 2012. Like many of our favorite Michigan Rugby players, Jordan never played rugby before joining the team and was recruited from the halls of South Quad for his large athletic frame and football background. Jordan quickly picked up the game and gained a reputation for being a powerful ball carrier and tackler. Most of his teammates identified Jordan as the player they least wanted to be matched up with in a one-on-one tackling drill. Jordan was bestowed the nickname “Violent J” due to his commanding presence on the field and from his loose resemblance to the members of Insane Clown Posse. Jordan had a great sense of humor, and it was not long until the entire team witnessed him chug a 2-liter bottle of Faygo Red Pop in one go (the soda associated with the Insane Clown Posse and their fans, Juggalos). While his presence on the rugby pitch was felt by all, off the field Jordan had a quiet and friendly disposition, leading to the affectionate nickname “Silent J”. Jordan was a friend to anyone who took the time to talk with him.

Jordan quickly rose to becoming the starting prop on the A-side of the UMRFC and built a reputation as a dominant scrummager, an impenetrable force in a ruck, and the last guy a ball carrier wanted to run at. Jordan was the definition of a team player – his unrelenting effort and quiet determination on the field rarely led to his own glory, but rather to those of his teammates

Support:

If you would like to make a donation toward the Jordan “J” Memorial Award, click here.

For one-off donations to support the annual scholarship, be sure to add a comment that designates this gift for the Ulmer Award. If you would like to give monthly to seed the award for the coming years, check the box that says “Make this a monthly donation” and send Michigan Rugby Foundation president John Palladino a message (john@michiganrugbyfoundation.org) so the MRF can keep track of your intent.