James "Jim" Dierker
A rainy afternoon in Columbia and a chance encounter in the Student Union began a rugby life spanning more than five decades — from Reactor Field to the first USA Eagles team in 1976, and on to Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
Alumni in the Wild
Joseph "Pat" Costigan
Four seasons at hooker, and the captain of the 1973–74 side. He co-organized the first Big Eight rugby tournament, found it a sponsor, then packed down in the front row and helped Missouri win it.
Matt "Brote" Brotemarkle
Player, captain, coach and recruiter from 2007 to 2012, he helped petition Mizzou into Division I and built a culture where everyone was welcome — a standard that followed his teammates long after Columbia.
Daniel McGuire
One of the club's originals. He captained the Second Side to the inaugural Heart of America title, played on the undefeated sides of 1968, and later documented Mizzou Rugby's earliest years so they would not be lost.
Richard "Rick" Wetzel
The fly half and club president who co-created the first Big Eight tournament, won it, and changed how Missouri played — then spent fifty more years in the game. In 2026, at seventy-four, he became a hospital chaplain.
John "Tarp" Tarpoff
An all-state wrestler turned flanker, club vice-president and president, and the enforcer who led the scrum to the first Big Eight title — then gave the game another thirty years as a prop, referee and coach.
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