Eric Curtin

1989-1993

Tighthead

Biography

I found rugby in the spring semester of my Freshman year, having gone through the fall semester missing out after having done four sports in high school. It immediately clicked for me. I was fortunate to have been able to slot into the first team with mostly upperclassmen. From there, I held the tighthead jersey for five years, surrounded by very solid packs. For a kid who grew up in a small town in Wisconsin with little diversity, rugby introduced me to others from around the country and the world, and broadened my horizons. The thing that stuck with me most, however, was how tight we were as mates, and I'll never forget it. Finally, I am very proud of having started the Alumni Sustaining Fund, and am grateful to those who have perpetuated and grown it to where it is today.

Please share a fun fact about you or your favorite rugby memory.

In my first game, I was unaware of the 22-meter drop-out rule. As one of the opposing team's players was jogging out to the 22 for the kick, I tackled him. I was fortunate in that we were playing a vets side who knew many of us were brand new.

Is there a specific achievement or contribution you're especially proud of from your time on the team?

Overall, I'm very proud of the quality of our play over the years. We made three Midwest finals and one Final Four, having never lost a state league match.

What have you been up to since graduating, or how did rugby impact your post-college life?

I returned to UW to get my law degree, and made a career out of practicing Intellectual Property law. I played rugby into my 30s, not only enjoying the comradery but also having made many business connections through rugby. I started the Eagan Rugby program in Minnesota in 2012, which grew to be the largest youth program in the state.

Who were your most influential coaches or teammates, and why?

Stu Pippel was our head coach. He was very forward-focused and taught us to scrummage better than anyone we came up against. He was very dedicated to us, and genuinely cared about us as young men. There are countless teammates who I learned from, really too many to list. We had a great group of players with solid character.

What advice would you give to current or future rugby players at UW-Madison?

Enjoy every moment you get with your mates, on and off the field, as life is short and these memories may likely be some of the best memories you will ever create.