Skip Heffernan

Played 1974-2012

Coach

Biography

After Stu Pippel retired in 1993, I stepped in as head coach and led Wisconsin Men’s Rugby from 1995 to 2012. I was able to assemble a strong coaching staff with help from WWRC and WRC alumni, including longtime backs coach Lisa Riehl and dedicated assistants such as John Sandner, Kevin McSweeney, Stuart Daily, Joe Coleman, Jeff Schraml, Kirt Soukup, Ross Hopkins, Nic Tyson, and more. As a player, I competed from 1974 to 2012 with five men’s clubs—Mystic River in Boston, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio Rugby Clubs—before finishing my playing career with WRC in Madison.

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

The 2nd tour to Ireland was the only undefeated overseas rugby tour I experienced. We were ready play every match.

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

I've loaned a lot of players money over the years to go on tour (or to get home from tour) but never got stiffed, even if it was 5 years after graduation.

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

My social life is predominantly current and past rugby teammates and spouses.

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

The Brennan brothers on Mystics in Boston, 2 Welshmen 15 years older than me when I started playing at age 22. Bart led the singing and socials, Tim was the head selector/coach.

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

Treasure the moments you have to play and compete. You are never more alive than those 80 minutes on the pitch every Saturday. Play the best rugby you can for as long as you can.