HOF Class of 2026: George Hurtis

When George Hurtis arrived at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1978, he had never played rugby. Growing up in rural northwestern Wisconsin, football was familiar, but rugby was anything but. That changed when fellow student Harry Benson, who lived in the apartment next door, invited George to a practice. One training session was all it took—he was hooked.

George quickly became an integral part of the young Badger Rugby Club during its formative years. Playing primarily at No. 8 after beginning as a loose forward, he embraced both the physical demands of the game and the camaraderie that defined the club. He also stepped into leadership roles as the club evolved, helping recruit new players outside the Red Gym during registration and eventually captaining the 1982 squad that captured the Wisconsin Collegiate Championship.

Among George's favorite memories are the adventures that came with rugby in those early days. He fondly recalls the club's legendary trip home from the Daytona Beach tournament in a rented U-Haul after their bus broke down—a story that has become part of Badger Rugby lore. He also remembers scoring the lone try in the championship match of the 1979 Claude Allouez Tournament, helping UW secure one of the earliest tournament victories in club history.

George's talent was recognized beyond Madison. At just 19 years old, he earned selection to the Midwest Rugby Football Union Under-23 side, although a knee injury unfortunately kept him from competing against touring Swansea College. Summers were often spent playing alongside other top Wisconsin collegiate players in select-side tournaments across the Midwest, experiences that further developed both his game and his appreciation for the sport.

After graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1982, George's rugby journey continued. He played with the Pittsburgh Rugby Club before returning to the Midwest, where he competed with clubs in southeastern Minnesota. While completing graduate studies at UW–Madison, he returned to play with the Wisconsin Rugby Club and later became one of the founding members of the VOMITS (Veterans, OldMen, Idiots & Twits), remaining connected to the Madison rugby community for years after his collegiate career.

Professionally, George enjoyed a 36-year career with IBM, retiring in 2020 after serving in a variety of manufacturing and supply chain leadership roles. Through it all, rugby remained an important part of his life. He credits his wife, Karen, as his biggest supporter, while joking that their three daughters became "self-proclaimed rugby orphans" after spending countless weekends around muddy rugby pitches during his playing days. The family's rugby tradition continued into the next generation, with daughters Katie and Kelly both playing collegiate rugby.

Looking back, George believes rugby's greatest gift isn't found in wins or championships, but in the friendships it creates. Coming from a small rural community, the club introduced him to people from every background and every corner of the world. Those relationships have lasted decades, and many of his teammates remain close friends today.

His advice to today's Badgers is simple: play every opportunity you can, enjoy your time with the club, and appreciate the brotherhood that rugby creates. The lessons learned on the pitch—and the friendships formed alongside it—will stay with you long after your playing days are over.

The Badger Men's Rugby Alumni Association is proud to congratulate George Hurtis on his induction into the Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026. We look forward to celebrating his remarkable contributions to Badger Rugby during Alumni Weekend this August.