Bill “Chief” Leversee

Began rugby as an 18-year-old UCSB freshman, playing second row.

Career contextUCSB lineout · early Gaucho yearsView archive ↗

Served as UCSB club president, social chairman and tournament director; earned first-team All-American selection and Santa Barbara tournament MVP honours.

Career contextUCSB against Arizona State · college archiveView archive ↗

Named among the leading Gauchos in the college club’s season archive. UCSB finished the campaign with a second consecutive Tri-County tournament title, beating Ventura 27–0 in the final.

Helped UCSB reach a 22–5 season and the Pacific Coast final. The Gauchos’ archive lists Leversee, Stuart Krohn and Tom Constantine as All-Americans; the team dedicated its season to teammate Auggie Serrato.

Event archiveGauchos after beating Cal · 1986View archive ↗

Toured Argentina with the Pacific Coast Grizzlies and contributed to a national championship-winning representative side.

Received UCSB’s Bruce Moore Memorial Award as its most inspirational player. His college responsibilities also included organising the Santa Barbara International Rugby Tournament—a demanding job alongside playing.

Joined OMBAC in 1987, with overseas playing spells during a decade at the club.

Earned 15 Test caps as an Eagles lock across eight years of international rugby.

Scored the closing try in a 17–7 win over Romania in Moscow on his international debut. Mike Saunders also crossed in the second half; the contemporary UPI report describes the Eagles’ first visit to an Eastern Bloc country.

Won five national fifteens championships with OMBAC: 1988, 1989, 1991, 1994 and 1996.

Captained the Junior Eagles on their New Zealand tour; also toured Argentina and Uruguay that year.

Played for Auckland University, receiving two Man of the Match awards.

Started against Italy at the Rugby World Cup; also selected for the New Zealand and England matchday squads.

Event archiveUSA ball carry · 1991 Rugby World CupView archive ↗

Played for Berea Rovers in Natal, South Africa, alongside Springbok internationals.

His overseas career also reached Italy. In the Foundation’s With You interview he discusses both South Africa and Italy, and how those experiences and the 1991 World Cup shaped his rugby life.

Concluded his Eagles touring career with a visit to Canada.

Honoured by the UCSB Recreation Hall of Fame at Mosher Alumni House. In the accompanying interview, he recalled five Gaucho seasons, wins over Cal, representative selection and a lifelong attachment to the college rugby community.

Coached Torrey Pines High School to three consecutive Southern California high-school championships.

As La Jolla High School’s director of rugby, helped lead the Vikings to consecutive Southern California Youth Rugby high-school championships. The coaching group included Kingsley McGowan, Ian Denham and Adam Channel.

Became one of the inaugural three UCSB Rugby Hall of Fame inductees, alongside Mel Gregory and Rod Sears. The college club lists him as inductee number three—an additional honour to his 2009 Recreation Hall of Fame recognition.

Listed as La Jolla High School Rugby’s program director in the union’s venue emergency action plan, documenting continued practical responsibility for the high-school programme.

Inducted into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., in a class that also included Tony Ridnell, Jone Naqica and Kort Schubert.

Career contextBill “Chief” Leversee · rugby communityView archive ↗

At Falcon West, helped inspire an Academy internship that gives rugby athletes a route into business after playing. His employer’s rugby community also includes fellow Hall of Famer Dave Hodges and Olympian Maceo Brown.