Lin Walton
William “Lin” Walton combined USA rugby with a career in the U.S. Navy. He was part of OMBAC’s 1985 national sevens championship side.
First recorded USA service · 1980
OMBAC club record
1970s · 1980s · 2000sPlayer · Coach
View in the shared people roll →
Enlarge ↗Lin Walton at OMBAC’s SCRFU Division III championship match against South Orange County, April29,2006.Randall S. Mar / OMBAC Rugby archive
Second photograph ↗Club record & sources
These are recorded seasons and roles; they may not cover the person’s full time at the club.
- May 2001 vs ChicoDIII XV · wingSource ↗
Career résumé
Wing · Eagle #118 · 4 XV caps · USA XV
The OMBAC affiliation
Member of OMBAC’s 1985 national champion sevens team.
Published OMBAC evidence. Club years: 1985 championship team.
Photograph provenance
CDR William “Lin” Walton, USN (Ret.) — Norfolk State alumni honoree, 2018 · Norfolk State University, BEHOLD Spring2018, p32; photographer not separately credited
The national record
- USA fifteens
- 4 documented career record
National service & the OMBAC connection
William “Lin” Walton combined elite rugby with service as a U.S. Naval Aviator. The Norfolk State physics graduate earned four USA fifteens caps, beginning in 1980, and is recorded among Boston Rugby’s internationals as well as OMBAC’s Eagles. Norfolk State’s 2018 alumni tribute recognizes Walton as the first African-American member of the U.S. National Rugby Team.
Photographs