Mike Saunders

Headed Boise State’s sevens programme, bringing experience from the Eagles, Grizzlies and NA 4 Falcons into collegiate rugby.

Started rugby at Navy in 1979, played for Monterey, then joined San Diego State in 1982; its Most Valuable Back in 1983.

Bing Dawson recruited him for OMBAC’s tour of Fiji, Australia and New Zealand.

Captained OMBAC; won the 1985 national sevens title and four fifteens crowns:1988, 1989, 1991, 1993.

Career contextOMBAC playing archiveView archive ↗

Toured Europe in 1985; captained the Junior Eagles against Japan in Dallas in 1986.

Four tries on the Grizzlies’ 1986 Argentina tour; captained their 1988 South Africa tour, beating Orange Free State and Natal.

Played Sydney 1986,Hong Kong 1987 and Moscow 1988.

Career contextMoscow tour collectionView archive ↗

Try-scoring debut against Tunisia; played all three 1987 World Cup matches; captained five Eagles games.

OMBAC MVP in 1988–89 and Most Valuable Back in 1990–91; national championship Most Valuable Back in 1988–89.

Scored a short-range second-half try in the Eagles’17–7 win over Romania in Moscow, alongside fellow OMBAC forward Bill Leversee.

Built Snake River’s championship programme:265–59, 15 regional titles,five Final Fours and the 1996 national crown.

USA sevens coach 1993–96; Grizzlies 2007; USA Falcons 2008.

In OMBAC’s alumni interview, recalled the championships and the senior players’ responsibility to lead and execute Bing Dawson’s plans; confirmed coaching Snake River since 1993.

Inducted into the US Rugby Hall of Fame.

Joined RuggaMatrix America to discuss leadership, self-evaluation, loss, OMBAC and the USA in an extended interview.