Tim was the creator and founder of Babson United Rugby Club in 1979. He was persuasive, competitive, organized and well connected on campus. Within 48 hours of declaring his intent to start a club, he had 35 players on the field ready to learn the game. Before the week was out he had that same number of deposits in full for uniforms and equipment.

BURC’s roster was a virtual who’s who on campus including varsity athletes, student business leaders, Resident Directors & Assistants, grads and undergrads, both domestic and foreign. It was a startup business venture complete with marketing, newsletters, branding, sales, enthusiasm, and of course, hard-hitting fun.

Tim didn’t want just a team though. He wanted to be the best and he scheduled Men’s Clubs in that first season. With additional training and time, Tim began to schedule college games but coveted the Division I ranks. He scheduled games with Harvard, Tufts, BU, BC, Brown and anyone else he could find. Every practice was physical and every game was a reach. His mantra became \"If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.\"

Dave Mackay was one of the earliest Babson ruggers, and nobody was more committed to the Club or to rugby than David. As a freshman he played prop. Sophomore year he was second row. Junior year he was a flanker, and senior year he played Number-8. Dave always gave 100% in every game and he had numerous concussions as a result. Dave continued his rugby career after Babson and played and coached in both Phoenix and Michigan.

He was Captain of the West Coast based Inland Pacific Team and was ranked 3rd (8 man) in the Pacific Coast trials. The two players ranked ahead of him were US Eagles. Dave actually played #8 against the US Eagles just prior to the 1987 World Cup departure. Dave played rugby for longer and at a higher level than any other Babson rugger we know. He always played his best in the really big games and then would be one of the last to leave the social. Dave was the type of guy you could always count on both on and off the field. If there was a hard or thankless job he was there to do it. He was always pushing the team and himself to perform at maximum potential. One of Dave’s nicknames was “Redwood” because he was so big and strong. His other nickname was “Stonehands” which is why he never played as a back.

Dave never, ever gave up and would push himself to the limit. During one game at Colby he suffered a fairly severe concussion but would not leave the game and kept asking everyone around him if we were winning or losing while continuing to play. Dave was always in every ruck and maul and you could immediately sense his presence as bodies started moving in the direction he wanted. Dave sacrificed his time and body for the good of Babson rugby. To this day the guy is a physical mess and he’s had to endure several back surgeries from old rugby injuries. His teeth are a mess too but they were that way before he started playing rugby so you can’t blame that on us.

David A. Cederlund, “DC” was a standout with the club from his freshman year onward. Quiet and personable off the field, tenacious and menacing on the field. DC initially played second row his first two years with the club, starting on the A side in the spring of his freshman year. He moved to become our Number-8 for his final two years with the club.

A vital part and leader of the infamous 85-86 year squad, of which he was Captain, he motivated our team and intimidated the competition. He kept an Eye on team on and off the field. Dave led by example on the field, dominating the pack and always the first to support the backs with his deceptive speed and nose shattering stiff arm. DC was as passionate about the sport and worked to gain credibility and the respect of the school administration during his tenure.

DC was instrumental in forming the Babson Old Boys, a team comprised of recent alumni, the oldest being Dave at 24 and signed us into an over 30 league. Dave took this opportunity to join the handsome men of the backs as an inside center and demonstrated once again his ball handling prowess and running ability.

Lee Nicholson came to Babson by way of the Isle of Man, a small island off the coast of Scotland. He attended the prestigious Gordenston Academy and played on the All England Under 18 Team. Lee chose Babson College specifically because it had a Rugby Club and we’re a better Club for having him. He led BURC with incredible field awareness, pin-point passing, and stones the size of William Wallace.

He could put anybody to ground, no matter how large or fierce. Lee was known for his prowess off the field as well. His unforgettable accent rang through in his singing and like the game itself he remained with the Club to the end. Playing Rugby, even in the most impaired condition, was very easy for Lee. As a competitor, Lee would use his cunning to get into the head of his opposing scrumhalves quickly, through punishing physical play and tricks he learned in the U.K.

In short, his ability to affect the outcome of games was nothing short of remarkable, and despite being 5’6” everyone looked up to him, Always. It has become BURC legend that on more than a few occasions, Lee stumbled down to what would later become The Charlie Harrington Memorial Field on late Friday evening in full rugby kilt so that he would not miss the match. Once, he did this not realizing the match was being played away, but the guys knew where to find him just the same.

Tim DeMello and his esteemed army of Founding Fathers who created Babson United Rugby Club in the Fall of 1979