2004 INDUCTEES hall of fame inductees

In Picture: John McKenzie, David Cederlund, Julio Guemes, Jerome Hanafin, Timothy DeMello, John Walsh, David Mackay


First Babson Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Held at the 25th Anniversary of BURC on September 25th, 2004.

Timothy DeMello

Class of 1981

Tim ‘LD’ DeMello ’81

Founder, Fly Half, President, Captain, Coach, Player, Benefactor and Advisor.

Year #1, H.O.F. #1

Tim (left) receives his plaque from Ken Jasper.

Tim ‘LD’ DeMello ’81

Founder, Fly Half, President, Captain, Coach, Player, Benefactor and Advisor.

Year #1, H.O.F. #1

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.\"

Jerome Hanafin

Class of 1981

Jerry Hanafin ‘81

Wing Break, Relentless Attack, First to the Ball and Leadership by Example.

Year #1, H.O.F. #2

Jerry (left) receives his plaque from Tim DeMello.

Jerry Hanafin ‘81

Wing Break, Relentless Attack, First to the Ball and Leadership by Example.

Year #1, H.O.F. #2

Jerry was one of the most tenacious players ever to wear a Babson rugby jersey. Though quiet and reserved, when he stepped onto the pitch he made his presence known. With his quiet demeanor and crushing hits, sometimes seemingly from nowhere, he was dubbed "The Silent Assassin". Jerry was constantly around the ball, setting rucks, stripping the ball from opponents, blocking kicks, and finding his way into the try zone.

He was a total team player who would sacrifice himself on every occasion. Jerry had a natural talent for rugby and was smart beyond his years at the game. He made a huge impact on the team development, and became the standard for others to follow at his position. Jerry started his athletic career at Babson as a freshman on the varsity baseball team as a catcher.

However, in his junior year he ended up moving to Coleman Hall and rooming with Tim DeMello who was in the midst of starting the rugby club. Tim and Jerry had been on the baseball team together. It didn’t take Jerry long to realize that the sport of rugby was an even a better fit for his immense athletic ability. He left the baseball team as a solid catcher and quickly became an outstanding wing forward (Flanker). After college Jerry continued to play rugby for teams in the Boston area.

David Mackay

Class of 1983

Dave ‘Redwood’ Mackay ‘83

Officer, Captain, Diplomat, Coach, Player and Student of the Game.

Year #1, H.O.F. #3

Dave (right) receives his plaque from Steve Libbey.

Dave ‘Redwood’ Mackay ‘83

Officer, Captain, Diplomat, Coach, Player and Student of the Game.

Year #1, H.O.F. #3

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.

Julio Guemes

Class of 1984

Julio ‘El Tremende’ Guemes ‘84

Wing Break, Captain, Coach, Player, Consultant and Architect of the Pack.

Year #1, H.O.F. #4

Julio (left) receives his plaque from Nick Hathaway.

Julio ‘El Tremende’ Guemes ‘84

Wing Break, Captain, Coach, Player, Consultant and Architect of the Pack.

Year #1, H.O.F. #4

Having learned the sport of Rugby in Argentina, Julio was solely responsible for bringing Babson Rugby to the next level in the mid 1980’s. Although he was a fierce competitor with an unmatched tolerance of pain and sacrifice, Julio played with finesse and style. Listed as a wing break, Julio played every position on the pitch and was an excellent kicker. Quiet, determined and a total gentleman, his leadership was easy to follow. His presence on the pitch immediately inspired confidence and led Babson to a 17-0 blanking of Notre Dame in the final of the Division 1 Holy Cross Fall Tourney in 1983. Babson, significantly outsized, simply obeyed his instructions; “Follow me!” To this day the BURC is still following “El Tremende”.

David Cederlund

Class of 1986

Dave ‘DC’Cederlund ‘86

Lock, Number-8, Captain, Officer, Coach, Player and Iron Man.

Year #1, H.O.F. #5

Dave (right) receives his plaque from Steve Drew.

Dave ‘DC’Cederlund ‘86

Lock, Number-8, Captain, Officer, Coach, Player and Iron Man.

Year #1, H.O.F. #5

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.

John Walsh

Class of 1989

John ‘Dummy’ Walsh ‘89

Dominant Force in the Pack, Leadership Through Strength and Play.

Year #1, H.O.F. #6

John (right) receives his plaque from Rob Scheschareg.

John ‘Dummy’ Walsh ‘89

Dominant Force in the Pack, Leadership Through Strength and Play.

Year #1, H.O.F. #6

John “Dummy” Walsh was one of the most dominant players in New England during his four-year career at Babson. An A-side selection since his freshman year, John was an unstoppable target on lineouts, and tireless driver of the pack. An exceptional tackler whose unique ball-carrying style made him very effective around the attacking try zone.

He was twice selected to the All-New England select side, and was named co-MVP of the 1989 Rugby Imports Tournaments in Providence, carrying BURC to the championship that year. After graduation, Walsh continued to represent Babson Rugby as one of the early leaders of the Babson Rugby Old Boys men’s club team.

Walshy was a leader off the field as well. An active participant at socials and related activities, John represented the brightest of Babson Rugby. As a staunch defender of the sport and its players, John coined one of more memorable BURC phrases to an unapproving female bystander; “I can’t drink you pretty”.

Lee Nicholson

Class of 1995

Lee ‘Fireplug’ Nicholson, ‘95

Scrum Half, Captain, Coach, and Inspiration On and Off the Pitch.

Year #1, H.O.F. #7

Lee receives his plaque at the 2005 alumni game.

Lee ‘Fireplug’ Nicholson, ‘95

Scrum Half, Captain, Coach, and Inspiration On and Off the Pitch.

Year #1, H.O.F. #7

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.

John McKenzie

Class of 0

Duke

Advisor, Coach, Referee, Mentor, Historian and Friend.

Year #1, H.O.F. #8

John (left) receives his plaque from Ken Jasper.

Duke

Advisor, Coach, Referee, Mentor, Historian and Friend.

Year #1, H.O.F. #8

Having played rugby during his undergraduate years in Michigan and his graduate years at Amherst, Professor McKenzie gravitated quickly to the notion that a rugby club was being formed at Babson. He found Tim DeMello as he was starting the club and quickly recognized the momentum of what was being built. John became an advisor to Tim and soon thereafter joined practices to educate the club on the finer points of the game.

BURC was big and raw and enthusiastic but heavily penalized for basic mistakes. With John’s guidance, those problems were diminished significantly and the club’s performance improved dramatically. Known for his stylish trenchcoat, hat and thick glasses, John’s presence was always marked by a sophisticated explanation of the rules and the finer nuances of play (as only he could explain).

When he wasn’t refereeing games for BURC, he was stalking the sidelines, calling to the players, and pointing out details to those around him. Collectively, these appearances earned him the knickname of \"Duke\" from DeMello, a term of affection that the older players still use when they see him. Since 1979, John McKenzie has been a constant advocate for rugby on campus. He is a historian, a faculty advisor, a student of the game, a participant in the Rugby Alumni Council, and a tireless advocate for the club in every way.

John's efforts extended beyond Babson and he contributed his time and knowledge through NERFU as well. In 2000, John was acknowledged for his effort with NERFU and received the Dr. Robert L. Laurence Award, "In recognition of your outstanding dedication and devotion to the promotion and advancement of Collegiate Rugby in New England."

Team of 1979-1980

Class of 1980

Founding Fathers

Year #1, Team #1

Founding Fathers

Year #1, Team #1

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

Team of 1985-1986

Class of 1986

All Division I Wins

Year #1, Team #2

All Division I Wins

Year #1, Team #2

BURC was at it's pinnacle with an All Division I Schedule and undefeated in it's Fall Season