1975 Sexist OSU Newsletter
The Old Man, the newsletter of the Ohio State University Men’s Rugby club announced the formation of the Ohio State women’s team. Note the graphic illustration of a female player.
1977 The Pitch
The Tube and the Pitch, two different Ohio State Women’s team newsletters from 1977 show the grassroots organizing, bawdy nature of women’s rugby at the time.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
All donations made are tax deductible.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
All donations made are tax deductible.
Isabell Gibbon
Age: 24
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Job that pays the bills: Occupational Therapy Doctoral student at Northern Kentucky University
Rugby life:
Cincinnati – Walnut Hills Girl’s Rugby (2016-2018)
2016 D2 State Champions
2017 D1 State Champions
2018 Midwest Girls Rugby Champions
2016-2018 Captain
Ohio Celtic Elite (2016-2018)
2017-2018 Captain
Indy Speed All-Stars U18 (2018)
Captain
USA South U18 (2018)
Captain
Midwest Thunderbirds U18 (2017-2018)
Cincinnati Rookie Rugby – Flag & Girl’s Tackle Coach (2017-2018)
Cincinnati Wolfhounds Rugby Football Club (2018-2023)
2018 Rookie of the Year
2022 Captain
2023 Top 8 Finish at Nationals
2023 MVP
Pennsylvania State Women’s Rugby (2018-2020)
Cincinnati Kelts Women’s Rugby Football Club (2020-2024)
2023 Midwest Super Regional Runner Up
2022 & 2023 Most Valuable Back
2023 Match Secretary
2024 Women’s Vice President
2024 Back’s Selector
Midwest Thunderbirds U23 (2022 – 2023)
2022 LAU Nationals Runner Up
2022 & 2023 Captain
Midwest Thunderbirds Senior Side (2022-Present)
2022 & 2023 Mary Graham All-Stars Cup Champions
2023 Captain
Twin Cities Amazons Rugby Club (WPL - 2023 & 2024)
Ohio Indiana Elite U23 Coach & Manager 2024
2024 LAU – Cup Champions
Why we love Isabell:
"I grew up playing almost every sport available to me, focusing mainly on basketball until I found rugby. I started playing rugby in 2016 on Cincinnati’s inaugural high school girl’s rugby team. Once I started playing, I became immersed in the community. The rugby community was like nothing I had ever been a part of, and I was able to network to expand the opportunities offered to me. I have had the opportunity to play with, against, and for some really amazing people. These people and experiences have shown me what rugby really means, especially with the leadership positions that I have been fortunate enough to hold on a lot of teams. Rugby is more than the outcome on the field because it has not only challenged me to grow but also given me people who I would consider to be family. Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to head coach the Ohio-Indiana Elite U23 LAU team one year after playing on it. This really broadened my horizons to the other side of rugby that is beyond coaching - fundraising, networking, recruiting, evaluating, planning, and more. I am hoping for a long journey with rugby in the future, no matter my role. I do not know what it will look like, but I look forward to continuing to give back to the rugby community more and more."
All photos provided by the award recipient