Cal Varsity Rugby

Today, we remember Golden Bear and American hero Mark Bingham for the sacrifice he made 19 years ago on board United Airlines Flight 93. Below is a clip from the 2002 ESPYS when Bingham was named a co-recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award along with 3 other Americans.

Get to know the 2020 recruiting class as the Golden Bears welcome 14 freshmen to the 139th year of Cal rugby. #GoBears

This very good man left us last week. He just about never missed a rugby match, following the team throughout North America. Always great to see Jim in our hote...l lobby after a big victory. Over many years he enjoyed getting to know the boys and their parents. He was keen for kickoff and a cold drink afterwards. He will be truly missed. I offer our team’s and University’s deepest condolences to Virginia, Kate and Kathy. RIP Jim, you’re forever ours... James Faulkner Wiltshire February 29, 1932 August 20, 2020 Jim, known globally as Mr. Transportation, suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, from which he could not recover. He was born and raised in Martinsburg, WV and graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point in 1954. He retired as a Commander from the US Naval Reserve after serving for 28 years. A stellar international transportation career took Jim overseas with his new wife to the Philippines, Japan and The Netherlands with intermittent sales and marketing positions in New York, New Jersey and finally San Francisco. He lived in Orinda since 1988. While serving in the Navy, Jim met Elizabeth Ainsworth of Berkeley and they married July 14, 1956. Liz predeceased him in 2005. The Wiltshire daughters, Virginia and Kate, spent most of their younger years in the Far East and Europe before settling in Walnut Creek and then Orinda. An avid sportsman, Jim’s passions were sailing and rugby. Cal rugby. He was an encyclopedia of national and collegiate players in all sports, spanning decades. Jim is survived by daughters Virginia St. Jean (Ron) of Orinda, Catherine (Kate) Bridges (Monroe) of Fremont, grandchildren Caldwell (Cal) and Elizabeth (Beth) Bridges of Fremont and Kathy Enzerink, his companion and partner. Jim supported The Steinbeck House in Salinas, the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, Seniors Around Town in Orinda and Cal Rugby. Gatherings to honor and celebrate Jim Wiltshire are tentatively planned for Spring 2021.

The whole wide is #BearTerritory

Robert Paylor was a former rugby player for UC Berkeley, who suffered a traumatic injury which left him paralyzed. Through this difficult time, Paylor showcased... resilience and perseverance, as he was able to recover and graduate on time. To hear more about his story, tune in on August 8th for our live event! The link to register can be found in our bio! Link: https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLSch00jSoh0W13Jbq/viewform #tedxlive #uncharted #tedx #tedtalks #ted #slo #TEDxSanLuisObispo #ideasworthspreading #publicspeaking #tedxtalks #speakers #motivation #inspire #inspirational #motivationalspeaker #sanluisobispo #tedconference #technology #entertainment #design #greatminds #speaking

Cal rugby alumni Jim DiMatteo and Warren Spieker aim to give back to the program as the newest members of the Cal Rugby Advisory Board. #GoBears

We lost Pat Micco, a great Golden Bear yesterday. A big, tough, smart and honorable Cal man. We offer the Micco family our deepest condolences. Pat is binding ...at loosehead in the scrum assembly photo, along with Kiwi hooker Jeff Hollings, who later earned two international appearances for the U.S. The others in the photograph are Pat’s football teammates enjoying their second sport of rugby. Tighthead Ivan Weiss was a terror whether at inside linebacker or prop. Binding in on Pat’s flank is outside linebacker Rob Swenson, who went on to a Pro Bowl NFL career as a member of the Denver Broncos Orange Crush Defense. Packing at no.8 is future longtime NFL stalwart Dallas Hickman. RIP Pat Micco. Job done you good man.

Happy 4th of July from Cal rugby! #GoBears

I’ve got football, softball and track & field with me tonight, along with Athletic Director Jim Knowlton. Let’s talk Cal sports. #gobears

Though they never knew each other personally, their common bond as Cal graduates and rugby back row players led Stuart and Josie Shiff to name their endowment after American Hero Mark Bingham. #GoBears

#HappyFathersDay to all of the dads out there today!