Oct. 7, 2008

BERKELEY - The national champion Golden Bears rugby team took the field at Memorial Stadium during halftime of the Oct. 4 California vs. Arizona State football game to culminate a series of events marking the University's third annual National Championship Week.

"This is wonderful recognition for our rugby team," said head coach Jack Clark. "It's also really good to have the graduated seniors back on campus for one last celebration. Seldom have a group of seniors made the impact of these lads."

The Bears came away with the 24th title in team history when they defeated BYU 59-7 on May 3, ending their 2008 season with their 16th crown in the past 17 years as Clark won his 20th championship to end his 25th year as head coach.

The Rugby Bears were joined during National Championship Week by men's water polo, which won its NCAA-record 13th crown with a repeat victory over USC; men's freshman eight crew, which edged rival Washington at the 2008 Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta for its second national title in a row; and individual champions Katie Morgan, who won the pole vault at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships; and Tim McNeill, who finished his Cal career as the most decorated gymnast in school history after repeating as NCAA champ on both the pommel horse and parallel bars for his fourth and fifth career national titles.

In its history, Cal has now claimed 76 national team titles in 13 different sports and 198 individual, relay and tennis doubles titles. In all, Golden Bear student-athletes have captured 127 individual national crowns in the sports of men's and women's track & field, men's and women's tennis, men's gymnastics, men's and women's swimming and women's golf. Additionally, Cal boats have had 35 national champion crews since 1928, and the Bears own 23 national relay titles in track & field and swimming, and 13 national titles in tennis doubles.

Other events connected to National Championship Week included the unveiling of a national championship display case complete with photos, trophies and other memorabilia at Memorial Stadium's Hall of Fame Room, followed by a reception at the home of Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau and Mary Catherine Birgeneau on Sept. 30; and a Coaches' Round Table on Oct. 2, when coach Clark joined coaches from other national champions to share their experiences.

The 127th year of Cal Rugby kicks off in January of 2009.