Jan. 28, 2010
BERKELEY - The University of California rugby program lost two members of its teams from the 1950s with the recent passing of former New Zealand All Black Noel Bowden and Melbourne RFC's John Harrison.
Bowden, a fullback who came to Cal as a graduate student having already represented his home nation of New Zealand in an international test match in 1952, died Oct. 9, 2009, in the town of Albany, north of Auckland, at the age of 83.
Bowden was an all-around sportsman, excelling in the long jump and at tennis, and entered college shortly after serving in the Navy. He connected on a penalty kick to record three points as an All Black during a 15-8 win over Australia in Wellington.
Bowden returned to Cal 30 years after his graduate studies had concluded to serve as an assistant coach to Jack Clark. With Clark still relatively new to his duties as head coach, the California Rugby Advisory Board, under the leadership of Paul "Boomer" Andrew, brought in Bowden as a mentor.
"Noel was better than good as a coaching mentor. He was fantastic," said Clark, "always very direct and accurate in his advice, but at the same time such a warm and considerate man."
After his rugby playing and coaching careers ended, Bowden served as president of the Old Boys Association for his home club, Ponsonby, from 1999 until his death.
Harrison, known to his fellow Melbourne club members as Harry, succumbed to a long illness on Jan. 19 at the age of 75. He was a back-row forward at Cal as an undergraduate, where in 1957-58 he teamed with former All Black Pat Vincent as well as Frank Mattarocci, Bob Brooks, Ron Currie, Bob Chiappone, Jim Cullom, Tom Trutner, Dick Moneymaker, Jack Hart, Tom Fraser and Clark's future Cal football coach, Mike White, among others.
"Those teams must have been something," Clark said. "So many impressive men and they all spoke so highly of John Harrison."
Harrison went on to play over 400 matches and score 40 tries for his home club in Australia beginning in 1964. He added 243 conversions, 211 penalty kicks and a drop goal for a total of 1,259 points in his Melbourne playing career.
Cal rugby expresses condolences for the loss of these two members of the Golden Bear rugby family.
