Contribute to the future of Rugby in Kansas City today!

The Kansas City Rugby Foundation is an IRS approved fully tax-deductible 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to the overall growth and development of Rugby in greater Kansas City.

“Philanthropy, charity, giving voluntarily…call it what you like, but it is truly a jewel of an American tradition.” — JFK

Our History

The Foundation was formed in 1992 as the fund-raising arm of the Kansas City Rugby Football Club to fill a void in the growth of Rugby in greater Kansas City, especially in the local high school and/or college arenas, and to help extend the Kansas City Rugby Football Club’s influence and growth, thereby allowing the Foundation to accomplish its missions.

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Our Mission

We are committed to expanding the sport of Rugby in greater Kansas City, especially the youth and high school levels. In addition to increased safety, awareness and education of the sport, we help grow the Kansas City Rugby Football Club and assist in charitable/community events. We are proud to offer and promote the Gerard Seymour Rugby Scholarship program.

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Board of Directors

Lee Walter

President

Lee is an independent businessman/marketing advisor and university professor at UMKC. Lee played with Kansas City Rugby Club for many years and still plays in the occasional Olde Boys game, especially in Aspen. Lee has been President for the last four years and brings a systematic, thoughtful, modern approach to the Board’s functions.

Jason Luzar

Vice-President, Finance

Jason came to us over twenty years ago from Back Bay RFC in southern California. He was first introduced to Rugby at Penn State University and spent a couple of years playing on a development side with the Hong Kong Rugby Football Club. He is an active owner in a professional services firm and a robotic automation business and is a member of the KCRFC Executive Committee. His duties with the Foundation are to help manage the finances including donations, expenditures, and budgeting. He is married to Stephanie and has three children. He still plays in the forward pack with Lee in an occasional Olde Boys game.

Sean Pickett

Vice-President, Legal

Sean is an attorney with a thriving practice in Kansas City and is the impetus behind the new Rugby stadium/commercial complex coming to the area at 80th Street between Holmes and Troost. Sean is a forward thinker who brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the Board. Sean actually played in a First XV match this season!

Tom Enright

Director

Tom is the retired national sales manager of an insurance marketing firm working with blue-chip customers and large mutual funds. Tom knows what is involved with running a business, developing loyal customers and an enthusiastic sales force, and providing real value for all those involved. Tom is actively involved with fund raising for his church as well as the Foundation. Tom initiated the idea to interview a former college athletic director for his thoughts about the Foundation and the Club assisting a local college or university hoping to start a new Rugby squad. Down the road this may prove invaluable.

Rick Houghtlin

Director

Rick is a retired sales/marketing professional with four years in the public sector and 44 years in the private sector. He has been an active member of the Club for over 48 years and formally joined the Board of Directors in 2015. He was the head coach of a very successful high school Rugby program for 12 years, taking those squads—noted for fundamentals, discipline and fitness—to the National High School Championships on six separate occasions.

Phil Taggart

Director

Phil served a combined 33 years active/reserve duty in the United States Marine Corps and retired as a Colonel in 2013. His rugby career started in 1979 at West Springfield HS in Virginia and has played around the world where stationed including for the All-Marine Select Side. He started with KCRFC in 1988 and continues to play olde boys with City and the Marine Corps Old Breed Rugby Club. Phil works for a major commercial real estate firm in Kansas City as the Operations Manager in property management. His youngest son is carrying on the rugby tradition at Wake Forest University.

Travis Wallace

Director

Travis has a BA in Public Relations and an MA in Organizational & Interpersonal Communication from Pittsburg State University. Professionally, Travis has been an executive leader of communication, culture, operations, and strategy for multiple manufacturing/design organizations. In 2015, he released his first fiction novel titled, PUZZLE. In addition to writing Travis enjoys cooking, wine, reading, and playing Rugby. He is married to his wife, Kathy, and has two children – Gannon and Abby, and two bonus children – Mason and Maguire. Travis played lock for Gorillahead Rugby while attending Pitt State, and has since played tournaments with the Silverbacks and KCRFC.

Let's get in touch

Have questions about the Kansas City Rugby Foundation or its affiliate clubs? Looking for ways to sponsor a student or donate to the organization?