courtesy Vast Productions or vastaction.com

John Via is a titan in the pack playing mostly with the 35s but old enough to log time on the 45 side,too. John is quietly dedicated to The Cardinals. His professional work takes him all over the globe but he finds time to play rugby,stay fit,and remain active in supporting The Cardinals. John has been with The Cardinals Rugby Football Club since its inception;in fact,John came up with the suggestion to name the club The Cardinals in honor of the Virginia state bird. John is always fit,runs marathons,skilled intense competitor, good ball handler if you catch him in the open. John is so busy with the close contact stuff,however, you seldom see him snowbirding out in the open. Plays like a youngster,thank you very much. John represents the best in Cardinal Rugby.

PROFILE: Dr. John W. Via, III Positions played in order of preference: 4/5, 6, 7, 8 Age,weight,height: 46, 230, 6'4" Where raised: Alexandria, Virginia High School and Colleges: TC Williams High School University of Virginia Lamar University Drexel University Southern Methodist University Sports other than rugby: Rowing, Running (Half & Full Marathons), Duathlons and Triathlons Rugby Clubs and Honors: Current Clubs: Fort Worth RFC, Dallas Harlequins Gentlemen, Virginia Cardinals Previous Clubs: Virginia RFC, Bay Area (TX), Fort Worth RFC, Harvard Business School, SMU Cox Business School, Boston Irish Wolfhounds RFC, CNPN Enginyers, KC Blues Brothers, Texas Select Sides (DivI/II) and Old Boys, and Texas XXXs. Too many others to mention in a 30+ yr career of playing, touring and whoring at tournaments in the days before CIPP and USA Rugby. Virginia RFC: Virginia State Champions (Ed Lee Cup - 1981) Fort Worth RFC: USA Rugby Div2 Champions 2000, USA Rugby Div2 Final 4 (2001), USA Rugby Div2 Sweet 16 (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001), Texas Div2 Champions & Western Div2 Champions (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000), Texas Div2B Champions (1999), Texas Div3 and Western Div3 Champions 2008, USA Rugby Div3 Final 8 (2008) Boston Irish Wolfhounds: Northeast D1 Champions 2002, USA Rugby Div 1 Sweet 16 (2002) Former President Fort Worth RFC, Texas RFU Div2 Secretary, Western RU Treasurer, Certified Level 3 Coach Favorite teammate / Favorite Cardinal teammate - impossible to choose, I have been blessed to play with many outstanding players. Best professional rugby player: Martin Johnson & L. Dellagio Best mentor/coach: Coaches Boone & Yoast (TC Williams Titans); Reg Turner (Bay Area); Mike Kwedar, Buddy Taylor (Fort Worth), and Steve Teasdale (Boston Irish Wolfhounds) How did you get introduced to rugby: Undergraduate at University of Virginia Best memory in rugby - winning division 2 USA Rugby National Championship with Fort Worth, winning Aspen Tournament 35+ division two years in a row with the KC Blues Brothers over Aspen Favorite rugby Captain - Theo Van Wyk, Trey Harlin Best pitch you have played on - Gateway Park, Fort Worth Most memorable try, Most memorable match, most memorable moment during a match: Scoring winning try on final scrum vs. Grand Rapids in 2000 Division II National Championship, beating Aspen in two consecutive Aspen Tournament 35+ finals with the Kansas City Blues Brothers. Other Information: Vice President Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Operations, Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Adjunct Professor, School of Engineering, SMU

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