In Memory Of
Former Foundation Team Players That Have Been Taken From Us Far To Early
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William P. Fitzpatrick (1943 - 2005)
On May 24, 2005, the WVU Rugby brotherhood suffered a tremendous loss when William Patrick Fitzpatrick, known to us all simply as Fitzy,died of cancer in Morgantown. Few outside of his immediate family knew that he was terminally ill, which is exactly the way Fitzy wanted it. He lived life on his own terms, and he went out the same way he lived. He epitomized the heart and soul of WVU Rugby both on and off the pitch. A unique and gregarious character who fell in love with the game at an age when most players contemplate retirement, he remained a WVU stalwart for nearly two decades as player, coach, referee, faculty advisor, and songster extraordinaire. He thrived on the camaraderie and spirit of competition that epitomizes the game of rugby, and he loved hanging out with the boys and swapping tales of past glories.
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Kimberly Ann Montesano (1980 - 2005)
(Pictured on Right) On January 3rd, 2005, Kimberly Ann Montesano passed away after a long battle with cancer. Kim represented everything that was right about WVU Women's Rugby both on and off the field. Having played 3 years (2002 - 2004), she was known for her extreme competitiveness on the field, as evidenced by her playing in Savannah's St. Patrick's Day Tournament days after being released from the hospital for radiation treatment, and her smile off of it. Kim played a myriad of positions but was primarily a scrumhalf during her tenure at WVU.
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Captain Garrett T. Lawton (1977 - 2008)
On Monday August 4th2008, WVU Rugby lost an alumni to the war on terror. Capt. Garrett T. Lawton, USMC Special Forces, played rugby for WVU. Garrett started his playing days at fullback, he then moved to flyhalf and captained the WVU backs from fall 97’- spring 98’. He graduated from WVU in 1999 and was a FA-18 weapons specialist and ultimately assisted his fellow Marines on the ground working with a Special Forces unit to call in air support. Garrett’s vehicle struck an IED on Sat Aug 2nd in the Herat province of Afghanistan. He held on for two days and died on Mon Aug 4th. Capt. Lawton's decorations include seven Air Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, a Navy Unit Commendation, a Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons and a NATO Medal. A Foundation has been started in his honor and should you like to donate, you can find the information at The Garret T. Lawton Foundation.
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Richard "Koon Dog" Koon (1950 - 2009)
Dr. Richard Ethen Koon, 58, of Weaverville, N.C., died on Monday, February 16, 2009, at his residence. Dr. Koon was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and was a son of Gladys Ogsbury Koon of Asheville, N.C., and of the late Dr. Ethen Sease Koon Jr. Richard graduated from Asheville High School, at which time was an avid competitive junior golfer. He received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University and went on to receive his medical degree from Duke University. He practiced psychiatry in West Virginia for several years before moving to North Carolina. During this time, he became a legendary early member of the WVURFC and the man who got many fine souls into the sport of rugby. In 1977 he founded the Charleston, West Virginia, Rugby Football Club.
