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Coach Bios
January of 2003 marked a new beginning for the Town of Zionsville...the sport of rugby was introduced. It was started at the high school level for boys as part of a 12 year old state-wide youth program of the Indiana Rugby Union.
In January, 2004, both the high school girls team started as well as a 5th/6th grade team.
In January, 2005, a 7th/8th grade team was started.
Fortunately, Zionsville appears blessed with a plethora of good resident rugby coaches. Hence, this program will undoubtedly excel.
Below are the bios of all the current coaches.
Larry Shiller has been a resident of Zionsville since 1994 and is currently living in the Village with his wife and 12 year old son. He is currently a Regional Sales Manager for MicroMetl Corporation. Larry started playing rugby in 1972 in Youngstown, Ohio, where during his 8 years there he was Treasurer for 2 years and President for 2 years. He then played at the University of Illinois for 5 years where he also served as an assistant coach. He has two international rugby tours to his credit. Larry brings stability and vision to this program not to mention his knowledge of backs play.
Evan Williams has been in the Zionsville area since 1985 with his wife and now two children. Evan is currently retired after 33 years of engineering at Allison Transmission, but now doing IT work for small companies. He started playing rugby in 1969 at IU during which time he was the main organizational force for his 12 years there. Evan has one international rugby tour to his credit. In 1980, Evan moved to Indy but continued with the direction of the IU program including setting up and maintaining a worldwide communication network of IU rugby alumni. Due to his great influence with the IU rugby program, in 1998, IU dedicated their rugby field in his name. Evan brings a good general knowledge of all rugby strategy to Zionsville as well as his organizational skills and stature within the Indiana rugby community.
Jeff Franciskovich has been in the Zionsville area since 2000 with his wife and two children. He is currently a Medicinal Chemist at Lilly. Jeff started playing rugby at Northern Illinois University in 1986. After 4 years there, he continued his studies (and rugby) at Purdue for 2 years. Jeff came to Indianapolis in 1993 and played for the Indianapolis Rugby Club until last year when he served as President of the Club. He has one international tour to his credit...including being named "Man of the Tour." Fortunately for us, Jeff also has high school rugby coaching experience (at Brebeuf). Jeff brings great knowledge of pack play to Zionsville as well as a great knowledge of the entire rugby community in the Midwest.
Len Erickson has been in the Zionsville area since 1995 with his wife and two children. He is currently a professor at the IU School of Medicine. Len started playing rugby at Florida State University in 1972. His profession allowed him to also play/referee at George Washington in DC, Old Red Club in DC, the Potomac Rugby Union, and the Chicago Area Union. Len has evolved his game into refereeing to the point he was Chairman of the Chicago Area Rugby Union for 3 years. Good referees in rugby are always highly regarded and sought after. Being new to the game as all high school kids are, learning the proper rules is paramount. Zionsville is fortunate to have the caliber of a referee as Len is...to help teach proper rugby play.
Adriaan De Villiers just came to Zionsville this year, 2008, and made an immediate impact with the team being much closer in age at 23 and with his rugby knowledge and spirit. Adriaan started playing rugby at age 5 while living in South Africa. He played first for his school helping them win South Africa's Small-School Championship. Then while playing for a club side, he was captain while taking them to win their division. Adriaan brings considerable team spirit and tradition to Zionsvile.
Toby Miles was one of the original inaugural players in 2003 who after graduation coached the 5th/6th team at the Middle School. We are awaiting Toby's return to coaching anxiously!!
Erik Larsen was also one of the inaugural players in 2003...and actually was the main proponent in started the team back then. After graduation, Erik has helped out whenever he could with coaching of all teams here in Zionsville. It is hoped he can start more permanent coaching soon.
Chuck Deitzen has been a consistent organizer behind every team here in Zionsville and helps out consistently whenever he is needed.
Mike McCooey started from the beginning but is best known for starting a tackle 8th grade team and winning state back in 2006.
Collin Stroup, again, one of the inaugural players in 2003, Collin is back helping coach this current team. He is expected to become a co-coach with Adriaan next year.
Last Updated: 5-30-2008
