Beloved Coach, Mentor, George Betzler Has Died

A hugely respect rugby mentor Betzler coached the USA Men’s National Team, the USA All Stars, the USA Maccabi team, and was on the USA Men’s Team Selection Panel for years. 

He was also extremely influential in the development of many other prominent players and coaches, including Emil Signes, who developed the Atlantis program.
He was inducted into the US Rugby Hall of Fame in 2016.

“George was an icon in American rugby and loved and respected by everyone who knew him or met him,” said US Rugby Foundation COO Jon Hinkin.

Countless coaches and players know Betzler as a mentor and one who developed their love and passion for the game.

The subject of this article, longtime rugby coach tony Vegh, who started the St. Ignatius HS program in Cleveland, and played for Betzler at Philly-Whitemarsh, said that his proudest moment as a coach was when Betzler came to watch Vegh’s team play.

Said Vegh, who also played football at Cornell: “he was the best coach I ever had at any sport I played at any level.”