In 1995, Vassar College determined that the sport of Rugby needed a full-time head coach and conducted a national search. The retiring coach, Dennis Chanmugam, together with Andy Jennings, the Athletic Director, and a search committee decided upon Tony Brown who has held the position for the past 30Â years.
Â
He was the first full time coach for a women’s rugby program in the USA. He has coached both the men's and women's teams compiling 28 winning seasons of 29 for the women and 26 seasons of .500 or better for the men with 19 of them winning seasons.
Brown has amassed A-side records of 448-121-12 for women's team and 275-166-12 for the men's team. The women’s B-side is 108-52-20 and the men 46-70-4 over the same period.
Â
The Vassar Women have won the USA Rugby National Fall Championship in Division II four times, first in the Fall of 2018, defeating Winona State 50-13 in the title game. That year also saw Brown being named the USA Rugby Male College Coach of the Year. The women continued their winning ways earning titles in 2021 (versus Temple University 74-5) and 2022 (versus U.S. Coast Guard Academy 78-24). The women have entered the Beast of the East Tournament in Portsmouth, RI 16 times since 1995 and appeared in every final winning it 11 times and being the runner-up 5 times. In the fall of 2024, the women defeated Wiscosnin-Eau Claire to win the program's four national title.
Â
The Vassar Men have been regular playoff contenders and most recently won the Conference Championship in 2024 with victories over SUNY-Maritime College and in the final against Hofstra University. In 2002 and 2007 the Vassar Men won the Beast of the East Tournament and overall are 26-17-2 at this prestigious event involving up to 70 teams. This past year, 2024, the men finished runner-up in the top 7s competition and posted an overall 7s record of 14-4 in the spring of 2024.
Â
Prior to coming to the United States, Brown played in England for St. Luke's College, Exeter, and then Wasps. He represented the Southern Universities Athletic Union (UAU) and Public School Wanderers. Brown moved to the United States in 1984 and played for Northern Virginia (NOVA) and was selected to the 1985 Potomac Rugby Union (PRU) select side comprised of players from the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Brown retired from playing in 1986 following injury.
Â
From 1986-95 Brown coached the George Mason University men's team in Fairfax, Virginia, and compiled a 110-52-6 overall record with the A-side and 41-29-6 with the B-side. Brown's teams beat several eastern powers including Army, Navy, and Penn State as well as twice winning the St. Patrick's Day Tournament and finishing runner-up at the Cherry Blossom, West Virginia University, and Commonwealth Cup tournaments. GMU finished the 1995 season ranked No. 3 in the Eastern Rugby Union (ERU).
Women
Vassar College Women's Rugby
Founded 1980
Member of Metropolitan New York Rugby Union 1980-1991, 1997-2005, & 2010-2012
Member of New England Rugby Football Union 1991-1997 & 2005-2010
Member of Tri-State Conference Fall 2012-present
4 Fall USA Rugby National Division II Championships - '18, '21, ‘22, '24
14 Quarterfinal Northeast Rugby Union Playoff appearances -’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’10, and ’11.
9 Tri-State Conference Div. II Championships '13,'15,'16,'17,'18,'19,'21,’22, '24
3 Third place Northeast Rugby Union (NRU) Div. I finishes - '00,'01,'06
3 Fourth place Northeast Rugby Union (NRU) Div. I finishes - '97,'05,'08
3 USA Rugby National Fall Championship Northeast Region Div. I titles '15,'16,'17
Â
16 Tours - England ’85, England ’98, Ireland ’99, England ’00, Australia ’02, England & Wales ’03, Argentina ’05, England & France ’06, Bahamas ’07, Ireland ’10, Barbados ’11, Spain ’13, Trinidad & Tobago ’14, Hungary ’15, Spain ’17 & ‘23.
Â
10 Final 4 Northeast Rugby Union Championship appearances - ’97, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, and ’11.
Â
14 Spring Tournament Championship Titles - Stony Brook ’96, Stony Brook ’98, Beast of the East ’01, Beast of the East ’02, Beast of the East ’07, Beast of the East ’09, Beast of the East ’11, New Paltz Ruckfest ’15, Beast of the East ’16, Beast of the East ’17, Beast of the East '22, Beast of the East ’23, Beast of the East ’24, Beast of the East '25
8 Metropolitan New York Rugby Union Championship Titles - ’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’04, and ’10.
Â
7 Runner-up Spring Tournament finishes - Stony Brook ’99, Beast of the East ’00, Pittsburgh Classic ’04, Cherry Blossom D.C. ’04, Beast of the East ’04, Beast of the East ’06, and Beast of the East ’12.
Â
3 USA Rugby National Women’s Division I Sweet 16 appearances - ’03, ’05 and ’08.
3 Third place Northeast Rugby Union Division I finishes - ’00, ’01, and ’06.
3 Fourth place Northeast Rugby Union Division I finishes - ’97, ’05, and ’08.
5 USA Rugby National Women’s Division II Final 4 appearances - ’15, ’16, ‘17, ‘18 and ‘19
2 Northeast Rugby Union Championships - ’02 and ’04.
2 Second place Northeast Rugby Union finishes - ’07 and ’11.
1 Second place Tri-State Conference finish - ’14.
2 Tri-State Conference 7s Championship - ’16 and ‘17.
1 American Collegiate Rugby Association Final 4 appearance (Third place) - ’13.
1 American Collegiate Rugby Association Elite 8 finish - ’14.
1 USA Rugby National Women’s Division II Elite 8 finish - ’12.
1 USA Rugby National Fall Championship Runner Up - '17.
"The Vassar Women's team has been my pride and joy these past 30Â years and I have learned so much from these intelligent, broadminded and competitive women that I am a better coach thanks to their hard work and commitment."
Men
Vassar College Men's Rugby
Founded 1975
Member of Metropolitan New York Rugby Union 1975-2011
Member of Tri-State Conference Fall 2012-present
14 Tours - Ireland ’99, England ’01, Australia ’02, England & Wales ’03, Argentina ’05, England & France ’06, Bahamas ’07, Ireland ’10, Barbados ’11, Spain ’13, Trinidad & Tobago ’14, Hungary ’15, Spain ’17 & ‘23.
10 Metropolitan New York Rugby Union Playoff appearances - ’95, ’96, ’98,’ 99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’07 and ’11.
Â
10 Northeast Rugby Union Playoff appearances - ’96, ’98, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08 and ’11.
6 Runner-up Metropolitan New York Division II finishes - ’96,  ’98, ’04, ’05, ’07 and ’08.
4 Final 4 Metropolitan New York Division I appearances - ’99, ’00, ’01 and ’02.
3 Spring Tournament Championship Titles - Stony Brook ’99, Beast of the East ’02 and Beast of the East ’07.
3 Metropolitan New York Division II Championship Titles - ’03, ’06 and ’11.
2 Runner-up Tri-State Conference Division II finishes - ’12 and ‘14
1 Metropolitan New York Division I Championship Title - ’02.
2 Tri-State Conference 15s Championship Title - ’13 and ’24.
1 Tri-State Conference 7s Runner-up finish - ’16.
1 Tri-State Conference 7s Championship - ’15.
1 Tri-State Conference Central Division Runner-up finish – ’16.
Â
"I am so proud of the students I have had the privilege to coach as they have conducted themselves with dignity and honor on the field taking great pride in representing their college."
Brown has coached at the elite level winning the National Territorial Championship with the Northeast U.23 and Senior Women. He had the honor of working with the Atlantis 7s program taking a men's team to Spain in 2001. He is a World Rugby Level III and Australia Level II certified coach as well as having been a USA Rugby Coaching Development Program Leader and an IRB Trainer.
