Robertson Announces Retirement
Full Press Release

May 06, 2011 (Knoxville, TN) Following the completion of his 34th year as head coach of the men’s rugby team at the University of Tennessee, Butch Robertson met with his team on Friday afternoon to announce his retirement.

Robertson steps down following a long and prosperous 34 year tenure as head coach of the Volunteers that included games in 19 states and an overall record of 751 wins, 321 losses and 26 ties. 

Under his leadership the rugby team enjoyed seven national tournament appearances, two South Territory championships and three Southeastern Tournament championships.

Robertson coached nine Collegiate All-Americans and three players that went on to play for the Eagles, the United States national team.
  
Coach Robertson began his coaching career at Tennessee in 1977, just seven years after the founding of rugby on campus. He led the Volunteers to unprecedented heights including participation in the inaugural Collegiate Invitational 7s Tournament and participation in the first year of the Collegiate Premier Division.

Butch Robertson was introduced to rugby as a young architectural student on the campus of North Carolina State University. After graduation in 1970 he played for 5 years for the Atlanta Rugby Club before taking on the coaching duties at Emory University (1975-1977). Coach Robertson moved to Knoxville in 1977 and found his way to Fulton Bottoms Rugby Field.

While Robertson is retiring from active coaching, he will assume the title of Coach Emeritus and will remain an essential part of the rugby program at Tennessee.

Alumni and friends that would like to send a congratulatory message and best wishes to Butch can reach him at: Email

A Message From Butch
“To everything there is a season...” 

That phrase with its scriptural origins and through its use in popular music has become a statement recognizing a time of transition.

It is a time for a transition in the University of Tennessee Men’s Rugby Club.

I have had the privilege of being the head coach for the UTRFC for thirty four years beginning in 1977.  It has been a time of much joy and a little heartache.  It has been a time of achievement both on and off the field.  It has been a time for the development of life long relationships and memories.

It is something which would not have been possible without the loving support of my wife, Rebekah and my children; Emily, Joanna, Adrienne and Kathryn.

It is now time to move on and let the next generation of coaches and leaders continue to build on the successes we have achieved in those 34 years.  Therefore I am retiring as head coach of the UTRFC.

I have the utmost confidence in the abilities of the men who are currently part of the coaching staff: Marty Bradley, Andy Allen, Mark Donaldson, and Dave Codevella.  And I am pleased that two others, Mike Weldon and Joe Seragusa will be joining them in their efforts to produce competitive teams and a positive experience for all who participate.

There may be some future role that I can play in support of the Club.  That remains to be seen.

But I will always consider myself as part of the University of Tennessee Men’s Rugby Club.