GUS SOKOL
Gus arrived in Denver as a promising young talent with a focused vision of pursuing his rugby dreams to compete at the highest levels. He did not disappoint.
Sokol is an alum of the Midwest powerhouse ICCC (Iowa Central Community College) and is a versatile rugby player. His skillset is wide ranging having played amongst the pack in 7’s and in the backline as a skilled centre in XV’s. When arriving in Denver he mixed into the Barbos first side and brought electricity with bruising runs , silky passes , and enough gas to get around the edge. While in Denver , he earned his certificate in Personal Training and was working out of a local gym which allowed him to expand upon his passion living a holistically healthly lifestyle.
JOE GOLDBLOOM
Joe joined the RRS Brotherhood in the spring of 2022. After an initial introduction over the phone, Joe hopped in his Chevy Tahoe and drove nearly 500 miles for the Barbos spring tour in Phoenix Arizona. The dedicated big man and spiritual leader of the forward pack is the embodiment of what it means to embrace the Rugby Rent Scholarships spirit.
On the field, he brings an unwavering tenacity, leading the team to a XV’s Championship in the spring of 2023. In the summer of 2022 he was selected for the USA Maccabiah team in both 7’s and XV’s where he competed in the Maccabiah Games held in Israel.
Off the field, he has crafted his intrapersonal skills, which have translated seamlessly into his career as a behavioral health specialist at Denver Children’s Hospital. Recently he has begun a career with the US Coast Guard.
Joe’s dedication to mentorship and growth has created huge opportunities for himself and others. You can find him hamming it up at social gatherings, or just kicking back and playing some pick up touch. Joe has been a student and servant of the game and the rugby community is lucky to have him!
LUCA TANI
Luca joined the Rugby Rent Scholarships brotherhood in spring of 2022. The absolute unit of an 8-man is the embodiment of what it means to embrace the RRS spirit. On the pitch, he brings a relentless threat in attack, and simply ruthless ball-in-hand skills, both of which led the team to a XV’s Championship appearance in 2022 and then ultimately hoisting the hardware in spring of 2023. Previous to joining the Denver Barbos, he has played professionally in the MLR for the Austin Gilgronis and featured in the Bermuda 10’s Championship with the Miami Sun.
Off the field, he has honed his problem solving skills, which have translated seamlessly into his career as the handiest handyman you’ll find West of the Mississippi River at Rio Real Estate. His commitment to the community is equally impressive, as he regularly volunteers as a youth rugby coach, inspiring the next generation of players. Luca’s dedication to mentoring new recruits both on and off the field has helped the Denver Barbarian Rugby culture grow since his first Barbo cap in fall of 2021.
Now retired from playing, Luca gives back each month as a Barbo Booster. You can find him on a Saturday morning cheering the lads on and continually Bleeding Green.
CONOR O’BRIEN
Conor O’Brien is the keystone piece in the Rugby Rent Scholarship arch.
In fall of 2021, he threw his two pairs of underwear and socks into his sack and flew from New York City to a place he had never been. The Western Frontier.
Denver Colorado had called, and a young C.O.B. answered with a passion and hunger for new experiences. Conor had never left New York. As a city kid, all he knew was the concrete jungle of the Bronx. Here, in the foothills of the Rockies, his world was blown open by the vastness of the land.