DAMI ODUNUGA
By way of South Africa, Dami is an explosive playmaker how would slice through gaps of his own creation. As a sparky scrumhalf he put the spring into the bok. The brotherhood would come to embrace Dami for more than just his footy skills. Dami carries the energy of a trailblazer who embarks on a path of his own making.
The Principia product brought a vintage style with a modern touch to Denver. From fashion to graphic design his artistic eye has led him into a burgeoning career. Yet, he’s not your average artist. During his stay he grafted in the high Denver sun rolling up his sleeves and working with a local Barbo moving company during the day. On his days off, he found work doing landscaping all over the Denver Metro.
On the pitch Dami found himself a step ahead of most. As a young talent, he took advantage of each moment in the way you’d expect any confident athlete would. Pushing hard for the final roster spot on the National team, Dami’s moment would come the following summer when he earned the honors as Back of the Year for Vail Mens Rugby Club.
After Dami’s summer campaign with the Barbos, he returned to school for his senior season. Since graduating first in his class, he found opportunity back in Colorado playing for Vail and thriving in a world class mountain town. Dami seeks to return to school to earn a Masters degree.
The brotherhood is proud of all the work Dami has done and will do.
DAKOTA SOUTHWORTH
Dakota Southworth. Iowa born and bred. Better yet, Corn and Bread. Loves to play rugby.
If we had the players write their own bio , Dakota would’ve stopped there. Men of action don’t need many words , and Dakota , is about action.
Hailing from the great plains of Iowa, he drove out to Denver with a partner in crime, Lane Pruisner, a fellow ICCC alumni. The two would share the master room at the RRS house and split a bunkbed strictly for the reason to have “so much more room for activities”.
Dakota came the for the rugby, and make no mistake , that’s what he did. While playing for the Barbos 7s, Dakota ran into some early obstacles dealing with injuries that held him on the sideline for the summer. But it allowed him to take time to get involved coaching the local high school program, North High School. Dakota led the team with fellow Barbo teammate Hunter Wade to their best fall record in years.
The man call “Chuck” found his way back to the pitch and made himself an irreplaceable starting flanker onto the Barbos XVs first side.
A key contributor in the rucks and a physical grafter in defense. Now back in Iowa, he’s found success a as a community leader building grass roots rugby. Now coaching for Iowa Central, Bremer County Bucks & the Iowa Selects, the fondly loved “Chuck” will be a central figure in Iowa rugby for many years to come.
DEVARIUS “BEANIE” MILLER
Beanie. The Danger Man.
He has earned many monikers during his time on the pitch. Yet all of which barely contain the explosive, electric, mystfying impact he brings each time he crosses those white lines. Upon arriving in Denver , Beanie was a known talent. A former Vato and South Florida phenom , he had a stint with the Barbos 7s and Denver Selects in previous summers. Beanie came in fresh with a championship aura earning a Division III National Championship with the Palm Beach Panthers. He carried this energy to the Barbos being one of the most reliable on-field players and leaders. When Beanie is playing, you know.
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.
JACK MCGINNIS
Jack headed west to feed an adventurer’s soul. He also came out to push his rugby boundaries and play Summer 7’s with the Denver Barbarians. The summer of 2022 proved fruitful for both goals. Jack quickly transformed as a player and a person. Whether it was running extra sprints post-training, or hitting the town and catching a live music show, Jack never passed up an opportunity to super charge his summer here.
His commitment to the community is equally impressive, as he regularly helped package and distribute meals for the homeless in the Denver / Wheat Ridge area. Jack’s dedication to mentoring young rugby players both on and off the field has continually shown through his rugby career. Upon his return to school he was selected as team Captain for the University of Cincinnati’s Men’s Rugby Club. The once tall and gangly 8 man filled out his Senior year and he became a feared strike runner on the pitch for the Bearcats.
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.
SEEKING AMERICAN RECRUIT FOR 25/26 CLUB SEASON
The Denver Barbarians and Rugby Rent Scholarships are seeking an American recruit for the 24/25 club season. Come enjoy a once in a lifetime experience in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
SEEKING INTERNATIONAL CARPENTER FOR LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE
Are you a skilled carpenter with a passion for rugby and an adventurous spirit?
The Denver Barbarians Rugby Club is looking for a dedicated tradesman who’s eager to spend a season in Colorado, playing high-level club rugby while contributing their carpentry expertise to local projects.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone traveling on a visitor visa, looking to immerse themselves in Denver’s vibrant rugby culture and enjoy the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains. You'll train and play with a nationally competitive club, meet lifelong friends, and experience the camaraderie of American rugby firsthand.
RRS: Year 1 Review
Nothing in life worth pursuing comes easy, but after the dust has settled on the XV’s season, we transition into our next round of scholarship recipients knowing year one was a critical (and crucial) resounding success. Here’s why …
Why, Rugby ?
It’s a genuine concern from a caring mother to a son, who has received a less genuine concern, “So, what is it that you do these days?” for the last 3 years of family gatherings. Now, that question, gets to me. When I hear it, it sounds like an insidious curiosity which sinks below the surface of pleasant interest and has more to do with how they evaluate their present understanding of the value I offer. Equally, quite as possible, it could just be my insecurities screaming over the answers I don’t have. I can’t trip over it though, because at the heart of the question is a human desire I’m all too familiar with: to understand that which we don’t.