USC rugby founder Sandy Frazier passes

Foundation launches Frazier Coaching Fund to honor his legacy as first coach

The University of South Carolina Men's Rugby Club lost a piece of its soul and part of its history Monday with the passing of Sandy Frazier, the club’s founder and first coach.

Frazier passed away in his sleep Monday at a senior living facility near Memphis after a four-year battle with dementia.

A native of Philadelphia and a 1971 graduate of the University of South Carolina, Frazier was introduced to rugby at the age of 22 during his service at Philadelphia’s First Troop City Calvary around 1965. In 1967, he moved to Columbia and joined the Fort Jackson Rugby Club as its captain.

Sandy Frazier in action in 1968.

Fort Jackson’s roster quickly diminished due to the Vietnam War. So, Frazier turned his attention to a new pool of prospective players: the University of South Carolina. He met with administrators, attracted 20 new players (mostly from his fraternity), and the USC rugby football club was born, with Frazier serving as player, coach, and captain.

In 1969, while competing at a 7s tournament at Duke University, Frazier met Dr. James (Jim) Wynn, a seasoned rugby player who was planning to move to Columbia. The pair bonded immediately, and Frazier invited Wynn to join the Gamecocks.

After graduating in 1971, Frazier turned the coaching reins over to Wynn, married, and moved to Memphis, where he began a lifelong career as a successful homebuilder. In 1972, Frazier joined the Bulls/Old No. 7 rugby club and continued to be involved in the sport until 1991 and often returned to USC for rugby alumni events.

He participated in rugby tours throughout the U.S., England, Scotland, Wales, Australia, and New Zealand. Frazier was inducted into the Memphis Rugby Hall of Fame in 2019. In April, he was inducted into the USC Men’s Rugby Club’s inaugural Hall of Fame class with Wynn and Matt Godek.

Due to his declining health, Frazier was unable to attend the event but was represented by his daughter, Canby, and her husband, Scott Irwin. In addition to Canby and Scott, Fraizer is survived by daughters Morgan Frazier and Leila Frazier and two grandsons.

“We have lost a USC rugby giant,” said Carolina Rugby Foundation Chairman Robert Balmer. “His loss will be felt by all who have worn the garnet and black rugby jersey. Together, we extend our condolences and prayers to the Frazier family.”

One of the last photos of Sandy, proudly wearing his Hall of Fame jacket and holding his award.

To honor Frazier, the family encourages donations to the newly created Frazier Coaching Fund. The fund will support our head coach’s salary and stipends for assistant coaches.

“Our family has been overwhelmed by the outreach and affection shown to us by the USC rugby family. The Hall of Fame ceremony came at a very hard time for us, and it was so uplifting,” said Canby Frazier. “We are so proud of the program and the young men on the team. We encourage donations to this fund. It will honor my father’s legacy and support the program he loved so, so much.”

Those wishing to make a gift should visit the Frazier Coaching Fund webpage.

In the short term, the family is planning a private ceremony. A larger celebration of Sandy’s life will be held in the future, and we’ll share information about that gathering when available.

What others are saying

“Sandy always used to say ‘two practices, one game. If you don’t like it, leave’. I have used this quote so many times through the years.” – Matt Godek

"Sandy and I played beside each other from the time. I joined the club in 1969 for the rest of his career at USC. Sandy was very knowledgeable, and he was quick around the scrum. This was at the time of our formative years with the club. I think we improved with every match we played, and he was an important reason for that. It was a pleasure to play with Sandy on one side of me and Jim Wynn on the other." – Frank Walton

“Sandy not only recruited me but was a great mentor. He taught me the game and how to play the scrum half position so he could play in the back line since he loved to run and make things happen. I will always be grateful to him for bringing me into the Carolina rugby family and introducing me to lifelong friends.” – Paul Salvatore