MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- U. S. Marine 2nd Lt. Sam Follansbee, a native of Annandale, N.J., and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, stepped out of the courtroom and onto the pitch to represent the Marine Corps in the 10th annual All Forces Seven-on-Seven Rugby Tournament in Glendale, Colorado, August 18-22.
Each branch of the Department of Defense was represented by a rugby team, as well as, some semi-pro teams from the United Kingdom and Canada.
“It was rough, but we played hard considering everyone on the team had only known and played together for a week compared to the other branches teams have been playing together for a while with some being semipro players,” Said Follansbee.
Follansbee grew up playing football as a middle linebacker he eventually played Division 1 football in college while at the University of Pennsylvania. He had never even heard of rugby until three years ago when Capt. John Webster, the Marine Corps officer that would help lead him to the idea of commissioning in the Marine Corps, introduced him to the sport.
Follansbee is currently in the Individual Ready Reserves until he finishes law school at George Washington, where he is the President of the Military Law Society. Follansbee was brought on to temporary active duty orders this summer to work at the Navy/Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, where he learned about the Marine Corps rugby team.
“I was working there on behalf of the Marine Corps and the Government to argue whether convictions at Court Martial are just, and while I was there, I learned that the Marine Corps rugby team was taking applications from Marines who wanted to try out, so I submitted one,” Follansbee said, “When I found out my application was accepted I requested to have my orders extended through the end of August, and set off to Colorado once the request was approved.”
Tryouts began Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 0900. The tryouts consisted of two daily practices, where players practiced ball handling drills, tackling, and endurance, weightlifting, and pool workouts.
“The practices were strenuous and hard, especially the pool workouts that left the body extremely sore,” Follansbee said, “The facilities in Glendale were exceptional and provided great amenities to help your body recover in between and after practices.”
When tryouts ended, cuts were made, and of the 21 Marines that flew in to try out, 15 earned a spot on the team, but only 12 Marines made the active roster. The team ranged from Marines of all ages and ranks from Lance Corporals to Majors.
“This tournament is important because it brings us all together, helps us realize what needs to be improved, and brings people together with familiar faces from the other branches and teams while helping build our small community. For players like Sam who are new to the military rugby community.” Greg Meloni, the head coach of the All Marines men’s rugby team, said. The tournament began on August 20, 2022, with the Marines first game being a win over the coast guard, but they lost the rest of the games to the other branches and a team from British Columbia and London in the tournament.
During the tournament, a ceremony was held, and players from each team laid wreaths in honor of fallen service members from each branch who played rugby in the past.
“The ceremony put the tournament, the sport, and being a Marine into perspective for me.” Said Follansbee, “I felt honored to be a part of the All-Marine team and to compete in that tournament. There’s more to being a Marine than just doing your job, and this tournament showed me that, and it gave me a greater appreciation for the sport and being a Marine.”