Joseph “Joe” Scheitlin
Class of 2001
For 20 years Joe defined the Minnesota style of Rugby and the concept of an offensive scrum half that would not be denied. As one of the two US Eagles that the Minneapolis RFC produced, Joe was unique in his ability to be the complete rugby player-fit, a relentless scoring threat on the ground and in the air and a savage tackler to the opposition. His career began at the University of Minnesota in1969 as a charter member in their inaugural season where he played until he graduated in 1973.During that period; the U of M RFC won 2 Big Ten Championships and a second place finish at the 1972 Mid-America Cup against the Chicago Lions. Joe played scrum half and led the lads with his foot and uncanny scoring ability .His next stop was Minneapolis RFC where he started a long and brilliant career at scrum half position on a career that spanned over 20 years, finally ending in 1997 as a member of the Metropolis RFC. During that time, Joe was an important part of the ascendancy of Minneapolis Rugby winning many tournaments including the Midwest, Minnesota, Aspen, Aquatennial, Schlitz, and Jesse James. Joe has been selected to so many Minnesota and Midwest Select Sides since 1973,they are too numerous to list .His selection as the first Minnesota US Eagle was in 1979 against Canada where he earned his International cap as a wing but was selected as a fullback. He also toured with the US Cougars to South Africa and "capped" on an unofficial US Eagles squad in a game against the Springboks. The Springboks saw his potential at a fourth position, as a center, and encouraged him to stay and play with them. Fortunately, Joe came home to Minnesota and led the Minneapolis RFC onto the Midwest Championship against the Chicago Lions and then to the National Championships at Dayton, Ohio in 1981. Joe continued to play with Minneapolis and various Select Sides through the merger with Metro and played well for Metropolis as part of a proud tradition until his retirement. Few players have so influenced the outcome of a game as Joe. Anyone who has played with or against him can attest to his effect on the game.
