Greg Hareld - Loc Vetter - TJ Reed
 |
Greg Hareld |
Greg Hareld was born in Warwick, Road Island on September 14th, 1960 and grew up in Tolland Connecticut where he played football all 4 years at Tolland HS. He is one of six children including 3 boys and 3 girls. Greg arrived at USD as a freshman in 1980 living at DeSales Hall 4th floor west with his roommate Bruce Tomlinson. He then moved in with Tim Kleier and Johnny Purcell (Founders of USD Rugby) his 2nd semester and from this point on Rugby became a passion. After that fateful autumn afternoon in 1980, where he met many of his longtime friends and rugby colleagues, it was clear the Sport of Rugby and the traditions of USD would be an important part of Greg’s destiny.
Greg played for the USD Rugby Team all five years from 1980-1985 as he earned a BA Degree in Political Science in 1985. Greg is acknowledged by all the players during these formative years to have been one of a handful of key players who were essential to the team’s success. With Greg’s talent and leadership, the team went undefeated in Collegiate play for its first two years, won the University Division of the prestigious OMBAC SD Tournament in 1983, and then placed third in the Tucson Tournament the following year. While playing for USD Rugby, Greg earned the Most Valuable Forward Award on three occasions and was the Captain of the Team for his last three years. During his collegiate career Greg was also selected to play for the prestigious representative side, the Southern California Griffins.
Following his graduation from USD, Greg was recruited by OMBAC and the Old Aztecs RFC. Selecting the Old Aztecs RFC, Greg went on to Captain the team to back-to-back Southern California Championships in 1988 and 1989. Over the ensuing years with the Old Aztecs RFC, Greg had the important distinction of being honored by the Team with multiple Most Valuable Player Awards - as both a Forward player and a Back player. The ability to play both positions (Backs and Forwards) proved Greg’s incredible athleticism and true value as a team player.His athleticism and rugby prowess carried Greg on to the highest levels of Rugby 7s competition, which became very popular in the US in the 1990’s. Greg was a standout on the formidable Rugby 7s team - the “Care Unit”, which competed throughout Southern California during this era of Rugby 7s competition. The Care Unit team’s highest achievement was to make it to the Pacific Coast Rugby 7’s Finals in 1988, which is the last step needed to qualify for the US National 7s Finals.Greg continues to play on the Ancient Aztec Touring Side.
Greg has two beautiful daughters, Chandler, BS Animal Science – University of Arizona, who is currently attending Nursing School in Phoenix, AZ. And Carly, a graduate of Christian High in San Diego. Carly, an accomplished equestrian, currently competes as an amateur on the National Level in Hunter/Jumper.Greg’s career in the music business also has rugby roots. He partnered with Nevin Kleege, SDSU and Old Aztec rugby, in the early nineties and founded a staging company in San Diego that still operates today. In 2010, Greg formed another partnership in the staging business and now oversees the national operations of the top staging company in North America.
 |
Loc Vetter |
In 1969, Loc Vetter was a PE major at UCLA. Had some classmates that played the intriguing sport of Rugby so he joined. UCLA had a strong program, run by Dennis Storer, later to be the first US National coach. Loc was, very much, a student and enjoyer of the game. Fast forward through 10 years of play, including several serious “social” tours, with UCLA and the Chicago Lions. He completed his BS in Physical Education, Masters in Kinesiology, and then Doctor of Medicine, all at UCLA.
After UCLA, Loc coached for 22 years: Loyola, Baltimore and then San Diego State, where he coached with Steve Gray, the now Eagle Hall of Fame flyhalf and teammate at UCLA. At SDSU they had a record during his five years of 113-12-1. They won the National Collegiate Championship, going undefeated, in 1987. Next it was the University of San Diego, where the team went from 0-8-1 to 8-0 and a Southern California Collegiate Championship. He coached the Southern California Collegiate Rep Side and then the Pacific Coast Grizzlies Collegiate rep side. He served as forwards coach for the Collegiate All Americans, under Jack Clark. In 1995 Loc and his new family moved to Annapolis, Maryland, where he ended up with the Naval Academy Men, as the backs coach. He then transitioned to the Naval Academy Women’s side, where, in three years, there were only 4 loses, and three trips to the collegiate final four. He has coached 22 All Americans, 7 Eagles, and one Barbarian.
During his coaching career Loc enhanced his coaching through continuing education. This included traveling to the New Zealand Most Promising Young Player’s Camp, obtaining certification from USARFU all three levels, and RFU, all three levels. He says he learned a lot touring with rep sides, to France, Belgium, Germany and South Africa, as the team physician. His five-chapter series on “Teaching the Game,” first published in Rugby, is still making the rounds.”
Loc is semi-retired from 35 years as an Orthopedic Surgeon. He now does medicolegal consulting and resides in Salem, Oregon with his wife Amy, and kids John and Shaun and have given them 6 grandkids. Loc and Amy refilled their nest with Sara and Lockie, now 18 and 17. Sara at UChicago and Lockie, graduating from high school this year, will be going to Willamette University in the fall.
 |
TJ Reed |
TJ Reed grew up in Alamo, CA with two older sisters and one younger brother. He played football and basketball for most of his life, but he never knew what a real sport was until his freshman year at USD.
T.J. Reed played at USD from 2011 to 2016. Over the course of his 5 year career with the Toreros T.J. received the following accolades: Rookie of the Year, Best Forward, and the MVP award 3 times. T.J. started every league game during his career at USD, and led from the front for every 7s tournament as well. He was also a key piece in USD’s historic run to the final 4 in 2014. He was known for his unstoppable running style and being a monster at the breakdown. Whenever the team needed a big play, he was up to the task. More than anything, T.J. was an incredible team mate. His jovial nature and friendly disposition could always be counted on to lift team morale.
T.J. retired from competitive rugby upon graduation, but continues to play in the USD rugby alumni game. He holds the rare distinction of scoring in every alumni game he has played in. T.J. now works as a software engineer for Workday, and lives in Danville, CA with his girlfriend Kathleen.