Rugby was first introduced to El Paso by a British Army major at fort Bliss in 1972 but struggled to take hold.In1974 it was revived as a UTEP Club sport under the guidance of current Director of El Paso Area Rugby Union, Doug Park. UTEPs rugby success in the late 70's gained it national recognition after defeating several highly ranked teams. In 1978, the scorpions Club side was formed to accommo
date players from the community, military, and college coached by Doug Park. The club grew to 3 sides strong, dominating the Rio Grande Rugby Union that included teams from New Mexico and Southwest Texas. During these early years many Scorpions players were selected to represent the Rio Grande All Stars team, three went on to represent the Western USA, Delbert Arnold (1979), Doug Long (1979-80), and Doug Park (1976-87). Park was also selected to the USA Eagles National rugby team(1980-81). In 1981, the Scorpions experienced some growing pains and a split occurred creating the El Paso Outlaws Rugby Club run by Doug Long and Owen Raynel. This new team located in the Northeast attracting mostly military personal. As a result both the "Scorpions"& "Outlaws" rugby clubs struggled during the mid 80's. In 1986 a merger was negotiated between the two teams and Manny Friers was named head coach until 1987 when Doug Park returned to El Paso and became Head Coach. This was the beginning of the 'Scorpions' return to success as the team was able to regain its prominence in just three years. Since 1991, the Scorpions have dominated the Rio Grande Union Championships and won its' share of tournaments, including the prestigious High Desert Classic 4 times. In 1997, the Scorpions were fortunate to receive several experienced and dynamic players from the Las Cruces "Black Hogg" Rugby Club when the struggling team dissolved. These players provided the 'Scorpions" with depth and experience needed to take the club to the next level in USA rugby. In 1998, club president David Pearlman negotiated a unique agreement with the city of El Paso to lease historic Dudley Field, a 5000 seat stadium (now part of the El Paso Zoo). This unprecedented move would help the Scorpions attract quality teams, and recruit foreign players from major rugby nations to assist in the further grown of our club. In 2000, the scorpions hosted the Western Club Championships at Dudley Field, taking 5th place in the process and proving to USA Rugby Administrators that El Paso is a legitimate rugby community. In 2001, the El Paso Scorpions became a member of Major League Rugby (MLR), a competition that showcases some of the best teams and players in the country. The Scorpions give up their lease to Dudley Field at the end of 2001 season to enter into a mutual agreement with Ft. Bliss to build a rugby field of dreams. This beautiful rugby complex at Armstrong Field was ironically the first home field of El Paso Rugby in 1972. Bliss was one of mutual benefit. providing the scorpions with a quality facility to develop local youth, high school and club rugby and to also develop a military program for Ft Bliss under the Scorpions leadership. (We lost the use of this field after the floods in 2006). Spring 2003 saw three community based Under 19 / High School teams emerge under the guidance of the Scorpions coaches, Doug Park and Owen Raynel .These teams were the Canutillo Barbarians, Westside Crusaders and the Northeast Rebels. The Westside Crusaders won the first ever Rio Grande Union School Championships in Santa Fe, NM on May 17th, 2003 defeating Los Alamos, NM 38-12. In 2004, the El Paso Youth Rugby Foundation was founded to provide support to youth rugby organizations in the El Paso, TX. and surrounding areas east and north of the city into New Mexico. In 2010, the El Paso Area Rugby Union (EPRAU) was founded to guide the El Paso youth Rugby Foundation and Rugby El Paso.
