05/08/2026
The Breakers recently held their annual Red & Black match. Top finishers Jayden Pahler and Jake Cole took the lead, selecting from a pool of current and retired Breakers for what would be a physical and competitive intrasquad scrimmage. Jayden’s Red Team edged out Jake’s Black 38-35, with teams and spectators enjoying a beautiful day of rugby followed by an excellent social hosted by the Polish American Veterans.
The Wilkes-Barre Breakers Hall of Fame added three names to their pantheon, with the first being Joe Dettmore. Joe joined in the Breakers’ early years, serving as a lock on the pitch and Club President off it. As a career in broadcasting led him away from Wilkes-Barre, Joe’s support for the Breakers didn’t waiver. A fixture on the sidelines of both home and away matches, Joe is also a generous donor to the club’s activities. With soft spoken intelligence and a reverence for rugby culture, Joe achieved legend status among active Breakers for his musical talents and lyrical genius as one of Wilkes-Barre’s top songbirds. Joe proves that rugby is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen, putting the “class” in Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
The next inductee was a two-for-one special, celebrating a Breakers’ power couple on par with Ty and Ian. Kevin Wellard joined Wilkes-Barre after his Navy hitch ended, and the former wrestler developed a reputation as a solid tackler and an ironman. Whether traveling for 15s or summer 7s, Kevin rarely went without his then-girlfriend and super fan DeAnn. Kevin would serve as Club President, and when life made fulfilling his role difficult, DeAnn took over; a woman who had never played serving as the highest official on a D3 men’s rugby team. The couple stepped away for a few years to raise their boys, but in the ultimate act of service to the Breakers, they sacrificed their first born son to the team. Now in his 12th year, KC’s career is the direct result of Kevin’s coaching and DeAnn’s encouragement. That same support extends to the rest of the Breakers, whether it be through Kevin’s sideline lessons, DeAnn’s relentless cheering and “team mom” energy, or the fundraising they’ve done on behalf of the team.
