Anderson Selected to Cal Athletic Hall of Fame

Published: Wednesday, 31. December, 1969 in category U.S.

Ned Anderson, who was pivotal in maintaining his Golden Bear rugby teams as the best in the United States as both a player and head coach, has been selected for 2011 enshrinement in the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame.

A 1967 California football letterman, Anderson captained the 1971 Rugby Bears on their tour of Australia and New Zealand, where they made their case to be ranked among the best in program history by winning six of nine matches. That historic tour included wins over Queensland University at Ballymore (11-9), New South Wales Country at Dalby (24-13), Australia Capital Territory at Canberra (12-8) and a narrow 12-10 loss to Sydney University.

Anderson also represented Cal on the all-University of California side that achieved a winning record on a similar international tour during the summer of 1970.

In 1975, at the age of 29, Anderson became the fifth head rugby coach in team history, succeeding the legendary Miles "Doc" Hudson. Anderson's teams continued Cal's winning rugby tradition through the '70s and, in 1980, won the first official national collegiate championship, beating Air Force, 15-9. Under his leadership, the Bears also won the titles from 1981-83 to make it four in a row.

In 1982, Anderson hired Jack Clark, one of his former players, as an assistant coach. After ending his head-coaching career with a 105-52-2 (.660) record, Anderson remained on staff as an assistant coach after Clark took the helm in 1984. Staying close to the program through the ensuing years, Anderson again returned to the staff as an assistant coach from 2003-08.

Ned, whose sons, Scott and David, also played rugby for the Bears, will join fellow inductees when the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame's Class of 2011 is recognized during halftime of the Nov. 12 Cal-Oregon State football game at AT&T Park.