Lou Furlan
A 1968 original member of the Saracens RFC, Lou actually began playing rugby in 1965 at the age of 15. Starting at Wing and later Scrum Half, he continuously played first Division rugby for over 20 years and on 15 Premier Division Provincial Championship teams during that time. In addition, he was selected 15 times to represent Manitoba on various provincial representative teams and also to play against several visiting international teams; most notably Lliannelli and Lansdowne. Characterized by many an opponent as “the fastest guy in the league”, Lou was also chosen by the Manitoba Rugby Union to attend a special Welsh Rugby Union sponsored coaching program in Aberystwyth, Wales.
An all-round athlete, Lou excelled in every sport he undertook. While playing rugby, he was an important member of the University of Manitoba Bison Football Team for five years, during which time the Bison won a national “Vanier Cup” championship. He was the team captain in the final year of his football tenure, was the Men’s Senior Stick of the Physical Ed Faculty and was on the University track and field team, winning a CIAU indoor sprint relay championship. For many years he also played hockey at a high caliber, also winning an award for excellence.
As a rugby player, Lou was a quick, speedy, tough and an elusive back, that was extremely hard to contain, and a nightmare for the opposition. For a period of time he averaged three tries per game. Lou was also a tenacious defender and tackler, often taking down much larger players, to their chagrin. Clean, but tough and determined, he was respected by the opposition and teammates alike. Lou was an enthusiastic member of many talented Saracen touring sides all across Canada, into the United States (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Chicago, Dubuque), as well as New Zealand in 1980. His on-field tenacity and staying power was consistently demonstrated on those tours. This was matched with his popularity on the social side of rugby, as well.
Off the field, Lou served as both a Coach with the Saracens, as well as Club President and has served in many capacities in support of SNAFU, in addition to many other Club and Union events. As a coach, Lou coached at both the Club level and for 26 years at the high school level. He initiated the rugby program at Sisler High School, winning a championship with the men’s team and founding one of the first women’s high school teams. Following his years at Sisler, he continued contributing to youth rugby, coaching at St. John’s Ravenscourt for a further 22 years and was recognized and invited to run a coaching clinic at the University of Iowa.
Well-known and respected in rugby circles for his athleticism and his accomplishments as a player, as well as his many contributions and long standing support for the game of rugby at so many levels for well over 50 years, Lou is one of those rare individuals worthy of induction to the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame; and it is befitting that his induction occur on the 50th anniversary of the 1968 founding of the Saracens Rugby Football Club.
A 1968 original member of the Saracens RFC, Lou actually began playing rugby in 1965 at the age of 15. Starting at Wing and later Scrum Half, he continuously played first Division rugby for over 20 years and on 15 Premier Division Provincial Championship teams during that time. In addition, he was selected 15 times to represent Manitoba on various provincial representative teams and also to play against several visiting international teams; most notably Lliannelli and Lansdowne. Characterized by many an opponent as “the fastest guy in the league”, Lou was also chosen by the Manitoba Rugby Union to attend a special Welsh Rugby Union sponsored coaching program in Aberystwyth, Wales.
An all-round athlete, Lou excelled in every sport he undertook. While playing rugby, he was an important member of the University of Manitoba Bison Football Team for five years, during which time the Bison won a national “Vanier Cup” championship. He was the team captain in the final year of his football tenure, was the Men’s Senior Stick of the Physical Ed Faculty and was on the University track and field team, winning a CIAU indoor sprint relay championship. For many years he also played hockey at a high caliber, also winning an award for excellence.
As a rugby player, Lou was a quick, speedy, tough and an elusive back, that was extremely hard to contain, and a nightmare for the opposition. For a period of time he averaged three tries per game. Lou was also a tenacious defender and tackler, often taking down much larger players, to their chagrin. Clean, but tough and determined, he was respected by the opposition and teammates alike. Lou was an enthusiastic member of many talented Saracen touring sides all across Canada, into the United States (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Chicago, Dubuque), as well as New Zealand in 1980. His on-field tenacity and staying power was consistently demonstrated on those tours. This was matched with his popularity on the social side of rugby, as well.
Off the field, Lou served as both a Coach with the Saracens, as well as Club President and has served in many capacities in support of SNAFU, in addition to many other Club and Union events. As a coach, Lou coached at both the Club level and for 26 years at the high school level. He initiated the rugby program at Sisler High School, winning a championship with the men’s team and founding one of the first women’s high school teams. Following his years at Sisler, he continued contributing to youth rugby, coaching at St. John’s Ravenscourt for a further 22 years and was recognized and invited to run a coaching clinic at the University of Iowa.
Well-known and respected in rugby circles for his athleticism and his accomplishments as a player, as well as his many contributions and long standing support for the game of rugby at so many levels for well over 50 years, Lou is one of those rare individuals worthy of induction to the Manitoba Rugby Hall of Fame; and it is befitting that his induction occur on the 50th anniversary of the 1968 founding of the Saracens Rugby Football Club.