Warren Muir Earns Another Hall of Fame Honor – This Time for Rugby
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Warren Muir is no stranger to Hall of Fame inductions, but this one comes from a different field—or rather, a different pitch. The former South Carolina Gamecocks All-American running back (1967-69), already a member of the University of South Carolina Association of Lettermen’s Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2003), is set to receive another prestigious honor. On April 19, he will be inducted into the USC Rugby Hall of Fame.
“I was kind of surprised when (USC Rugby) coach John Roberts called me,” Muir admitted. “It has been a while since I played rugby. I just loved the camaraderie of it.”
From Gridiron Star to Rugby Pioneer
Muir made his mark on the football field, rushing for over 2,200 yards and playing a pivotal role in South Carolina’s 1969 ACC Championship team. After a tryout with the New York Giants in 1970, he returned to Columbia for work, but his competitive fire remained. That’s when a former teammate introduced him to USC’s club rugby team—and the rest is history.
“Andy Chavous was a defensive back at Carolina, and we had a mutual friend hosting a Christmas party,” Muir recalled. “He asked me if I missed football, and I said yes. That’s when I learned about the rugby club. My first reaction was, ‘Rugby? What’s that?’”
Despite his initial unfamiliarity with the sport, Muir quickly adapted.
“I came to practice and saw a guy with a whistle, so I asked if I could watch. He said, ‘You can’t learn by watching!’” Muir laughed. “He told me to just get in there, and when you screw up, we’ll let you know.”
A Natural Fit for Rugby
The transition from football to rugby wasn’t entirely seamless—especially when it came to scoring.
“Very early on, I didn’t really know what was going on,” Muir admitted. “I made a good run in a ‘B’ game and just kept running through the try zone because I didn’t know you had to physically touch the ball down to score. I learned that the hard way.”
Muir’s hard-nosed football style made him an asset, but rugby required a new level of endurance. Unlike football, there are no helmets, no shoulder pads, and minimal substitutions—players compete for a full 80 minutes on both offense and defense.
“I liked it all,” Muir said. “You should really get in shape to play rugby, but I played rugby to get in shape.”
Leaving a Legacy in South Carolina Rugby
Muir quickly became one of the best backline players for USC Rugby, helping the team establish a 37-game home winning streak and competing for national championships. After his playing days at Carolina, he helped found the Columbia Rugby Football Club and later played for Greenville Rugby Football Club for over a decade, building a powerhouse program in the Upstate.
His passion for rugby extended beyond South Carolina. While working in France, Muir sought out a local rugby team and found himself surrounded by elite players.
“They sent me to France for work, and when I arrived, I asked if there was a rugby team in town,” Muir recalled. “They gave me a map, and that night, I found myself playing alongside guys who had been on the French national team. They had a good rugby team. I wasn’t even registered, but they eventually stuck me in a ‘B’ game because it didn’t matter.”
A Lifetime Commitment to the Game
Even after retiring from competitive play, Muir remained involved in the sport. He became a social member of the Augusta Rugby Club in the late 1980s and, after moving back to Columbia in 2019, reconnected with USC Rugby. In 2024, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Carolina Rugby Foundation.
Now, Muir adds USC Rugby Hall of Fame inductee to his long list of accolades. He will be honored as part of the Carolina Rugby Foundation’s second Hall of Fame class, joining Rick LeBel and Jeff Smolka at the Spring Awards Banquet on April 19 at the Campus Room at Capstone.
“I never expected this, but I’m honored,” Muir said. “Rugby gave me friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.”
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: 📅 Date: April 19, 2024
📍 Location: Campus Room at Capstone, University of South Carolina
🎉 Inductees: Warren Muir, Rick LeBel, Jeff Smolka
