Many in Jacksonville have met resident Don Reordan through Jacksonville Physical Therapy, the clinic he founded with his wife, Lynn, in 1996. What most may not know, however, is that Don was a world-class rugby referee—and that he was recently recognized as one of the top American referees in the game by being inducted into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame.
Don’s rugby career began on the pitch in Southern California. He transitioned from player to referee after an injury in 1978 and embarked on a path that would mark him as one of the game’s most outstanding officials. He held an A-Panel rank—the highest possible—for 18 years, the longest tenure as a top-tier referee in American history. He refereed twelve international test matches from 1988 to 1997 in addition to twelve matches that involved national teams. He is the only American referee to officiate a men’s Rugby World Cup match, a feat he accomplished twice: in 1991 and 1995.
He served as president of the Southern California Referees Society and was presented with the Dennis Shanagher Award recognizing his distinguished service to American rugby as a referee. He served as an ambassador of the game championing referee development, assessment, and training for over 30 years. In 1997, Don retired from the game of rugby to prioritize family.
Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado was the site for the 2019 U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on July 26. The event was followed the next day by an international match between the USA Eagles and Rugby Canada. Drawing a record number of guests and attended by many of the biggest names in the history of USA Rugby, the dinner celebrated and awarded two young players, seven retired Eagles, and Don, the only retired referee. Don was introduced at the dinner by his children, Bret Reordan and Breanna Grigsby, who acknowledged their dad for his strength, discipline, excellence, and selflessness.
Congratulations to Don for his well-deserved recognition and induction into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame as one of American rugby’s finest referees.