The most influential person in club history: Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Football Club to honor late founder Stephen Sherlock

Stephen Sherlock, the vibrant founder of the Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Football Club and former Aspen ski instructor, passed away on Sunday, July 7, in Wimbledon, England. He was 92.

His legacy lives on through the club he passionately built and the countless lives he touched, according to team members.

The Gents are planning a memorial service to coincide with the upcoming Ruggerfest in September, a fitting tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on their lives and the sport he loved. 

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Buddy Ortega, a longtime member of The Gents and former announcer at Ruggerfest, knew Sherlock well. He shared plans for a special event during Ruggerfest in honor of Sherlock’s daughter.

“Sherlock’s daughter will be coming during Ruggerfest, and we are planning to hold an event at Eagles for all the players who played with Sherlock, and any other players who wish to attend,” he said.

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He mentioned that the event is open to the public, although the exact date is not yet confirmed. 

“I believe everyone is leaning towards Friday, (Sept. 20), during the Ruggerfest Tournament,” he added.

Ortega reminisced about Sherlock’s early days with the club. 

“A lot of people do not realize that Ruggerfest is older than The Gents. Sherlock, who is English, noticed that they were going to have a rugby-fest in Aspen,” he said, laughing and adding, “He threw together a group of guys and they played in basketball jerseys. It was quite the scene.”

Bronco Lane, a former Gents player who knew Sherlock well, recalled fond memories of their time together. 

“He was an intellectual. He could remember all the scores from past games and all the players,” Lane said. “He taught English and hosted a book club. It is all fantastic memories.” 

Lane also remembered Sherlock’s playful side, describing him as a prankster who enjoyed wine and a good time. 

“I was sharing some photos with friends when we were with Sherlock in France,” he said. “We were drinking and having a great time.”

Sherlock’s colorful storytelling, cheeky limericks, and spirited party games were legendary, showcasing his lively personality. His love for red wine and Scotch Whisky was well-known, and his daughter Nickie quipped in her father’s obituary that it might have been the doctor’s order to give up drinking that finally did him in.

“He was 92, man,” Ortega said. “Sherlock was just phenomenal.”

In 1968, Sherlock, who came to Aspen to ski, gathered a group of 15 men to form The Gents and worked with the city of Aspen to make Wagner Park the club’s rugby pitch. Many of the players were said to be a motley crew recruited from local bars, according to The Gents’ website. 

Since then, The Gents grew in notoriety and, by 1977, were incorporated as an official Aspen rugby team. They currently remain competitive, not only in Colorado but on the national level. 

Cam McIntyre, the former head coach who still handles logistics for The Gents, emphasized the significance of their rivalry with Vail.

“Saturday is our biggest game,” he said. Aspen hosts Vail Rugby Club at Wagner Park on Saturday. “We judge the season by our performance against Vail.

He noted that Vail is the club’s main rival, and their summer season, known as the Rocky Mountain Rugby League, culminates with the Ski Town Rugby Tournament, where they compete with rugby clubs from around the West. After the summer season, The Gents transition to Division II, a national circuit with the opportunity to compete in a national final.

McIntyre explained that the Division II season is split between the fall and spring. 

“The club’s goal is to reach the national championship and take steps to reach that higher level,” he said.

Head coach Ben Mitchell echoed the club’s ambitions and highlighted their strong start to the season. 

“We just started our season. We played a match in Willits, Grand Junction, and Steamboat so far,” he said. “We have been playing some good rugby.”

He added that while these matches have been tournament games with no official record, the team boasts 35 to 40 committed members each weekend. Looking ahead to the fall, Mitchell hopes for strong community support as they begin to compete at the national level.

In memory of Sherlock, The Gents will hold a moment of silence before Saturday’s game against Vail. Mitchell stated that club members who knew Sherlock personally would devise a plan on how to honor him during Ruggerfest, which Ortega is helping organize.

Recalling a passionate speech Sherlock once gave to the team during Ruggerfest 2017, Mitchell said: “Sherlock is the most influential person in the club’s history.”

Westley Crouch covers the City of Aspen and general reporting for The Aspen Times. He can be reached at 970-384-9124 or wcrouch@aspentimes.com.