Village Lions to Induct Collins, McJury, Luraschi Into Hall of Fame at 35th Anniversary Celebration

June 21, 2024

Meg Collins, Patrick McJury, and Clay Luraschi will be inducted into the Village Lions Hall of Fame during the club's 35th Anniversary Celebration on June 22nd at The District Bar & Restaurant located at 1679 3rd Ave, New York, NY. All three were standouts on the pitch and held key leadership positions off the pitch.

Meg Collins:

Referred to by most as simply “Collins”, she grew up in Queens and joined the Lions in 2005. She was part of a core group of Leonas that went on multiple DII National runs and made the jump to DI in 2010. She played both #8 and flyhalf, captaining the team from 2008 to 2013. Collins was named women’s player of the year eight times and played on the NRU Select Side. She also served the Leonas as Match Secretary and VP of Women. After retiring from active play, she became the Lions' Director of Rugby and has served on the Board of Directors.

“The Lions have given me some of the most treasured things in my life -- deep, life-long friendships as well as my wife and in turn my sweet Lion cubs,” said Collins. “Community feels more important now than ever and the Lions have been mine, for better or for worse, for over 20 years. They have given me, and continue to give so many, a place of genuine belonging.  I will be forever grateful.”

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Patrick McJury:

McJury played for Genesee Rugby Club, then the Rochester Aardvarks before heading to Wales to suit up for Llandaff North. He started with the Lions in 2006 and captained the team from 2007 to 2012. The scrumhalf led the Lions to the DIII playoffs in 2007, the DII Northeast championship in 2011 and 2015, and the National Final Four in 2015. He was also an active sevens player from 2006 to 2011 and joined the Lions board in 2008. McJury retired from play in 2017 after an impressive 11 seasons with the Lions.

“Being inducted into the Lions Hall of Fame is special,” said McJury. “To be recognized by the club for something one put so much effort and commitment into is just one more great thing this beautiful game has afforded me. I love the memories this club has given to me in return. Thanks to everyone I’ve been able to share time on and off the pitch with in the black-and-white stripes.”

Clay Luraschi:

Luraschi played for the Lions from 1999 to 2003 and 2006 to 2008. He made the Met NY Select Side and was Lions A-side back of the year in 2002, scoring 18 tries in leading the Lions to the Division III title. He played for the Philippines National Team from 2006 to 2008, earning four caps and recruited Expo Mejia, his coach for the Philippines, to coach the Lions in 2010. Luraschi was A-side backs coach in 2010 and interim coach for several games, leading the Lions to the Northeast championship. He also played in the U.S. Super League with San Francisco Olympic Club in 2004 and 2005.

“I’m humbled and honored by this acknowledgement. To be recognized by the team in this way means the world to me,” Luraschi said. “I’ve played many sports at many different levels and I’ve never experienced the meaning of team and family like I do with the Lions. It’s a very special thing this club has. It’s definitely one of its hallmark characteristics and what originally drew me to the Lions.”

35th Anniversary Celebration

UPDATE: Due to low interest we are no longer having the golf event

• Friday, June 21st: Lions’ Golf Outing at 5 Iron Golf (8pm - 12am, 1681 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10128)

• Saturday, June 22nd: 35th Anniversary Dinner & Hall of Fame Induction (7 pm - 11 pm, The District Bar & Restaurant)

• Sunday, June 23rd: Recovery Brunch at Bronx Brewery East Village (12 pm)

Click the link at the top of the page for information and tickets to these events!