Vic Miller – Years Played: 1965-1982

The St. Louis Bombers want to begin to honor those who have helped pave the way for the club. Vic started his rugby career at fly half but moved into srum half where he became a staple of the team. Vic settled in very comfortably at . Vic lways enjoyed that wherever he went the Bombers were recognized as an elite organization and was always proud to be affiliated with the club.

• Age: 71
• When played: Vic played his first season for the Bombers in the spring of 1965, however he had been around rugby for a long time, even practicing with the St Louis Ramblers at the age of 13 in 1955 and playing some matches in his younger days with the now extinct St Louis Rebels. His high school football coach, Gene Gladstone played for the Bombers and because of that he was always around the playing fields.In the early 60’s Vic was part of the very first team at Truman State University in Kirksville MO, but had a tough few years getting matches due to player numbers and long travel times for games.
  Vic played competitively with he Bombers until 1982, and of course made several comebacks. Interestingly, Vic has played rugby in every decade since the 1950’S, and intends on keeping fit to be ready to play in the 2020s! That is legendary!
• Position: Scrum-half. Vic had actually started at Fly half in his first season until the current 9, his former high school football coach Gene Gladstone, retired. At that time Vic moved in and settled in very comfortably at the scrum half position with the task, as he described it, of simply “taking it from the forwards and giving it to the backs”.
• What did you enjoy most about the Bombers?: The camaraderie amongst the players was always very strong and is something that Vic really enjoyed. He also noted that whenever he would travel, no matter where it was in the USA, if he got in a discussion with someone who knew rugby, they would always be in awe when he said he was from the St Louis Bombers. There was a tremendous recognition for the club amongst the US rugby community as being an elite organization, with very dedicated and hard working members.
• What doing now?: Vic is now retired and enjoys spending time with his 6 grandkids, staying fit where he can and looking forward to his next chance to pull on the rugby boots.
• Other interesting stories or facts?: Vic recalled a couple of stories that demonstrate the great success of the Bombers back in the early 60s with mention of some fellow players from that time. Firstly, he mentioned that at the time he joined the team, the Bombers had no points scored against them in their previous season of 1964, and found it very amusing that there were players, such as Tom Rolf, who played an entire season having never received a kick-off!

He also mentioned a player and friend of his by the name of Cliffy who played hooker (and apparently was also a great dancer!) and Vic recalls that Cliffy had NEVER lost a hook, even when it was the other sides feed! That really is amazing.

Vic is seen in the picture in a trademark “flying scrumhalf” position distributing out to the backs against the now extinct Norsemen of North St Louis. The other Bombers pictured here from left to right are John Mowat and Deke Dicandia.