The Utah Warriors have added Blake Burdette to the team where he could make his Major League Rugby debut against the San Diego Legion on Sunday, February 17, 2019. The 39-year-old hooker/prop is 6’1″ and 247 lbs.
Blake was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but spent much of his life in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended Olympus High School in Holladay, UT and played rugby with Highland, winning two National Championships.
From 2001-2005 he attended the University of Utah, earning a B.S. in Economics. He was a walk-on to the football team in 2012 and by 2004 he played in every game. The 2004 team went 12-0 and won the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. He also played rugby and was a 4-time All-American in 2003-2006.
During Summer 2005, he was selected for the Collegiate All-Americans tour to New Zealand. The team played Massey University and the Wellington Old Boys.
Blake made his Eagles debut against Uruguay on September 30, 2006. He would play in 9 matches, his last one at the 2007 Rugby World Cup against South Africa on September 30, 2007.
Blake has had an extensive rugby coaching career. He was Head Coach of the University of Utah Men’s Rugby team from 2008-2013. He was an Assistant Coach for the 2009 Collegiate All-American tour to play the South Africa Universities. He was the Head Coach of Penn State University Men’s Rugby team from Sept. 2015 to Jan. 2017 and the Head Coach of Rugby Utah Selects in 2017.
Coaching accomplishments at the University of Utah include winning the first Collegiate Rugby Championship in 2010 and in the 2012 PAC 7s Conference crown.
Blake has also played club rugby with New York Athletic Club and is currently a player-coach with the Park City Haggis.
Blake has been integrally involved with Rugby in Utah and now he joins the Utah Warriors to play professionally in 2019.
