Members of the United States Rugby World Cup touring party have one more item to add to their tour kit bag as the United States Rugby Football Foundation has provided each of the 45-member strong touring party with a copy of the book, Try for the Gold. Written by Mark Ryan, Try for the Gold recaptures the gold medal winning performances of the United States Men’s Rugby Teams at the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games.

The book follows the players from both teams and in particular Rudy Scholz and Colby “Babe” Slater. The book also depicts the many obstacles that both teams had to overcome both on and off the field to bring home gold.

The USRFF was able to provide 50 copies of Try for the Gold to the RWC touring party because of the generous donation from Jon Prusmack and American International Media (under whose umbrella RUGBY Magazine and RUGBYMag.com fall).

“I really enjoyed reading about the success that both the ’20 and ’24 teams achieved at the Olympic Games,” said USRFF Executive Director Brian Vizard. “I knew the teams faced adversity at both the Games but was astonished and inspired by what the teams overcame to win gold. The Rugby Foundation is happy to provide the books to the US team to take with them to the World Cup. Hopefully they too will find inspiration in reading the book. The USRFF thanks Jon and AIM for their support in this project.”

You can find out more about the 1920 and 1924 Olympic gold medal winning teams and purchase your own copy of Try for the Gold at www.tryforthegold.com.