The son of an Army sergeant, Rick LeBel was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey but spent time growing up in Japan, Hawaii, and Alabama.
Rick enrolled at the University of South Carolina in Fall, 1970 where he met David Ansley while rushing for Lamba Chi fraternity. Ansley (a rugby player) invited Rick, Alan Andrews and George Fries (who would all become part of the same pledge class) to join the rugby team. They all did.
Coached by Dr. Jim Wynn, USC rugby fielded dominate teams in the early 1970s. They compiled an incredible 37-game home winning streak and competed for national championships. A new player, Rick (a wing-forward) was proud to make the starting side on some very strong rosters, which included 45 players.
Graduating in May, 1975 with a BA in international studies, LeBel played for Augusta and the Chicago Lions before moving to Atlanta in 1976. He played two seasons for High Country before joining Atlanta Old White.
Rick hung up his boots in 1984 and received a 2014 lifetime achievement award from Old White. He currently serves as an advisor to the Old White Board. LeBel is a founding member of the Carolina Rugby Foundation and through the years has helped organize USC’s annual alumni games. Rick also served on a committee that helped to bring the USA Rugby Sweet 16 and Elite 8 tournaments to Columbia in 2005 and 2006.
LeBel has been a steady champion of USC rugby for five decades. Popular and affable, he’s been a steady communication link between the team and rugby alumni from the 1970s and early 80s. Rick was a driving force behind the success of the 2024 inaugural hall of fame ceremony.
An investment advisor with LPL Financial, LeBel and his wife, Beth, live in Marietta, Georgia. The couple have two adult daughters and two grandchildren.
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