We're officially developing a dedicated rugby facility in Milwaukee and we need your help.
Please donate to fund the development of the facility. All donations will be matched up to $25,000.
Names of donors contributing $1000 or more will be permanently noted on the facility wall as a "Founder".
Daniel Robert Jones, a pillar of the Milwaukee rugby community and one of the earliest members of the Milwaukee Harlequins (now the Milwaukee Barbarians), passed away unexpectedly on April 6, 2025. He was 72 years old.
Dan was a standout athlete long before he donned a Harlequins jersey. At Pius XI Catholic High School, he was a state-champion wrestler. While at Marquette University, he competed as both a wrestler — captaining the team — and a rugby player, laying the groundwork for the physicality, discipline, and toughness that would define his sporting life.
He joined the Harlequins in the summer of 1975 during the club’s formative years. Alongside fellow Marquette alumni Joe McCook, Al Japely, Frank Fantazzi, Gabriel “Gabby” Landazuri, and Chuck Coakley, Dan helped solidify the roster when the club’s future was anything but certain.
His presence both on and off the field helped lay the foundation for what would become one of the Midwest’s most enduring rugby communities.
Known for his hard play and cool head, Dan was the kind of teammate who made others better just by being on the pitch. He played second row, anchoring the pack with teammates Mark Gabrich (1955-2009), Mike Gabrich (1959-2024), and Mark Krenek — collectively known as “The Jones Boys” — whether or not they shared a surname.
In 1978, Dan was honored as Rugger of the Year, a testament to his impact as a player. He was elected club president the following year in 1979. He also returned to Marquette to coach the wrestling team, continuing his leadership from the sidelines.
One of his lasting rugby contributions was the creation of the Harlequins yearbook, a tradition that ran from 1975 through 1981 and preserved the club’s early stories, spirit, and sense of community for future generations.
Even after hanging up his boots, Dan remained an active and beloved member of the rugby family. He was a regular at Six Nations watch parties and was a constant at socials and reunions. He believed passionately in having a positive outlook for his rugby and wrestling teammates and friends.
Dan Jones was more than a teammate. He was a friend, a builder, and a keeper of the club’s soul. He will be missed deeply by all who had the privilege to play beside him, raise a pint with him, or hear one of his stories.
Fair winds, Dan. You were one of the originals, and you will never be forgotten.
