Joe Kloiber began his playing career while attending Pharmacy School in Madison at the University of Wisconsin. Upon graduating in 1975, he and his wife Julie moved back to Milwaukee.
Joe — who jogged 3-5 miles each day — quite literally ran into the fledgling band of ruggers from Derry’s Pub while on a jog near his new apartment.
This coincidence “sealed” the success of the club.
Not only did Joe join Derry’s Rugby Club (as the Barbarians were then known), Joe actually knew the Laws of the game! He also brought with him a wealth of information regarding what the actual culture of a “rugby club” should strive towards from his years playing in Madison.
Much of this knowledge was created through UW’s long standing relationship with the Gorseinon Rugby Club. Located in south Wales, several Gorseinon RFC members had played in Madison during Joe’s time there.
As a result, the club formed an ongoing partnership with Gorseinon RFC that opened its doors for the Americans to learn the game of rugby. A tour was planned by the young club in the Fall of 1978 and the rest, as they say, is history.
Joe was a visionary regarding his understanding of how powerful touring was for the growth of the club. Joe organized a total 9 club tours of the British Isles, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. Invariably, he attended and joined each and every tour.
And if a teammate was short on funds, Joe was quick to reach into his own pocket to help.
Joe served in almost every role in the club over the years from player to coach and from event organizer to president. He spent untold hours organizing all aspects of the club, and promoting and working to grow the sport.
He also organized the very first Lakefront 7s rugby tournament in 1982. The event continues to this day, and has grown into one of the largest and longest-running rugby events in the country, impacting tens of thousands of people.
After a life-long commitment to the club, his role as one of the original members, and laser-focus on growing the sport and the club, Papa Joe is a well-deserving inductee inaugural into the Hall of Fame, Class of 2009.
