Hudson's Joe Hathorne follows his rugby dream to San Diego
Every American athlete dreams of being drafted into the big leagues.
For Hudson native Joe Hawthorne, that dream came true last month when he was drafted by a new major league.
San Diego Legion of the Major League Rugby drafted Hawthorne, who played at St. Bonaventure University, in the third round with the 39th pick overall during its college draft Aug. 17.
"I went to the draft with no expectations," Hawthorne said. "I kind of let faith run its course. I'm very, very excited. I wanted to see rugby through as far as I can go."
A 2017 Hudson graduate, Hawthorne said he plans to sign a contract with the Legion in October. He said he has "no idea" what kind of compensation the contract will include, but that he does have a guaranteed roster spot.
"San Diego was one the main teams that was showing interest in me," Hawthorne said. "I wasn't sure I was going to get through."
A charter member of MLR in 2018, San Diego is the defending Western Conference champion. It lost the MLR championship game 25-24 to the New England Free Jacks July 8 in Chicago.
Though he is listed as a loosehead prop by MLR, Hawthorne said he's capable of playing multiple positions in the forward pack.
Hawthorne began playing rugby with the Hudson High School club. He also was a member of Hudson 2015 and 2016 state final four football teams.
"A lot of the football guys played rugby back in the day," Hawthorne said. "In the class of 2017, a lot of those guys played. I didn't get recruited to the play football. My rugby career kind of took off my junior year."
Hawthorne chose to play rugby at Life University in Marietta, Ga., which has one of the best programs in the nation. After graduating with a degree in business administration, he transferred to St. Bonaventure, where he earned his masters degree.
Hawthorne wasn't the only Bonnie drafted by MLR. Medina native Rick Rose was the No. 1 overall selection in draft, taken by the new Miami Sharks franchise.
"He's a very good leader," Hawthorne said of Rose. "I've been blessed with him as a teammate. He earned the right to be the No. 1 pick."
Hawthorne and Rose will play together once more before starting their MLR careers.
Both players will represent the United States at the World University Rugby Invitation Tournament Sept. 21 to 28 in Bordeau, France.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hudson's Joe Hawthorne drafted by San Diegeo Legion of MLR
