Fran Brunette

Head Coach – Team WI

Cell: 920-362-3414

Email: gbrugger20@yahoo.com

I’m the youngest of four and born and raised in Green Bay (Howard). I’ve played soccer, football, wrestling, track and rugby. I have four children who are involved in many activities. I married Tara in 2009.

I have worked for UPS since 1997. Now that I do not play rugby in the fall I spend a lot of time in the woods bow hunting. We enjoy skiing in winter and being outdoors in summer.

I have been playing rugby since 1994 and my past teams are: Green Bay Mavericks, Bay Port, Green Bay Celtics, Denver Barbos, Milwaukee Black and White, Men’s All Star teams: Wisconsin Select, Midwest select.

Helped create Pulaski Rugby in 1998 and have been the head coach since. Had the pleasure of coaching 3 state titles. In 2012 I was asked to lead our state high school all-star team and have been the coach since. 2013 Coached the national champion all-star team.

Was a key player in the development of the Wisco 7s Series for both boys and girls in Wisconsin.

My goal is to grow the sport, create well rounded athletes both on and off the field and have fun doing it!

Ed Borowitz

Fowards Coach

Playing history:
Oconto Hit Squad 2004 -2005
Green Bay Celtics 2005 -present

Coaching history:
Oconto hit squad 2005
Bad boys rugby/Green Bay leprechauns 2007- 2018

I am proud to be a part of a coaching staff not only dedicated to the growth top level rugby, but more so dedicated to the growth of young men, Badger selects is a family orientated team that instills core values into our players, in turn our athlete excel not only at rugby but in life. That is the real goal here, to lead and prepare young men for life.

Niel Mattek

Head Backs Coach

I am the oldest of four boys; all of which, along with our father, are rugby players. I competed in wrestling, football, baseball, track and rugby.

My rugby career began in 1999 as a wing for the Oshkosh Mighty Pigs. In 2006 I helped found the Sheboygan Sharks Men's Rugby Club. I started with that club at Outside Center and finished my competitive career playing flyhalf.

My coaching career began in 2001 when I was hired as the Assistant Wrestling coach at Lakeland College.

In 2015 my brothers and I started Chargers RFC, a HS Club rugby program. I am currently the Division 1 side Head Coach and am level 200 certified. I was also fortunate enough to coach Chargers RFC to the inaugural Wisco 7's State Championship.

Outside of rugby I am the proud father of my beautiful daughter, Taylor. Together, we enjoy movies, waterparks, traveling and chasing mature whitetails with the bow in fall.

Jody Rolf

Forward Coach

I was born and raised here in green bay. I’m a proud uncle of one nephew and 4 nieces all of which are top athletes in each of their respective sports. In my free time you can find me doing work on my hunting land, shooting and working on my bow, and hanging with family and good friends. Plus I watch a lot of rugby.

My rugby career began back in 1998 at UW Platteville. Since then I’ve played for West bend and Green Bay Celtics. The highlight of my playing career was winning the 1997 D3 Midwest national championship with my Celtic brothers.

Since then I’ve helped coach the DePere Red Dogs and Green Bay Leprechauns under two good head coaches. From there I started coaching with the Badger selects under Head coach Fran’s era.

Cole Coopman

Forward Coach

I work construction at Power Building and have played rugby since 2002. Teams played for: Pulaski Roos, Wisconsin u-19, Tempe Old Devils, USA u-19, Wisconsin men's selects, Green Bay Celtics, Milwaukee rugby club, Milwaukee barbarians. I’ve been a coach since 2004.

Chris Rogge

I moved back to Green Bay to attend high school at Green Bay Preble, I graduated in 2006, I played nose tackle for the football team and threw shotput for the track team until I found rugby.

I’ve been playing since 2005, I started on the Mavericks and played college rugby at UW-Stout before moving back to Green Bay where I currently play for the men’s team.

I usually go by the name Pudgie bunny.

Gabe Kinzer

I first started playing rugby in 2009 for Nicolet High School and also played with the Badger Select squad in 2013. In college, I continued playing and learning the game at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I currently play for the Milwaukee Rugby Football Club, and I am also co-head coach of Nicolet Legion Rugby.

This is my first year coaching rugby, and I look forward to instilling passion for the game in developing players. Rugby has been an important part of my life, and I want to see it continue to grow as a sport. I’m excited to be a part of the Badger Selects coaching squad, because it is a great program that can raise the level of play throughout the state. Outside of rugby I am an electrical engineer for Rockwell Automation. I enjoy watching movies, playing games, and reading.

Joe Garcia

I have a total of 8 years playing experience starting with Nicolet High School and Badger Selects. I then went on to play with Milwaukee RFC and The Milwaukee Barbarians while attending college at MATC studying nursing. I have been coaching for 6 years now for many Wisconsin teams including the Bruisers, Marquette University, Wisconsin All Stars, Stars Rugby and Badger Selects. In 2020 I started up the club’s Elite 7s side and have had great success in tournaments all over the country.

Outside of rugby, I am a married dog dad of two pit bulls and we are expecting our first child in May 2022!

Girls Coaching Staff

Betsy Wendelberger

My rugby career began at DSHA in the Fall of 2006. I played rugby for DSHA from 2006- 2010 and where I was part of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 First Place National Teams as well as the 2010 Third Place National Team. We also took home Four Midwest Championship Titles and Four State Championship Titles during my time on the team. I then went on to play at Marquette University where I held several leadership positions including Treasurer, President and Captain.

Upon graduating, I earned my level 200 coaching certification and went on to coach Marquette for a year. After my first year of coaching, I was offered the head coaching position for the Knightmares Girls High School Rugby Club in 2015 where I have been ever since. Additionally, I am part of the Wisconsin All Stars Traveling Team Coaching Staff.

For the younger crowd, I also run the Wauwatosa Flag Rugby program which offers the experience of rugby to students 2nd through 8th grade.

I have a passion for the sport of rugby and look forward to bringing my knowledge and experience to the Badger Selects Team!

Cassie McQuillan

Playing history:
Pulaski Flyers (2015-2016)

Coaching history:
Pulaski Flyers 2017- Present

I started my rugby career as the scrumhalf and captain on the original team for the Pulaski Flyers. I live in Pulaski with my boyfriend Ethan, our energetic puppy Rosie, and our curious bunny FIFI. On my free time I love to spend time with my family. I have 3 sisters and I am number 3 of 4. I enjoy spending time and spoiling nephews and nieces.

Kourtney Kreuger

I am the oldest of three kids and a Sobieski native. I graduated from Pulaski High School in 2016. Currently, I am attending the University of Wisconsin Green Bay majoring in Accounting and Business Administration.

I joined the Pulaski Flyers during its inaugural season and played as a full back. I began coaching for the Flyers in fall of 2017. During the summer, I play for the Pulaski Mob women’s rugby team. I look forward to watching the Flyers continue grow in their rugby knowledge and skills and I am proud to be a part of Pulaski Rugby!