Thierry Langlais

Testimonial:
Thierry Langlais…killer hooker, fearsome flanker, the ultimate spoiler, lethal in loose play, stronger than men twice his size, nimbler than most backs, party animal, everyone’s best friend, every opponent’s nightmare, …the ultimate Village Lion.

On the field, Thierry’s savvy and skill were unmatched. As a first team forward and later as a Lion Kings back, Thierry beguiled opponents with his experience, his versatility, his strength, and his ruthlessness.

Off the field Thierry’s intensity was channeled into a “joie de vie” that was legendary… …he didn’t just embody the social spirit of the club, he was the social spirit of the club. Never happy unless everyone was having a seriously good time, Thierry welcomed everyone and anyone with open arms, was always the center of post game revelries and was instrumental in building the reputation of the Village Lions as the most social team in the Metro Area.

Thierry always said, “I’m not French, I’m a Citizen of the World,” a sentiment that not only sums up the man, but also captures the spirit of the city, the club and the game we all love.

–Mike Bainbridge: friend, team mate and fellow citizen of the world!

Biography:

Thierry Langlais came to the States in 1985 for an education, but got wildly distracted by a punked-out former competitive water skier who later became his wife. College and mandatory military service interrupted Thierry’s fabled rugby career with Massy Rugby Club, where he played for the French Select Side, representing France in his division as a teen.

Fresh from his short tour of duty digging ditches in the French army, Thierry and Pamela returned to the States in 1989 and settled in NY. While she pursued her masters, Thierry cruised Greenwich Village looking for work, and ended up stumbling into the Red Lion and sharing rugby stories with Alan Whelan. He walked out with a new friend, a new job, and before long, a new rugby team.

Along with this charismatic Frenchman, Whelan formed the Village Lions. The first practice featured the two of them, plus Alan’s nephew and another guy whose name no one can remember. But the club grew, Thierry’s charisma essential to rounding up recruits, and success was within reach. Thierry played the game with an amazing combination of style, energy, athleticism and enthusiasm, and his infectious personality helped propel the Lions into the upper echelons of rugby in New York in a few short years.

Almost any place Thierry goes, he walks away with a new friend. He prides himself not on being from France or living in the US but being a “citizen of the world.” That spirit of worldliness and friendship was infused into the Lions team at its inception by Thierry, and remains true to today.

Tags: Hall of Fame