Coaching Staff

Wes Fravel

Head Coach

Wes Fravel began his rugby career at Penn State University and discovered the Pittsburgh Harlequins in 1992. During his rugby career, Fravel trained under Frasier Grigor, Terry Ryland, Jack Clark, George Hook, and Eddie O’Sullivan among others. Throughout his rugby career he has coached with Fox Chapel High School, Slippery Rock University and has been a coach with Pittsburgh Harlequin Rugby since 2000.

Mark K. Connolly

Assistant Coach

Mark Connolly began his rugby career in the early 1970s, shortly after attending the University of Dayton. He joined the Harlequins in 1975 and has remained an integral part of the organization ever since. Connolly organized tours, and has traveled extensively overseas, representing the Harlequins from Bermuda and Mexico, to Europe and Australia. In the 1990s, Connolly transitioned from an active player to an even more active administrator with the Harlequins. As a member of both the Allegheny Rugby Union Referee’s Society and Midwest’s Referee’s Society, Connolly plays a pivotal role in game development throughout the Northern United States. For the past 10 years Connolly has organized programs and mentored teenagers in the Harlequin’s High School Programs. As Director of these programs, Connolly has seen hundreds of teenagers go on to play in college, and even return as mentors in their communities.