Experiencing Interruptions?

Organized Mayhem: The B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Story

Rugby is a sport, a culture, and a lifestyle. A highly physical sport that tests the strength, endurance, and fortitude of all who play.

Organized Mayhem: The B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Story is a compelling documentary highlighting decades of one of the best amateur rugby clubs in America. Founded during the 1960s cultural revolution in San Francisco, the B.A.T.S. players are engaging as they share their memories of their rugby life. This is a documentary about winners, unique adventures, and the camaraderie that develops among rugby players. It will make you laugh, cringe and say What?

  • Thia Markson
    Director
  • Thia Markson
    Producer
    The Best of Contact 13, The First Five Years, 60 minutes News Program
  • Lorraine LoBianco
    Producer
  • Dave Sheuerman
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • David Anderson
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Dave Yancey
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Don Guest
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Eddie" "Disco Donnie""
  • Skip Neibauer
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • John Jelaco
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Eric Test
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Denis Shanagher
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Jerry Walter
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Rookie" "
  • Willie Moore
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Mike Yancey
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Tom Klein
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Ambassador""
  • Bob Preston
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Jim Waste
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S Club President/CIA Operative"
  • Marc Passen
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Cutesy"""
  • Rich Horan
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Kirk Andrus
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Tyrus Gerlach
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Thia Markson
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Assistant Athletic Trainer/Historian"
  • Barrow Emerson
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Tom Pulliam
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Craig Young
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Clones""
  • Jerry Mosher
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Wade Killifer
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Killer""
  • Michael Stepanian
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Mr. Wonderful""
    Where the Buffalo Roam - himself as a drug lawyer
  • Mike Gridley
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Mr. Clean""
  • Jim Anderson
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Blockhead""
  • Joe Hamby
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Bruce Kelm
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Tom Relles
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Ruggles""
  • Peter Hewitt
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Tom O’Grady
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Neil Mahoney
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Steve Luber
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Mike Purcell
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Dan Songer
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Dan Sinclair
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Igor""
  • Jim McFadden
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Doc""
  • Jim Thompson
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Thomps""
  • Tom Blanchfield
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player "Botch""
  • Norm Allendorph
    Key Cast
    "B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Player"
  • Chris Layhe
    Film Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    56 minutes 47 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 1, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    16,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Digitized archival film
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Thia Markson

Growing up as an Athletic Trainer's daughter rugby is in my genes. My youth was spent on the sidelines watching my dad treat the injured players, getting them patched up and back in the game they loved. As a child I dreamed of the day rugby would be on TV.

As an adult, I worked for ABC News in Las Vegas and was nominated for a National Emmy for an hour-long special program I produced. I was fortunate to work in tv/film/video production in Las Vegas for 10 years and used my news production experience when creating my first documentary film, Organized Mayhem The B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Story.

Highlighting 50 years of the B.A.T.S. Rugby Club took a lifetime to create and eight years as a labor of love for the sport and those who play it.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Organized Mayhem: The B.A.T.S. Rugby Club Story is a first of its kind documentary of camaraderie, rugby culture and history, and international relations produced by two women. Combining archival footage and photos with players interviews that are funny and engaging, it invites the audience to be a part of the team.

It's not the typical "Underdog" sports story. This is a story about a time and sport that few in America knew until recently. America is just now discovering what the world knows, rugby is "A ruffians sport played by gentlemen."

This documentary highlights decades of one of the best rugby teams in American that paved the path for others to follow.