Pam Kosanke resigns as CMO of USA Rugby

Editor’s Note: The YSC team has had the pleasure of working with Pam on several USA Rugby events, Houston 7s, USA vs Ireland, Vegas 7s, etc. Our experience couldn’t have been better and we witnessed first hand the professionalism & respect that Pam brought to the game of rugby.

Her impact on rugby in the United States & beyond is immeasurable.  From a new USA Rugby website to the #Workforit campaign, by all rights the marketing was finally headed in the right direction! We wish Pam all the best and USA Rugby definitely lost a great asset due to a short sighted view of what “in the office” means. 

This story was originally broken on TIAR:

It happened quietly a few weeks ago, but This Is American Rugby has confirmed that Pam Kosanke has resigned as Chief Marketing Officer at USA Rugby in Boulder, CO (as of July 23rd according to her resignation letter). Pam put a positive stamp on the USA Rugby marketing effort during her tenure. Under her direction, an up-beat marketing push set the tone for a record-setting attendance in the Eagles’ close loss to Ireland in Houston, TX. Additionally, what may be her greatest achievement, the #workforit campaign, has definitely demonstrated to American rugby players and clubs what they must do to reach the upper rung of rugby in the USA.
In a statement to TIAR, Kosanke magnanimously said:

“I originally accepted the position with the understanding that I would eventually work remotely (from) where my family is in Minnesota. As the one year mark neared, I offered many solutions to Nigel which included frequent commuting, but he changed the deal terms on me and took the remote option completely off the table in the end. So I had no choice but to walk, unfortunately. I am very disappointed and sad to be leaving. This wasn’t my plan. Very difficult decision and its hard to leave a lot of vision and change on the table. But I am very proud of my team’s contributions over the last year and thankful for the opportunity. I wish USA Rugby all the best and have offered to consult as needed.”

That Pam leaves with a heavy heart is evident. She did not want to abandon those she served in the US rugby community, nor her team. Sometimes there comes a point in a person’s career where the give must equal what is received.

The former University of Michigan rugger and former Eagle has moved back to Minnesota to be with her family. We wish her the best and hope that someday she will continue to contribute to the positive promotion of American rugby.