The men's club was founded in the spring of 1959 by David Coughlin with support from J. Peter Pierson, the team's first coach.

The Williams Rugby Football Club (WRFC) was founded by David Coughlin '61 in the spring of 1959 following spending a year studying abroad at Glenalmond College, Scotland.

During the initial days of Williams Rugby, the college was reluctant to endorse and support the Club, so Pearson contacted his teammates at Huddersfield who provided the initial contributions of balls, equipment, and claret and gold uniforms.

[3] The WWRFC has a long-standing tradition of wearing their jerseys for the entire week prior to their annual game with Amherst.

The tournament is held in honor of John Donovan, a rugby alumnus of Williams College who committed suicide as a result of unresolved mental illness.