Kutztown University won the 2013 ACRC fall championship and followed that up with a appearance in the final of the CRC 7s invitational in the spring - now they are looking to hit a similar double in 2014-15.

Despite losing a few big-time players, not least of which was All American lock Mike Lawrenson, the Bears are looking at their combined (7s and 15s) record of 54-2-1 was a jumping off point.

Optimism comes from a strong recruiting class, with over 20 recruited freshmen coming into Kutztown, Pa. to play rugby.

The players come from all over - 14 different US states and five different countries. Leading the was is former HS All American Nu’u Aiava, a small, exciting wing who has spent the past season playing with the San Francisco Golden Gate club. Then Fitou Fisiiahi, like Aiava, originally from Hawaii, is a former HS All American, too.

While Fisiiahi and Aiava are high-profile recruits, they aren’t the only ones. Maxim Bennett (Charlotte Catholic, NC), Nick Auvil (Calvert Hall,Md), Nick Hohlt (Fisher HS, Ind.), and Ryan Edwards (Jesuit, Calif.) will also join the Bears this season.

Returning also are Alex-Faison Donahoe and Robert  Stortz, who both lost time to injury last season.

Kutztown loses five starters, but with these recruits, and an undefeated 2nd side providing depth, they should be poised to make another ACRC run.

Their schedule isn’t easy, as the Bears begin with a trip to Canada to play Ottawa University and Algonquin University. Then they face Buffalo, Navy, Wheeling Jesuit, Iona, Maryland, Penn State, Army, St. Bonaventure, and AIC.