(Numina Photo)

Buffalo, NY - The University at Buffalo Rugby Club is proud to announce that they have accepted an invitation to join the Rugby East conference beginning with the fall 2014 season. UB joins Wheeling Jesuit University, St. Bonaventure University, Iona College, and perennial rugby powerhouses Kutztown University, Army and Penn State as a full member of Rugby East.

"Rugby East is a great conference with some of the best teams in the country. It's a good fit for us geographically and is where we aspire to be competition wise." said UB Head Coach Mike Hodgins.

Playing in Rugby East this season, UB Rugby will be competing for a spot in the American Collegiate Rugby (ACRC) 15's championship tournament in the fall. The conference will compete in sevens during the spring.

"We hope our joining Rugby East gives New York State resident high school student athletes the opportunity receive a top quality public university education and play high level rugby" Hodgins added.

Club President Collin Olander agreed. "Playing in a conference like Rugby East will definitely be a challenge, but playing teams like Penn State and Army on a regular basis will make us a stronger team in the long run."

UB Rugby 2014 Rugby East schedule

Sep. 13 @Kutztown

Sep. 27 @Iona College

Oct. 11 Penn State

Oct. 18 Army

Oct. 25 @St. Bonaventure

Nov. 1 Wheeling Jesuit

UB will also travel to Columbus, Ohio September 6th to take on Ohio State in a non-league match, and are currently confirming other non-league matches to round out their schedule.