The United States Military Academy rugby teams will be made varsity programs starting August 1.

The decision, made by the USMA Senior Policy Board, which is chaired by the Academy's Superintendent, Lt. Gen. David H. Hunton, Jr., comes on the heels of a disciplinary action against the Army men's team, an action that began in the spring of 2013.

At that time it became known that the players on the men's team were operating an email newsletter that circulated jokes and comments about the team, the players, and their friends and fellow cadets. Several of the comments were rude, offensive, and contrary to the policies of the Academy. As a result, the team was suspended, all players had to go through sensitivity training and other punishments, and Director of Rugby Rich Pohlidal lost his job.

Former Army Head Coach Mike Mahan was brought in to oversee the revitalization of the program, and as he did so, assuming that the team would remain a club sport, started a search for a new Men's Head Coach. But, then news came down that, perhaps in order to effect more oversight on the team, the program was being made a varsity sport.

The search for a coach is now on hold until the Academy's Intercollegiate Athletics department takes over in August. The women's team, which has not suspended or implicated in the 2013 scandal, will also be made varsity.

Currently Mahan serves as Program Director and Men's Head Coach. Former Eagle prop Bill LeClerc is the Women's Head Coach. There appears to be no indication of what changes, if any, will be made once the program turns varsity.

The men's team played a light schedule last season, although they were invited to the DIA playoffs, which they played in (a previous version mistakenly said they played in the CRC, which they didn't). They are expected to play a conference schedule this fall.