Arizona Names Recruiting Class
The University of Arizona has announced its 2014 recruiting class.
Head Coach Sean Duffy has cast a wide net to bolster the program. This 21-player class marks the largest in program history, fresh off their 2014 Runner Up finish at National Championships this past Spring and opening of their brand new Rugby stadium on campus named after the late Dave Sitton, who died in August of 2012.
This year’s recruiting class includes players from nine different states domestically, with student-athletes from three foreign countries joining the Wildcats. Headlining the group are players from two professional academies, with flyhalf Ben Crossley (Saracens Academy) and center JJ Fanucci (Stellenbosch Academy) teaming up with players from outstanding American programs like flankers Jake Rice and Bobby Chiovitti (Sacramento Jesuit) and lock Sean Coleman (Xavier High School).
Battle in the Bay Boasts Impressive Lineup
The "Battle in the Bay" college 7s tournament will pitch-up for its second year October 25-26 at Treasure Island in San Francisco, and will do so with an impressive lineup of teams.
Arizona, Oregon, University of British Columbia, University of Utah, and University of Washington all show up this year and fill out the field to 16.
"I am really excited about the high level and competition this year and due to this we are getting a lot of great feedback from USA Rugby and the local community," said Tony Samaniego, 7s coach with the host team, St. Mary's, and tournament director.
The tournament will also host a rugby college fair where representatives from various college admissions departments will be in attendance.
St. Mary's won the 2013 Battle in the Bay, beating Central Washington in the final.
Colorado State Hosts Camp with Canterbury Coach
Colorado State University’s Men’s Rugby Club has announced a player camp in conjunction with the Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) of New Zealand. The camp will involve CRFU coach Tabai Matson running the camp at CSU on the weekend of September 19-21. Matson is the current backs and assistant coach with the Canterbury Crusaders Super 15 team. The camp will expose players and coaches to a professional level of rugby preparation, from the perspective of a professional player and coach.
Young Stars Get 7s Look at Serevi RugbyTown 7s
BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby announced its three teams to compete at the 2014 Serevi RugbyTown Sevens at Infinity Park in Glendale Aug. 15-17.
27 Newcomers for Arkansas State
Arkansas State University Head Coach Mani Delaibatiki has announced a large incoming class of freshmen and transfers for the 2014-2015 season.
"Arkansas State University will be losing 13 players from last season due to graduation, and eligibility," said Delaibatiki. "Captain and All American Shaun Potgieter is part of the this class that have done so much for ASTATE Rugby, and our young guys will indeed have huge shoes to fall, but its a challenge I welcome as a coach, and I am sure the players will be up for it as well."
Delaibatiki said a new crop of 27 players seems large, but it's needed.
Grass is Greener at DartmouthPencil it in, Dartmouth men’s Ivy League Champions … While many in the Ivy League would beg to differ, the Big Green still has the strongest rugby program in the conference. Head Coach Gavin Hickie has announced Eagle 7s player Madison Hughes as captain, and while Hughes may be called up for USA duty during the fall, his influence, leadership, and play should help Dartmouth roll. Dartmouth have lost some important players, including speedy Kevin Clark, who is now working in New York, and the redoubtable Neil Greene. But they also return former USA U20 prop Chris Banks, recovered from an ACL injury. Growing into their roles include sophomore flyhalf Dawit Workie, who Hickies said “is a special talent,” who is fast, athletic, and learning to better take care of himself.
Joya Clark Joins Norwich Men Staff
NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Norwich University men’s rugby coach Bob Weggler announced this week that women’s rugby alumnus Joya Clark ’14 has been hired as the men’s rugby assistant coach for the 2014-15 season.
Clark begins her collegiate coaching career just three months after graduating Norwich as one of the most decorated players in collegiate rugby history. The Scotia, N.Y. native helped guide Norwich to a combined six national championships between 7s and 15s over her four-year career.
Arizona State Joins Varsity CupArizona State has joined the Varsity Cup, United World Sports announced today. The Sun Devils will compete in the single-elimination tournament next spring. “On behalf of the Varsity Cup universities and our commercial partner, United World Sports, I offer a sincere welcome to Arizona State,” Varsity Cup founder and Brigham Young Head Coach David Smyth said in Varsity Cup's announcement. “The Sun Devils are a rugby program on the rise, with strong support from their administration and local community.
Michigan State Names New CoachThe Michigan State University Executive Board has announced that they have signed on a new Head Coach for the men’s rugby team - Blake Bradford, DC. Bradford holds a Doctor of Chiropractic from Life University, and currently provides chiropractic services in Lansing, Mich. A native of South Africa, where he earned a bachelors degree in Sports Science from Stellenbosch University, he has played rugby since he was six years old. He helped the Setellenosch Maties to championship seasons during his time there, and was a huge part of the Life University men’s team that made the 2009 and 2011 Super League final, 2013 Elite Cup final, and won the national DI club title in 2013.
Sparks to Coach Michigan
The University of Michigan men's team has hired a new Head Coach, Brandon Sparks.
Sparks, who was coaching University of California - Berkeley women's team, and also led the Berkeley All-Blues to the 2013 Women's Club 7s National Championship, replaces Matt Trenary, who has had to step down, but is still working with the program. Originally from Michigan - he was captain of the Traverse City high school team (and a teammate of Eagle hooker Phil Thiel) - Sparks said the decision was an easy one as it meant he is going home.
"I'm a product of the state-based organization - Michigan was one of the first," Sparks told Goff Rugby Report. "So it's pretty cool to go from playing in MYRA as a high school kid, and then Western Michigan, and then a men's team, and then to come back and coach. It's close to a dream job for me."
Grand Canyon to Start Rugby with Over 50 PlayersTe grand experiment in Arizona is underway, as Grand Canyon University begins a full rugby season under the auspices of the Athletics Department. GCU’s rugby team isn’t technically varsity, but it’s as good as, and already has become a big part of the school. Ryan Kelly and Merrick Firestone have been hard at work putting together a rugby team, and the squad will number over 50 once classes begin. In fact, officially, GCU Rugby was supposed to start this fall, but so many students on campus last spring were interested, Kelly got permission to start working with those players early.
Aggies Move to SWCTexas A&M University has replaced Texas Christian in the ACRC's SouthWest Conference schedule. A&M Director of Rugby Craig Coates said the Aggies are always looking for games and as their squad grows ever larger, the SWC seemed a good fit. Lonestar Conference teams have such a busy schedule they don't have time for other games, which A&M was hoping would be the case. The Aggies are also expected to play in the Red River Conference with Oklahoma, Baylor, Texas Tech, Texas, and possibly TCU.
South Carolina Late Additions to Academic AAs
Two University of South Carolina players have made USA Rugby’s Academic All American team.
Those two players were not named in the original list, but qualified and have been recognized by USA Rugby.
Central Washington Starts Varsity Season
Central Washington University looks to be in solid shape as the wildcats look ahead to the NCRC season, the Varsity Cup, and maybe something else.
The newly-varsity program is seeing a little bit of a change in how they do things, said Head Coach Tony Pacheco, and the changes are a little surprising. CWU has been, for years, one of the colleges that has taken 7s most seriously. And yet, Pacheco said the Wildcats will cut back a little on the 7s this fall.
The Northwest Collegiate Rugby Conference’s fall schedule is exclusively 7s until very late in the year. But it’s also a given that CWU is the strongest 7s team in the region. And with the USA Rugby College 7s Championships not to be played until late May, Pacheco has decided not to look at the fall 7s season as the be-all and end-all.
