In Spring 2012, the Great Midwest Rugby Conference (originally named the WIIL Rugby Conference) was formed by joining D2 collegiate men's teams from the Wisconsin RFU, Illinois RFU, and CARFU. This was done partially to comply with USA Rugby's directive on forming conferences as well as increasing competition and enhancing the reputation of rugby in the Midwest. The Great Midwest Conference Champion receives an automatic berth to NCR Nationals and historically the conference finalist and 3rd place teams have also advanced to Nationals based on the competitiveness of the conference. In recent years, the Great Midwest added a Small College competition, has branched out into Iowa, and continues to add new teams to elevate our competition.
U. Chicago Squeezes Success into Tight Window
It's always a short and intense season for the University of Chicago men's rugby team.
Three Days, Two Massive Wins, and Northwestern Vaults to GMW Playoffs
Coming into this weekend Northwestern University had a huge mountain to climb.
With Loyola and Illinois State on the inside track to be the top two in the Great Midwest South, the Wildcats entered this weekend having to beat both of them to make the conference semifinals.
On Friday they took the first step, beating Illinois State in impressive fashion 44-17.
Around Men's D2 College Rugby: GMW, Northern Lights, NEWCRC, MARC
Scores are coming in this Men's DII College weekend and some major ramifications are underway.
Maine defeated Vermont 27-20 in the NEWCRC. Led by 22 points from Shea Wagner, who scored three tries and added two conversions and a penalty, the Black Bears put themselves in excellent position to win the conference.
Great Midwest Semifinals Close to Confirmed
In a way, the team that came out of this weekend in Great Midwest rugby action was a team that didn't play.
Major Challenges for Leaders in DII College Rugby
It's weird times in the NEWCRC.
After being touted quite heavily in these pages for its competitiveness top to bottom, the league has in fact split rather dramatically. The bottom half of the standings is now struggling and it's really a case of some teams going through some rebuilding at the same time that others are returning the majority of really good units.
