Great Midwest Rugby Conference | Goff Rugby Report

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. Since then they have branched out into Iowa, as well.

The Great Midwest Conference Champion regularly has teams go far in the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) national-level playoffs.

In recent years, the Great Midwest added a Small College competition, and now runs competitions in D2 and D3 (which is what Small College is now called).

Division: Men's D2
Division: Men's D3 (Small College)

Conference Website

Men's D2

Updated: October 12, 2026

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12.13.2016College Men

Top 50 Forwards - Fall DII

Goff Rugby Report has named its top 50 forwards in men's DII rugby for the fall of 2016.

This list is drawn from teams all throughout the Division 2 landscape. We will follow up with top 50 backs, and also top players from DIAA and DIA.

Look also for our end-of-the-fall awards.

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12.08.2016College Men

Whitewater Players Sound Off

The University of Wisconsin Whitewater won the national DII championship, and did so in impressive style.

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12.07.2016College Men, TV-Audio

Video - Men's Fall College Finals

Men's DII Semifinal: Furman v Minnesota-Duluth
http://www.therugbychannel.tv/videos/297176/furman-v-um-duluth#!

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12.06.2016College Men, Rankings

Men Fall DII College Rankings Week #9

This is the final Men's DII rankings for the 2016-17 season.

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12.05.2016College Men

Whitewater Wins DII

The time finally came, and in fact the time came with just a few minutes left in the first half.

This was the Men’s DII College final, and leading into halftime Wisconsin-Whitewater was leading 7-3. Only 7-3.

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Spotlight

Dom Besag

Position: Center

Team:Saint Mary's Men

De La Salle HS

Saint Mary's (Rudy Scholz Finalist)

USA U20s (Captain)

USA Men's National 15s Team (Debut vs Georgia 2023 at age 20)

Dom Besag vs Arizona 2026. Photo Rebecca Harper.

Spencer Huntley

Position: Scrum Half

Team:Cathedral Catholic Boys

As a 17-year-old Spencer Huntley required a waiver to play for the USA U20s, an indication of how he was rated in the USA age-grade pathway. He got that waiver and impressed for the USA U20s, and then moved up to the USA U23s. He led the San Diego Mustangs to a national HS Club championship in 2024.

He also played in the SoCal single-school league for Cathedral Catholic.

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Hope Rogers

Position: Loosehead Prop

Hope Rogers began playing rugby at age 16 in high school and continued to compete during her time at Penn State University. There, she won four National Championships, was crowned MVP on two occasions, was named to the USA Under-20s and earned Collegiate All-American honors for four years. Rogers was also an impressive discus player during her senior year in high school where she broke a school record and won Gold at Districts for the sport.

Hope Rogers is mobbed by her teammates after scoring the game-winner vs Australia in 2024. Photo World Rugby.

Michael Siano

Position: Wing Forward

Mike played for Life College, Philly-Whitemarsh and played for the USA National 7s and 15s teams in the 1980s and 1990s.

He was also part of the Atlantis touring side, playing 7s for the team in several around the world.

Siano & 1988 Hong Kong Plate Champions

Nathan Caruso

Position: Fly Half

Team:Villanova Univ Men

Nathan Caruso is a steady, smart fly half who drives Villanova’s attack with calm decision-making and a reliable skill set. He’s been central to Villanova’s success in the MARC, controlling tempo and keeping the team organized under pressure.

Villanova Flyhalf Nathan Caruso vs. UMBC

Tonga Kofe

Position: Prop

Team:Utah Warriors Men

Tonga Kofe is one of the most promising young front-rowers to come out of the American rugby pathway. A powerful and hard-working prop, he rose through the Utah Warriors development system.

Tonga Kofe for the Utah Warriors. Photo Utah Warriors.

Ray Santiago

Position: #8

Team:Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Men

Ray Santiago has emerged as one of RPI’s most influential forwards, a player whose size, athleticism, and rapid development make him stand out in the Division II landscape.

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Christy Ringgenberg

Position: Fly Half

Christy Ringgenberg is one of the most accomplished and versatile players to wear the USA jersey, earning recognition on the Goff Rugby Report All-Time American list for her impact on both 15s and 7s.

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Dakota Southworth

Position: Wing Forward

Team:Iowa Central Community College Men

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