Men’s Division 1AA (D1AA) represents a highly competitive tier of collegiate rugby in the United States, featuring programs governed by both National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) and the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA). It serves as a bridge between elite Division I play and developing Division II or Small College levels, offering strong regional competition and a pathway to national championships under each organization’s structure. While NCR and CRAA operate independently, both use the D1AA designation for schools with established programs that may not have the depth or resources of top-tier D1A teams.
Revitalized Yale Shocks Ivies
The surprise of the DIAA playoff picture has to be Yale University, which came into the Ivy League play-ins as the lowest seed - so low, in fact, that they only made the cut because Columbia didn’t want to play in it.
And yet, Yale upset favorites Cornell 34-5 on Saturday, and then defeated Brown 18-13 to take the final Sunday.
UCF Wins SIRC
The University of Central Florida defeated Middle Tennessee State University 48-10 Sunday in the final of the South Independent Rugby Conference, securing a DIAA quarterfinal spot for the Knights.
Playing on the wide fields of Atlanta Old White, the teams had plenty of space to work with, and to guard, and it was defense that saw UCF through.
Ivies Figure it Out This Weekend
It’s play-in time for the Ivy League, as Brown University hosts three other teams in a two-day playoff to see who will represent the conference in the DIAA national playoffs.
DIAA Playoffs - Where we Stand
Time for another look at who is where and what’s what with the Men’s DIAA College Playoffs. (This story has been updated following April 1st's Arkansas v Oklahoma State game.)
East Bracket, Pittsburgh, Pa. April 25-26
Ivy League v Keystone Conference
