The nominees for the 2024-25 Rugby Scholz Award as the nation's top male collegiate rugby player have been finalized.
The players, drawn from D1-level rugby around the nation, were nominated by a committee of coaches and observers. Now, fans and team leaders will have the opportunity to vote for the finalists.
This is the 10th year of the Rudy Scholz Award, given each year since 2016 by the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle, Wash., with a trophy presented at an annual gala event in Seattle. Goff Rugby Report Editor Alex Goff oversees the selection committee. The award is named after rugby legend Rugby Scholz, who played the sport at Santa Clara, was decorated in two World Wars, and helped the USA win two Olympic Gold Medals in 15-a-side rugby in 1920 and 1924. He was a successful attorney and dedicated rugby player who played his last game when he was in his 80s.
Members of Rudy Scholz's family have attended every awards event since the beginning, with his youngest son, David, attending each event until his passing in 2021.
Past Rudy Scholz Award Winners:
2016: Dyland Audsley, Saint Mary's—Capped Eagle
2017: Bryce Campbell, Indiana—Capped Eagle, captained the USA
2018: Connor McNerney, Navy—Currently serving in the US Navy
2019: Harley Wheeler, Life University—Capped in 7s, player for NOLA Gold in MLR
2020: Payton Telea Ilalio, Saint Mary's—Capped Eagle, player for San Diego Legion
2021: Emmanuel Albert, Lindenwood—Player fot the Houston Sabercats
2022: Larry Williams, Army—Currently serving in the US Army. Toured with US Military team.
2023: Lewis Grey, Navy—Currently serving in the US Marine Corps.
2024: Wyatt Parry, BYU—At BYU, injured much of the year
