Marian University has announced that it will add rugby as a varsity sport for the 2020-21 school year, and has hired John Harley as the head coach.

"Rugby is a fast-growing sport, especially in Indiana," said Marian athletic director Steve Downing in a press release. "We're excited to open up this opportunity for student-athletes to compete at a high level in the sport of rugby, while receiving an outstanding education at Marian University. John Harley has proven himself as a great coach and he is well-known throughout the Indianapolis area. We're excited to watch this program grow under his leadership."

Harley is a veteran rugby coach from Fishers, Ind., and comes to Marian with nearly a decade of experience. He spent the last six years as the head coach of the Fishers program in Ruby Indiana's boys HS Super League. 

"I would like to thank my wife as she is one of the biggest supporters of my career," said Harley. "I also want to thank Brian Sweany for being instrumental in the push for rugby at Marian and lastly I would like to thank President Elsener and Mr. Downing for giving me this opportunity."

Harley also served as the Rugby Indiana All-Star Junior Varsity and Varsity coach from 2012-19. He also coached the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy Midwest select-side coach. 

Marian University is a private Roman Catholic university in Indianapolis with an undergraduate enrollment of around 2,400. 

"We want to compete at the national level," said Harley. "We're looking to recruit 30-35 players for the first season and will recruit the Midwest hard. If we can get kids from the Midwest then I believe we can be highly-competitive."