Navy Rugby Officially Goes Varsity
Navy Rugby Officially Goes Varsity
The US Naval Academy has made it official and has added Men's and Women's Rugby as their newest varsity sports.
Men's Head Coach Gavin Hickie is now Director of Rugby, with Murph McCarthy running the Women's program.
The programs already have their rugby facility in the Prusmack Rugby Complex, and both programs have been successful on the national stage. However, Varsity status will provide additional support from the Academy, as well as the ability to tag applicants for the rugby programs.
"It's been the culmination of years and years of hard work," said Hickie. "And it's a dream come true.
See more of what Hickie had to say here:
The Navy Coaches Series: Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie#GoNavy | @USNAMensRugby pic.twitter.com/nepJVyJHbA
— Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) May 24, 2022
Navy's men's program finished 2nd in the Rugby East in DIA, going 4-1, with their only loss 24-17 to eventual DIA champs Army. The Navy women won the CRAA Fall Championship, defeating Davenport in the final. In the coming season, Navy will be competing in the newly-enlarged Rugby East, while Navy is expected to join the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) league of varsity women's programs.