National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) has announced that is has vacated the 2019 NSCRO 7s men's championship won by New Mexico Highlands.

The Vatos team was found to have used ineligible players during the 2018-19 season. As a result they have been stripped of their 2019 national small-college men's 7s championship, and are ineligible for postseason play for the 2020-2021 season. The Vatos defeated Claremont Colleges 17-12 in the final of the NSCRO 7s Championships, held in Chester, Pa. as part of the last-ever CRC tournament.

In a statement released today, NCR said, in part: "Critical to the growth and development is a strict adherence to all the rules of the game, not the least of which is the requirement that every club field a fully eligible team ... This sanction was necessary to ensure the competitive integrity of all NCR matches. The foundation of a level and fair playing field for all competitors is the honor and integrity of those playing. All NCR member clubs must uphold their commitment to creating such a playing field."