Ave Maria University in Florida has started a varsity collegiate rugby program.
The men's team will start competition in the 2023-2024 season and they have hired Tom Dockery as Head Coach.
"The Athletic Department is thrilled to bring rugby under the umbrella of AMU Athletics," University Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Patterson said when the move was announced. "We are excited for the future of the program."
To kick off their recruiting, Ave Maria has already signed up with Next Phase Rugby, the app that connects college rugby programs with high school student athletes, with clear controls to protect young high-schoolers from unwanted contact. This app was developed with the consultation and advise of Goff Rugby Report.
To download the app, as a player or a college team, go to nextphaserugby.com.
A D2 college program in Florida, Ave Maria competes alongside club teams from Eckerd, FGCU, and Miami, while seven other Florida schools compete in Division I. Fellow Sun Conference member St. Thomas added varsity rugby this year.
