"Adding these seven Heartland programs creates a new milestone for NCR," said Brad Dufek, NCR Director of Men’s Rugby. "These schools bring passionate fans, fierce rivalries, and a standard of on-field excellence that elevates our entire DI-AA competition. By launching this new competition, we're giving these teams a suite of new services and a stable, competitive regular season while opening up a direct, clear path to play for a national title."
"Arkansas has watched the growth of NCR over the past four years," said Lance Cummings, University of Arkansas Head Coach. "Maintaining our traditional regional competition is critical for our player development, and we are excited for the clear national pathways NCR provides. The opportunity to compete against the big-name schools our players grew up watching, combined with the structure and stability NCR brings to the collegiate game, makes this a tremendous step forward for our program."
Derek Pearson, University of Nebraska, echoed the excitement surrounding the move: "Moving to NCR opens the door to new levels of national competition and opportunity. Our students manage this team in all aspects, and NCR has proven to be an exceptional partner for them during our recent sevens runs. Their commitment to competitive excellence, integrity, and transparency perfectly reinforces the values we live every day. The jersey doesn’t change. The standard doesn’t change. The expectation doesn’t change. There’s no place like Nebraska."
