The four finalists for the Rudy Scholz Award as the top collegiate rugby player in the USA have been named.
The Rudy Scholz Award is sponsored by and presented by the Washington Athletic Club of Seattle, Wash., and the WAC holds an awards event every June to present this trophy and the trophy for the MA Sorensen Award. This year's finalists were selected through a nomination process using a panel of coaches and media (including GRR). A big part of WAC's involved is that the collegiate rugby public are involved in the selections, and teams, coaches, players, and fans were invited to help select the finalists from the list of nominees.
Rudy Scholz, who played at Santa Clara from 1914 to 1918, was a two-time Olympic Gold Medal-winner in rugby, playing halfback for the USA in 1920 and 1924. He served in the US Army in both World War I and World War II, when he was well into his 40s. He was decorated in both conflicts, was a dedicated rugby player his entire adult life (playing his last game in his 80s) and was a successful attorney in California. His record as an acheiving rugby player, lover of the sport, and his success of the field are why the Rudy Scholz Award is named after him.
Here are the finalists:
04.11.2024College Men
Eduan van Heerden, Lindenwood
The Charlotte Tigers product and Lindenwood lock forward received the strongest Rugby Community support and has been a central figure both defensively and keeping the offense going as Lindenwood has advanced into the D1A playoffs. (Photo Todd Lunow)
Wyatt Parry, BYU
The Snow Canyon HS product has emerged as the most dynamic and intelligent flyhalf in the game. With Parry at the helm BYU has enjoyed some of its strongest seasons in years. (Photo BYU Rugby)
Evan Roode, Arkansas State
An imposing second row or back row player for the Red Wolves, Roode continues to have big performances in big games, highlighted by how he put Arkansas State on his back in the first round of the D1A playoffs. (Photo ASU Rugby)
Dominic Besag, Saint Mary Mary's
Already capped by the USA as a freshman last summer, the De La Salle product Besag is an attacking force for the Gaels. His four tries against Cal two weeks ago probably cemented this pick. (Photo David Barpal)
