SEATTLE – The USA Rugby Academy (serevirugby.com/usa-rugby-academy ) and The Rugger’s Edge (ruggersedge.com), the premiere college athletic advisor for male and female rugby players, have launched College Connection, a hands-on education program to help student-athletes navigate the process and connect with college coaches.  Beginning February 21-22 at the USA Rugby Academy High Performance Training Camp at Harvard University, College Connection events will be included as part of USA Rugby Academy programming nationwide, modeled after similar successful programs in other American sports such as ice hockey, lacrosse, football, and basketball.

“Collegiate rugby is changing quickly, with more programs each year becoming fully supported and offering scholarships, so today’s high school athletes need to better understand the landscape and recruiting process,” said Emilie Bydwell, Director of USA Rugby Academy. “College Connection provides a structured avenue for athletes, parents, and college coaches to connect and open doors for young people to get an education while playing a sport they love.”

Built into high school-aged USA Rugby Academy High Performance Training and Resident Camps, College Connection programming consists of private seminars led by The Rugger’s Edge during which players and parents will have the opportunity to learn critical steps in the overall college planning process. These seminars will help families navigate the waters of college rugby, but also increase a student-athelete’s chances of acceptance at their top choice colleges and universities.

“We’ve seen first-hand that with more knowledge on the process and options, players and their families can find the best college or university that meets their academic and athletic needs,” said Karen Fong Donoghue, President and Founder of The Rugger’s Edge. “The USA Rugby Academy setting provides an ideal opportunity to connect high school athletes with coaches to see where a fit may be on both sides.”

Current collegiate coaches will be invited to attend the camp to observe athletes in action and interact with players following training.  High School athletes will be offered the opportunity to complete a student-athlete profile that will be distributed to the college coaches in attendance.

Coaches who cannot attend may still register online and receive player information after the event. The deadline for coaches to register to be a part of the Harvard University College Connection is Wednesday, February 11th. More information and registration is available at serevirugby.com/collegeconnection.

College Connection programming will be available at the following 2015 USA Rugby Academy camps:

Boston – February 21-22
Charlotte, NC – March 1
San Diego – March 8
College Park, MD – March 14-15
Glendale, Colorado – March 21-22
New York – March 28-29
Minneapolis – May 9-10
Clermont, FL – May 9-10

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Athletes seeking more about the collegiate rugby landscape can contact The Rugger's Edge at info@ruggersedge.com, or visit USA Rugby Academy College Connection page at: serevirugby.com/collegeconnection.

A full schedule of USA Rugby Academy camp dates and locations is available at: serevirugby.com/usa-rugby-academy.