PHILIPPI, WV – The Alderson Broaddus women's rugby team has been awarded the 2020 Skirmy for the school's Team of the Year.

In their first season as a varsity program, the Battlers went undefeated before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"We could not be prouder of the women's rugby program," said Head Coach Laura Miller.
 
While competing in the fall and spring, the women's rugby team went undefeated and won three tournaments in the process. The women's program started the season in the fall by winning the ARU 7's Championship, which was hosted by Alderson Broaddus.
 
On December 6, 2019, The Allegheny Rugby Union selected six members of the rugby team to compete on their All-Star team. Alderson Broaddus sent six of the ARU's twelve members to compete at the National Small College Rugby Organization All-Star Tournament in St. Petersburg, Fla. on January 18.
 
The Battlers continued their success in the spring by going 8-0 at the Frostbite 7's and Almost Heaven 7's.
 
"The women's team went undefeated in three 7's tournaments, but their major accomplishment is working all year to build the program from the ground up," said Miller. "Our men's team also deserves recognition since we have spent the last year training together as one program - the women's team could not have done it without their support."
 
After a successful first season, the women's team will be moving into the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association this fall. The league features three groups which are aligned according to NCAA membership.
 
"The team has grown so much since they first arrived in August. We can't wait for them all to return in the fall to kick off our inaugural 15s season," Miller said.

—Matt Mullin, Asst. SID, Alderson Broaddus