Recruited to play rugby at Virginia after joining UVA as a field hockey player, Heather Hale became a star for the Atlanta Harlequins and the USA.

Playing mostly at flyhalf and center, Hale was a playmaker with pace, athleticism, and excellent field vision. Despite playing for the USA starting at 2000, it wasn’t apparent that she was a world class #10 until the Rugby World Cup in 2006. 

Her fitness and aggressive play seemed to make her a fit at center, and she was, but with the USA deep in the midfield she got her chance at flyhalf and showed well. Able to kick with confidence with both feet, able to score points from the tee, and also able to control the flow of the attack with her understanding of the game, Hale was a true student of the game and just kept working.

She was capped 23 times by the USA 15s team, and made everyone around her better. And well after she stopped playing for the Eagles Hale helped lead the Atlanta Harlequins to a national championship. She kicked four conversions and directed the attack from flyhalf in a 33-14 defeat of ORSU in the final.

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