2017/2018 News & Headlines
Carolina Take 13th in Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship
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Philadelphia, PA - The South Carolina Gamecocks walk away with a 13th place finish in the 2018 Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship at Talon Energy Stadium outside Philadelphia, PA. Nearly 30,000 spectators, plus millions at home, watched as South Carolina competed against 23 of the finest men’s programs in the nation in hopes of claiming the coveted Pete Dawkins Trophy.
Day one saw the Gamecocks advance to the Plate bracket (9th-16th) with a 1-1-1 record and -5 point differential on the afternoon. Day two saw a heartbreaking loss to the Hoosiers of Indiana when a game tying try was called back after the final whistle. Despite an early exit on Sunday, the Gamecocks enjoyed tremendous support inside the stadium from hundreds of friends, family, alumni, and supporters cheering them on every step of the way. “Standing on the sidelines, it was hard to look up into the stands and not see an electrified sea of garnet,” said Coach Darnell. “Many thanks goes to the Carolina Rugby Foundation, as well as our host sponsor, Dunkin' Donuts, for creating such a strong, unified presence. It truly made a difference.” Saturday Pool Results:
SC (14) v IN (14) // SC (24) v BC (5) // SC (7) v AZ (31) Sunday Playoff Results: SC (7) v IN (14) |
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In his 5th year coaching the South Carolina 7s side, Darnell has established one of the premier sevens programs in the Southeast. The Gamecocks finished their 2015 season with a record of 21-3, building upon their appearance at the Penn Mutual CRC in 2014 and their Shield Championship at the USA Rugby Nationals in 2013. With three SCRC 7s series titles, South Carolina advanced to the Top-25 in all three national polls, aided by victories over Tennessee, Louisiana State, Florida, Alabama, & Virginia Tech, all of which were previous CRC participants. The Gamecocks would end the end the season with 7 All-Conference players.
Today, the Gamecocks are 3-time Southeastern Rugby champions, advancing this spring with a 15-1 tournament record, marking their fourth Penn Mutual CRC berth. The Cocks finished 19th in 2014, advanced to 12th with a 2-3 record in 2016, and won the Bowl Championship against in-state rival Clemson in 2017. Following Sunday's playoff competition at the Penn Mutual CRC, we took a moment to sit down with Coach Darnell to get his thoughts on the weekend and the program as a whole during the lead up.
“With our qualification for the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship, we reached a major goal for the season, however, we fell short of expectations once there," explained Coach Darnell. "Play was uneven at best, with our first match against Indiana as a prime example. The beginning of the match started as many have, we gained possession from our kickoff, but rather than putting together multiple phases with quick recycling of the ball, we immediately gave up possession with a penalty. Defense held Indiana in check for most of match, and that was needed with the six additional times that we gave up possession with penalties and being driven into touch. Chances to pull out a win in spite of those mistakes were squandered with poor decisions in the attack as the match concluded. The tie was not a bad start, but not what we wanted or needed.”
Today, the Gamecocks are 3-time Southeastern Rugby champions, advancing this spring with a 15-1 tournament record, marking their fourth Penn Mutual CRC berth. The Cocks finished 19th in 2014, advanced to 12th with a 2-3 record in 2016, and won the Bowl Championship against in-state rival Clemson in 2017. Following Sunday's playoff competition at the Penn Mutual CRC, we took a moment to sit down with Coach Darnell to get his thoughts on the weekend and the program as a whole during the lead up.
“With our qualification for the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship, we reached a major goal for the season, however, we fell short of expectations once there," explained Coach Darnell. "Play was uneven at best, with our first match against Indiana as a prime example. The beginning of the match started as many have, we gained possession from our kickoff, but rather than putting together multiple phases with quick recycling of the ball, we immediately gave up possession with a penalty. Defense held Indiana in check for most of match, and that was needed with the six additional times that we gave up possession with penalties and being driven into touch. Chances to pull out a win in spite of those mistakes were squandered with poor decisions in the attack as the match concluded. The tie was not a bad start, but not what we wanted or needed.”
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Coach Darnell's hopes of a quick correction in play were quickly stamped out with perhaps the Gamecocks' worst half of play all season in their match-up against Boston College. “We gathered ourselves with a second half that secured the win, though damage was done to our point differential that would come back to bite us. The Arizona match was intense and we were outmatched with overall speed and that was telling in the score. The first half was tight, but the match referee would be no friend to us for this match with punishing ‘no calls’ that began in the first half and escalated in the second half of the match.”
Sunday started out the same as Saturday with a meeting against Indiana that was another even match throughout with no luck coming the Gamecocks’ way. “Our efforts that should have ended with another tie match and overtime were denied with yet another inexplicable call from the referee, reversing a game ending try. While that was disappointing, we also had other opportunities to win the match that went unrealized.” The loss against Indiana would end Carolina’s run for the Plate.
While the weekend's results were mixed, Coach Darnell spoke highly of his players' development, with the return of several experienced players and the addition of some new faces that had played previously on the freshman team. “The mix offered learning opportunities for the new players as well as continued development of those returning. The unfortunate cancellation of two tournaments did hinder team development, though we made the most of the three that we participated in. We achieved a high level of fitness along with a fast-paced sevens game that resulted in three tournament finals and two championships. Team defense was another highlight of the season, with two thirds of our matches being shutouts.”
Sunday started out the same as Saturday with a meeting against Indiana that was another even match throughout with no luck coming the Gamecocks’ way. “Our efforts that should have ended with another tie match and overtime were denied with yet another inexplicable call from the referee, reversing a game ending try. While that was disappointing, we also had other opportunities to win the match that went unrealized.” The loss against Indiana would end Carolina’s run for the Plate.
While the weekend's results were mixed, Coach Darnell spoke highly of his players' development, with the return of several experienced players and the addition of some new faces that had played previously on the freshman team. “The mix offered learning opportunities for the new players as well as continued development of those returning. The unfortunate cancellation of two tournaments did hinder team development, though we made the most of the three that we participated in. We achieved a high level of fitness along with a fast-paced sevens game that resulted in three tournament finals and two championships. Team defense was another highlight of the season, with two thirds of our matches being shutouts.”
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One area that the Gamecocks struggled in was a lack of depth on the bench. “We have been very lucky these past few years, though the threat of injury was a concern throughout the season. Fortunately, that was not a large factor, with the exception of Micah Stewart, whose loss for a number of games impacted the overall defense of the team. The emphasis on fitness seems to have paid off both in terms of game execution and health of the players. We were able to further refine our sevens game with a focus on keeping it simple and taking advantage of opportunities. We did experience a few injuries in our final pool match on Saturday, though it’s hard to say how it would have played out had we advanced further on Sunday."
“While I am disappointed in the results of the tournament, I am extremely proud of the efforts of this team and the season that we had. This was the fittest team that I have taken to a tournament, and we were well prepared in that regard. The layoff from the SCRC finals and the first match at the CRC was not helpful and appears to have taken a toll on team readiness. We were not at our best and I take full responsibility for that. This has been a learning experience for myself and I will work to ensure that mistakes made this season will not be repeated and that we will be a better team going forward. I am especially grateful for the contributions of seniors Chris Harrell and Chuck DePont, and I will miss them dearly. They have played their final season and they leave a large void in the team to be filled with an up-and-coming freshman class.”
With another 7s season in the books, Carolina now transitions back to 15s this fall with a tough lineup of conference play. "We are well positioned as we look ahead to this fall. Players are healthy and in the right mind set, and our freshman class is formidable and full of talented leaders. While I am thankful for some much needed time off this summer, I am also anxious to settle back into our training routine and work towards our third 15s title. We are very appreciative of the support from the alumni and supporters of Carolina Rugby and hope that you are as excited about the future of this program as we are."
“While I am disappointed in the results of the tournament, I am extremely proud of the efforts of this team and the season that we had. This was the fittest team that I have taken to a tournament, and we were well prepared in that regard. The layoff from the SCRC finals and the first match at the CRC was not helpful and appears to have taken a toll on team readiness. We were not at our best and I take full responsibility for that. This has been a learning experience for myself and I will work to ensure that mistakes made this season will not be repeated and that we will be a better team going forward. I am especially grateful for the contributions of seniors Chris Harrell and Chuck DePont, and I will miss them dearly. They have played their final season and they leave a large void in the team to be filled with an up-and-coming freshman class.”
With another 7s season in the books, Carolina now transitions back to 15s this fall with a tough lineup of conference play. "We are well positioned as we look ahead to this fall. Players are healthy and in the right mind set, and our freshman class is formidable and full of talented leaders. While I am thankful for some much needed time off this summer, I am also anxious to settle back into our training routine and work towards our third 15s title. We are very appreciative of the support from the alumni and supporters of Carolina Rugby and hope that you are as excited about the future of this program as we are."
Spring 2018 Player Awards - And the Winners Are...
Most Valuable Player
Christian Harrell |
Rookie of the Season
Michael Chiarovano |
Best Forward
Charles DePont |
Best Back
Daniel Callahan |
Graduating Seniors
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Saying Goodbye - "I wish all of our graduates a successful future, and I look forward to seeing them again next year as Carolina Olde Boys!"
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Gamecocks Claim All-Conference Honors
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Knoxville, TN - South Carolina wrapped up the Spring 7s season with several players receiving All-Conference honors. Seniors Christian Harrell and Charles DePont and junior Daniel Callahan received 1st Team honors, while sophomore Alec Giakas received 2nd Team honors.
The 1st and 2nd teams include 18 players from 8 different teams including 4 each from South Carolina and Kentucky who battled it out in the final, a game USC won 7-5. Alabama kicked in 3 and Tennessee followed with 2. The remainder of the conference each added one to round out the squad. |
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South Carolina Completes Hat Trick & Punches Ticket to Penn Mutual CRC, 4th Time in 5 Years
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Rugby Today - South The University of South Carolina claimed the 23rd spot in the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship by winning the Southeastern Rugby Conference qualifier yesterday in Knoxville, Tenn. The Gamecocks defeated a tough Kentucky side 7-5 to return to Philadelphia in June.
The field was divided into three groups of three teams. South Carolina took care of business in pool play, blanking both Georgia and Florida to earn the overall one seed in the cup rounds. In fact, the Gamecocks did not yield a point until the final match. In the cup quarters, USC shut out Mississippi State and then took on their rivals, Tennessee. While Tennessee has gotten the better of USC in 15s the last few years, in 7s South Carolina has been the team to beat. The Game Cocks cruised through the qualifier last year and got the better of Tennessee this year with a 17-0 win. |
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USC met Kentucky in the final. The Wildcats had an impressive run in 15s, winning the conference for the first time and were hoping to make their first appearance at the Penn Mutual CRC. UK did something no other team did, scoring first to take a 5-0 early lead. Kentucky turned over a ruck and got the ball wide for the games opening score.
Chris Harrell, last year’s SCRC 7s player of the year, showed his play making ability to take the lead. After long phase play inside their own half, the senior split a gap in the middle of the field and outpaced the Kentucky defense. With the conversion, the Gamecocks led 7-5. The Gamecocks had another opportunity deep in Kentucky territory but the ball was held up in the try zone as time expired on the half.
The second half was a real grind it out affair. South Carolina was careless with the ball and spent much of the half defending. In one instance, Jacob Powers chased down a Kentucky player, forcing a knock on right outside the goal line to prevent a score.
“The second half was brutal. It was a very intense game. We probably had more handling errors in that second half than we had all season,” said USC coach Steve Darnell.
South Carolina’s defense held strong despite relentless pressure. Team defense is something that has been stressed this season and Saturday it was executed nearly flawlessly.
“Defense was great throughout the day. They were very patient, applied pressure when they should have and made their tackles. Defense has been a real stress all season so I was very happy about that,” Darnell added.
South Carolina will be looking to improve upon a bowl championship at the CRC last season. After a tough first day, the Gamecocks won three games on Sunday to take home some hardware. This year, however, they are gunning for the cup rounds.
“We want to build on our 4-2 record from last year. We want to try and crack into the cup rounds. I think this might be the year because we have a good seasoned squad that can seize that opportunity,” Darnell concluded.
Only one spot remains open at the Penn Mutual CRC. That team will be determined at the Heart of America Qualifier next weekend in Kansas City.
Chris Harrell, last year’s SCRC 7s player of the year, showed his play making ability to take the lead. After long phase play inside their own half, the senior split a gap in the middle of the field and outpaced the Kentucky defense. With the conversion, the Gamecocks led 7-5. The Gamecocks had another opportunity deep in Kentucky territory but the ball was held up in the try zone as time expired on the half.
The second half was a real grind it out affair. South Carolina was careless with the ball and spent much of the half defending. In one instance, Jacob Powers chased down a Kentucky player, forcing a knock on right outside the goal line to prevent a score.
“The second half was brutal. It was a very intense game. We probably had more handling errors in that second half than we had all season,” said USC coach Steve Darnell.
South Carolina’s defense held strong despite relentless pressure. Team defense is something that has been stressed this season and Saturday it was executed nearly flawlessly.
“Defense was great throughout the day. They were very patient, applied pressure when they should have and made their tackles. Defense has been a real stress all season so I was very happy about that,” Darnell added.
South Carolina will be looking to improve upon a bowl championship at the CRC last season. After a tough first day, the Gamecocks won three games on Sunday to take home some hardware. This year, however, they are gunning for the cup rounds.
“We want to build on our 4-2 record from last year. We want to try and crack into the cup rounds. I think this might be the year because we have a good seasoned squad that can seize that opportunity,” Darnell concluded.
Only one spot remains open at the Penn Mutual CRC. That team will be determined at the Heart of America Qualifier next weekend in Kansas City.
Gamecocks Make a Statement at Tropical 7's Before Falling Short in the Final
Orlando, FL - An exciting finish to the 2018 TROPICAL 7's brought the second year of the tournament to new heights. 50 teams from around the world came to the sunshine of Florida to compete across nine divisions -- and this year's champions have been crowned. There were many highlights from the 2018 edition of the Tropical 7's. In only its 2nd year, the number of participating teams increased from 25 in last year's inaugural tournament, to 50 teams this year including 19 international teams. In the U18 Boys Elite Championship, the Zambezi Steelers (Zimbabwe) got past Florida's Jupiter Sharks, 26-5, becoming the first African team to win at the Tropical 7's.
Celebrity referee Jillion Potter was a great presence at the event in her role as referee. Potter is a long-time USA Eagle and captain of the 7's team that played in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. She handed out trophies to all of the winners and runner-ups.
In what was arguably the most competitive division of the 2018 Tropical 7's, the Guelph University Gryphons from Canada beat Life University in the University Elite Women's Division (in an exciting 24-12 final score), in a group that also included Lindenwood University, all former national champions in their respective country.
The University Elite Men's Division saw the South Carolina Gamecocks run the field, only to fall short in the final to Canada's Brock University, 17-0. The Gamecocks would end up 5-1 with a 140 for and -41 against point differential. (36-0 Missouri / 17-0 Brock / 26-10 Trent / 26-0 Georgia / 35-14 Florida International / 0-17 Brock)
"We congratulate not just the champions but all of the participants at the 2018 Tropical 7's," said Tournament Director John Siner. "We are thrilled that so many teams had such a good rugby experience, which has brought this event to a new level. Next year will be event stronger so we are very excited about that."
Celebrity referee Jillion Potter was a great presence at the event in her role as referee. Potter is a long-time USA Eagle and captain of the 7's team that played in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. She handed out trophies to all of the winners and runner-ups.
In what was arguably the most competitive division of the 2018 Tropical 7's, the Guelph University Gryphons from Canada beat Life University in the University Elite Women's Division (in an exciting 24-12 final score), in a group that also included Lindenwood University, all former national champions in their respective country.
The University Elite Men's Division saw the South Carolina Gamecocks run the field, only to fall short in the final to Canada's Brock University, 17-0. The Gamecocks would end up 5-1 with a 140 for and -41 against point differential. (36-0 Missouri / 17-0 Brock / 26-10 Trent / 26-0 Georgia / 35-14 Florida International / 0-17 Brock)
"We congratulate not just the champions but all of the participants at the 2018 Tropical 7's," said Tournament Director John Siner. "We are thrilled that so many teams had such a good rugby experience, which has brought this event to a new level. Next year will be event stronger so we are very excited about that."
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Gamecocks Sweep Chesapeake 7's
Towson, MD - This past weekend, Carolina Rugby fielded two teams and traveled north up I-95 to Towson, MD to take part in the Chesapeake Collegiate Rugby Conference 7’s Series. Carolina’s 2nd side, composed primarily of freshman, lost three close matches to the US Naval Academy I, the University of Mary Washington, and Salisbury University. South Carolina’s first side excelled in their first 2 games, beating the US Naval Academy II 25-0 and Georgetown University 36-0. They faced a strong Mount. St. Mary’s side in the final pool play match, holding their explosive offense to one try, winning 17-5. In the cup semifinals, the Gamecocks shut out host team Towson University, 22-0. In the cup final, South Carolina outran James Madison in the snow to win 14-7. South Carolina finished the day 5-0 with a +102 point differential (114-12).
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Cup Champions
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Gamecocks Stumble Out of the Gate at Furman 7's
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Greeneville, SC - Carolina Rugby arrived early on the Furman University campus, hungry for its first tournament victory of the season. The first match was against familiar foe Queens College. The Gamecocks jumped out to a quick lead in the first half with two tries from senior Chris Harrell and a conversion from junior Danny Callahan. In the second half, queens responded with a quick try, though junior John Arruda sealed the deal with a try in the corner to win 17-7. NC State was next, though they were no match, with the Gamecocks holding off a late comeback by the Wolfpack to win 12-7. In the final pool match, Carolina faced off with Coastal Carolina, taking care of business on the defensive side, not allowing Coastal on the board while senior Chuck DuPont and sophomore Mac Stiles each touched down tries for Carolina. In the semi-final, the Gamecocks faced Furman, jumping out to an early lead with a try from junior Nick Skalka, though a late Furman comeback prevailed as Carolina lost their first match of the spring season, 12-7. The Gamecocks would ultimately claim the 3rd place prize with a final victory over Southeastern Rugby rival Georgia, 34-15, with two big tries from junior Lucas Bosley leading the way.
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Carolina Rugby Visits Fort Jackson
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Columbia, SC - To kick off the Spring season, Carolina Rugby organized a team building experience at nearby military base Fort Jackson. The day began early as players greeted the military officers at the fort and were taken to the “pit” where they warmed up with multiple stretches and exercises. Following introductions, the team was split up into multiple units and sent to different sections of the fort’s rope and obstacle course. The course included crawling under barbed wire, jumping over bars, balancing on high beams, and, finally, “the tower”, which required the team to pull themselves up one side using rope while propelling down the other.
After completing the obstacles, the groups regrouped and transitioned to the Fit to Win Course where the players ran as one unit though multiple obstacles led by the military officers. Although this exercise was physically demanding, the team acted as one unit and encouraged one another along the way, which made the hard work enjoyable. The Critical Thinking segment came next where, once again, the team was split up into multiple units and sent off to solve time sensitive and combat ready situations. |
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During these challenges, the players were required to work as a team, which is imperative and easily relateable in the game of rugby. The day spent at Fort Jackson was fun, though constructive, in that it jump started the players' mindset to working together as one and focusing on reaching a common goal: Victory!
On the Recruitment Trail, NJ College Fair & Rugby Combine
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Whippany, NJ - Special thanks to alumnus Jay Monrad for representing Carolina Rugby at the 2018 New Jersey College Fair & Rugby Combine. Jay was able to reach hundreds of up-and-coming high school players who are finalizing their college searches and now have a reason to consider the University of South Carolina. We hope to continue this partnership going forward and to grow our recruitment network throughout the country, and we thank Jay for his work. Go Cocks!
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Fall 2017 Player Awards - And the Winners Are...
Most Valuable Player
Micah Stewart |
Best Forward
Cody Martinez |
Best Back
Sean Barnes |
Most Improved
Tom MacDonald |
Rookie of the Season
Corey Matthews |
Gamecocks Claim All-Conference Honors
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Knoxville, TN - South Carolina Men’s Rugby wrapped up the Fall 15s season with several players receiving All-Conference honors. Senior centers Christian Harrell and Sean Barnes received 1st Team honors, while junior lock Brandon Holmes and junior flanker Micah Stewart received 2nd Team honors. Senior Chuck DePont rounded out the list with an Honorable Mention.
We look forward to these players, sans Barnes who will be graduating this season, returning this spring as leaders on the 7's team. South Carolina player awards will be announced next week following the fall banquet. |
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South Carolina Overpowers Clemson in 33rd Annual Blood Battle
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Columbia, SC - The University of South Carolina has taken the win over Clemson University in the 33rd annual American Red Cross blood drive. Clemson collected 2,554 pints of blood and Carolina had 2,602. Overall, 5,156 pints of blood were collected this year from students, faculty, staff, and fans. USC was awarded the blood drive trophy during the Carolina-Clemson football game on Nov. 25 at Williams-Brice Stadium.
The Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive is held annually the week before the schools take on each other on the football field. The drive comes near the start of the holiday season, which is when officials say blood donations typically decrease. Over the past 30 years, the universities have collected over 115,000 pints of blood. On campus, the Carolina Rugby team is a regular partner with the annual Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive, wherein players assist the American Red Cross in its on-campus operations and donate blood throughout the week. Go Gamecocks! |
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Carolina Comes Up Short at SEC Playoffs
Knoxville, TN - South Carolina Men’s Rugby wrapped up their 2017 Fall 15s season last weekend, falling short to the Tennessee Volunteers in the SCRC semifinals. The Gamecocks finished with an overall record of 4-1, completing regular season conference play unbeaten. This season’s record is an improvement on last year when the team did not quality for the conference final. With the majority of players returning, excitement is already growing for next fall when the Gamecocks will look to look to use their roster depth and experience to make a deep run in the playoffs in 2018. Captain Micah Stewart says “The team grew a lot and developed cohesively this season, however, there is still tons of untapped potential. It’ll be exciting to see how much we improve this off-season, which will hopefully lead to a successful 15s season next year.”
For now, the attention turns to a few exhibition 15s matches and 7s season in the spring. The Gamecocks are back-to-back SCRC 7’s champions, as well as frequent qualifiers for the Collegiate Rugby Championship invitational tournament, competing the last three out of four years. Returning SCRC 7’s player of the year Chris Harrell says “Our team is looking great going into this 7s season. Due to how deep we are in the backs, it’s always a fun and competitive pre-season with guys fighting for spots on the team.” South Carolina has a few months of rest before the spring season begins, with the Fall Awards Banquet on December 8th officially capping off the 15’s season.
For now, the attention turns to a few exhibition 15s matches and 7s season in the spring. The Gamecocks are back-to-back SCRC 7’s champions, as well as frequent qualifiers for the Collegiate Rugby Championship invitational tournament, competing the last three out of four years. Returning SCRC 7’s player of the year Chris Harrell says “Our team is looking great going into this 7s season. Due to how deep we are in the backs, it’s always a fun and competitive pre-season with guys fighting for spots on the team.” South Carolina has a few months of rest before the spring season begins, with the Fall Awards Banquet on December 8th officially capping off the 15’s season.
Carolina Rugby Celebrates 50 Years!
A Letter from the Chairman, Jeffrey S. Smolka
Columbia, SC - On behalf of the Carolina Rugby Foundation, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to you, our dedicated alumni, as we celebrate 50 years of Gamecock Rugby!
Sandy Frazier and the late Dr. James Wynn may not have realized at the time how impactful and life altering for many their actions would become, though there is no doubt today to the extent of their efforts. We thank them for their vision and for establishing a rich community and brotherhood like no other. Through this program, we have seen many lives change for the better and many young men grow into productive members of society as they continue their own journey in advancing the sport that we know and love.
Each year, we have been fortunate to watch the program reach new heights and are extremely grateful to have so many loyal supporters cheering us on. Recently, we have witnessed the team claim back-to-back SEC championships in both 15’s & 7’s, receive countless All-SEC, Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year honors, and advance to the USA Rugby Nationals and the Collegiate Rugby Championship on NBC. Let’s not forget, Bowl winners over Clemson! With, now, 50 years of distinguished history, a roster of 60+ dedicated student athletes, and the leadership of coaches Morris and Darnell, the Carolina Rugby team is poised to continue this success well into the future.
Matching the success on the field, the Foundation continues to make tremendous advancements in its mission to support the Carolina Rugby program in their endeavors. Our long-term goals have always been to develop our student-athletes for international touring sides, the USA Rugby All-American selections, the USA Eagles, the USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship on NBC, and now, the Olympic Games. As the sport continues to develop, the opportunities become endless in what our student-athletes are able to work towards.
In line with these goals, we have established 3 separate endowments, partnering with the University’s ‘Carolina’s Promise’ campaign, providing sustainable returns for the program, assisting with operational expenses and awarding player scholarships for years to come. In fact, one endowment, supporting scholarships, is dedicated solely to the club founders, coaches and captains, and classes. To date, our scholarships are recognized as some of the most impactful in the nation, and have benefited USC Ruggers with awards in excess of $100,000. I trust you had a chance to check out the scholarship fund poster while attending Saturday’s tailgate, as we have already received a significant donation towards the endowment program.
While looking at the short-term, we also have an active Foundation account which is used to fund immediate needs such as travel, association fees, player gear and apparel, field equipment, referees, marketing materials, recruitment handouts, coach and player development courses, supporter events, and the list goes on. This academic year alone, we estimate a total fiscal impact of $20,000, the most in our organization’s brief history. This achievement alone is proof that you support our work because you believe in what we do, and because you want to help make a difference in the lives of our players. With these funds, we can remain one of the leading programs in the country and continue to prepare our student athletes to achieve great things. In lieu of money, one can also donate his time and services. I encourage you to contact the Foundation to learn more.
Unfortunately, even with this success, we continue to face the reality of being a ‘club sport’ on a major university campus. Despite our history and national recognition, the team was forced to relinquish their field, ‘The Proving Grounds’, formerly the football practice facility across from Williams-Brice stadium, along with every other green space on campus, to host university sponsored Parent’s Weekend events. In fact, even the meeting room normally set aside to host the rugby parents, located only two miles from the ‘Proving Grounds’, was allocated as well. This change left us searching for suitable replacements with limited time. Luckily, USC faculty advisor, Pat Hanly (Olde Boy ’78), was able to negotiate the Darla Moore School of Business rooftop pavilion at the last moment for the Parent’s ‘Meet & Greet’. Thank you again, Pat! The field, on the other hand, was a different story. Owen’s Field became the only viable option within the city, despite its size and conditions, and the lack of sufficient lighting required us to move up the start time, causing some overlap with the Parent’s ‘Meet & Greet’. The situation was far from ideal and not what the team had in mind for hosting, especially for this event, though the players worked to transport materials and set up camp to create as much of a positive out of a negative as they could. While we will continue to work on this for future events, I thank the team for their efforts, and I’m especially appreciative of your understanding to those who inquired on site. From what I saw, those that played had fun and there was a Great Zulu Warrior chant with alumni and current players. I appreciate the coaching staff for organizing the sidelines and rosters, over 45 players, many of whom were experiencing their very first alumni match, and former assistant coach and current top level referee John Meyers for officiating the match. The parents were also excited to watch their sons compete and to have an opportunity to experience the brotherhood that they too will cherish the rest of their lives.
The after-match social was especially memorable for me, having the opportunity to personally check everyone in. The polos and balls were well received, and the food and beverages were a highlight as they’ve always been since our playing days. Many thanks to Max Minnillo (Olde Boy ’10) for offering his establishment, The Saloon, and Connor Hobbs (Olde Boy ’12) for providing the food from The Barn. It was great to have two young COBers involved and seeing them doing well. I especially want to thank Rick LeBel (Olde Boy ’74) for recognizing our founders and family tree, and for doing an awesome job in encouraging the original crew to come back. (Thank you again for recognizing my efforts with the South Carolina High School League!) I enjoyed speaking with the current players, meeting some of the women’s players, and cringing after hearing some of the songs I used to sing. We were also given a surprise recognition by USA Rugby’s Erik Geib (Olde Boy ’07) for 50 years of excellence. Thank you, Erik!
Saturday saw an outstanding combined tailgate for both alumni and parents hosted by Mark Rockefeller (Olde Boy ’86) with the help of Jim Farrar (Olde Boy ’10), George the BBQ man, my wife Margaret and her 6 gallons of homemade mac & cheese, and many others who I wish I could name. The music was electric, the food was amazing, and the canopy tent from the team was well appreciated. At the tailgate, we met Dan Keating, who played at Boston College from 84 to 88 and against our 87 Mardi-Gras championship USC team. Dan’s son Stuart plays for USC. We had dad, son, and USC Alumni sharing great times together. Danny Callahan, USC Scrum half, and his dad/board member and mom were at all events throughout weekend. USC Captain, Micah Stewart, and his mom and dad were at the match, tailgate, and football game. It was great to see Mrs. Stewart and Sandy Frazier dancing to ‘Shout!’. 50 years later and he still sweeps the floor! It was extremely gratifying to know how much Sandy enjoyed the event and how it renewed his passion and support. There are more examples, though what’s most important is the fun and camaraderie that was enjoyed by all this past weekend. We would certainly like to see more participation, though competing activities hosted by the University for the families during Parents Weekend kept many from attending every event. We also missed Coach Morris on Saturday who was called in to manage an out-of-town event with his work while his boss was overseas. Scheduling conflicts are not always avoidable, though something we will continue to evaluate for future years.
For me, this weekend was memorable in many ways, though it would not have been possible without the contributions of so many. There will always be room to grow and to improve, and with that, I enlist your support as we look ahead in planning future events. There have been several variations to COB Weekend over the years to varying levels of success, so it will take everyone’s involvement to create a valued product. George Lussier (Olde Boy ’76) did a great job adding an early afternoon golf outing to this year’s event which I hope to see continue.
So, I leave you with these words from the late Anthony Foley of Munster Rugby: "If it's not the team you support, it's the club you should support. The team on the pitch will ebb and flow; that's the nature of sport. There's no team ever who has been successful decade-on-decade. The club is the history, the thing you should follow and that should be the passion you have." Let’s use our collective passion to advance this program beyond our wildest dreams and continue to support the bigger picture of Gamecock Rugby and its mission for the next 50 years. Who’s in?!
Sandy Frazier and the late Dr. James Wynn may not have realized at the time how impactful and life altering for many their actions would become, though there is no doubt today to the extent of their efforts. We thank them for their vision and for establishing a rich community and brotherhood like no other. Through this program, we have seen many lives change for the better and many young men grow into productive members of society as they continue their own journey in advancing the sport that we know and love.
Each year, we have been fortunate to watch the program reach new heights and are extremely grateful to have so many loyal supporters cheering us on. Recently, we have witnessed the team claim back-to-back SEC championships in both 15’s & 7’s, receive countless All-SEC, Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year honors, and advance to the USA Rugby Nationals and the Collegiate Rugby Championship on NBC. Let’s not forget, Bowl winners over Clemson! With, now, 50 years of distinguished history, a roster of 60+ dedicated student athletes, and the leadership of coaches Morris and Darnell, the Carolina Rugby team is poised to continue this success well into the future.
Matching the success on the field, the Foundation continues to make tremendous advancements in its mission to support the Carolina Rugby program in their endeavors. Our long-term goals have always been to develop our student-athletes for international touring sides, the USA Rugby All-American selections, the USA Eagles, the USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship on NBC, and now, the Olympic Games. As the sport continues to develop, the opportunities become endless in what our student-athletes are able to work towards.
In line with these goals, we have established 3 separate endowments, partnering with the University’s ‘Carolina’s Promise’ campaign, providing sustainable returns for the program, assisting with operational expenses and awarding player scholarships for years to come. In fact, one endowment, supporting scholarships, is dedicated solely to the club founders, coaches and captains, and classes. To date, our scholarships are recognized as some of the most impactful in the nation, and have benefited USC Ruggers with awards in excess of $100,000. I trust you had a chance to check out the scholarship fund poster while attending Saturday’s tailgate, as we have already received a significant donation towards the endowment program.
While looking at the short-term, we also have an active Foundation account which is used to fund immediate needs such as travel, association fees, player gear and apparel, field equipment, referees, marketing materials, recruitment handouts, coach and player development courses, supporter events, and the list goes on. This academic year alone, we estimate a total fiscal impact of $20,000, the most in our organization’s brief history. This achievement alone is proof that you support our work because you believe in what we do, and because you want to help make a difference in the lives of our players. With these funds, we can remain one of the leading programs in the country and continue to prepare our student athletes to achieve great things. In lieu of money, one can also donate his time and services. I encourage you to contact the Foundation to learn more.
Unfortunately, even with this success, we continue to face the reality of being a ‘club sport’ on a major university campus. Despite our history and national recognition, the team was forced to relinquish their field, ‘The Proving Grounds’, formerly the football practice facility across from Williams-Brice stadium, along with every other green space on campus, to host university sponsored Parent’s Weekend events. In fact, even the meeting room normally set aside to host the rugby parents, located only two miles from the ‘Proving Grounds’, was allocated as well. This change left us searching for suitable replacements with limited time. Luckily, USC faculty advisor, Pat Hanly (Olde Boy ’78), was able to negotiate the Darla Moore School of Business rooftop pavilion at the last moment for the Parent’s ‘Meet & Greet’. Thank you again, Pat! The field, on the other hand, was a different story. Owen’s Field became the only viable option within the city, despite its size and conditions, and the lack of sufficient lighting required us to move up the start time, causing some overlap with the Parent’s ‘Meet & Greet’. The situation was far from ideal and not what the team had in mind for hosting, especially for this event, though the players worked to transport materials and set up camp to create as much of a positive out of a negative as they could. While we will continue to work on this for future events, I thank the team for their efforts, and I’m especially appreciative of your understanding to those who inquired on site. From what I saw, those that played had fun and there was a Great Zulu Warrior chant with alumni and current players. I appreciate the coaching staff for organizing the sidelines and rosters, over 45 players, many of whom were experiencing their very first alumni match, and former assistant coach and current top level referee John Meyers for officiating the match. The parents were also excited to watch their sons compete and to have an opportunity to experience the brotherhood that they too will cherish the rest of their lives.
The after-match social was especially memorable for me, having the opportunity to personally check everyone in. The polos and balls were well received, and the food and beverages were a highlight as they’ve always been since our playing days. Many thanks to Max Minnillo (Olde Boy ’10) for offering his establishment, The Saloon, and Connor Hobbs (Olde Boy ’12) for providing the food from The Barn. It was great to have two young COBers involved and seeing them doing well. I especially want to thank Rick LeBel (Olde Boy ’74) for recognizing our founders and family tree, and for doing an awesome job in encouraging the original crew to come back. (Thank you again for recognizing my efforts with the South Carolina High School League!) I enjoyed speaking with the current players, meeting some of the women’s players, and cringing after hearing some of the songs I used to sing. We were also given a surprise recognition by USA Rugby’s Erik Geib (Olde Boy ’07) for 50 years of excellence. Thank you, Erik!
Saturday saw an outstanding combined tailgate for both alumni and parents hosted by Mark Rockefeller (Olde Boy ’86) with the help of Jim Farrar (Olde Boy ’10), George the BBQ man, my wife Margaret and her 6 gallons of homemade mac & cheese, and many others who I wish I could name. The music was electric, the food was amazing, and the canopy tent from the team was well appreciated. At the tailgate, we met Dan Keating, who played at Boston College from 84 to 88 and against our 87 Mardi-Gras championship USC team. Dan’s son Stuart plays for USC. We had dad, son, and USC Alumni sharing great times together. Danny Callahan, USC Scrum half, and his dad/board member and mom were at all events throughout weekend. USC Captain, Micah Stewart, and his mom and dad were at the match, tailgate, and football game. It was great to see Mrs. Stewart and Sandy Frazier dancing to ‘Shout!’. 50 years later and he still sweeps the floor! It was extremely gratifying to know how much Sandy enjoyed the event and how it renewed his passion and support. There are more examples, though what’s most important is the fun and camaraderie that was enjoyed by all this past weekend. We would certainly like to see more participation, though competing activities hosted by the University for the families during Parents Weekend kept many from attending every event. We also missed Coach Morris on Saturday who was called in to manage an out-of-town event with his work while his boss was overseas. Scheduling conflicts are not always avoidable, though something we will continue to evaluate for future years.
For me, this weekend was memorable in many ways, though it would not have been possible without the contributions of so many. There will always be room to grow and to improve, and with that, I enlist your support as we look ahead in planning future events. There have been several variations to COB Weekend over the years to varying levels of success, so it will take everyone’s involvement to create a valued product. George Lussier (Olde Boy ’76) did a great job adding an early afternoon golf outing to this year’s event which I hope to see continue.
So, I leave you with these words from the late Anthony Foley of Munster Rugby: "If it's not the team you support, it's the club you should support. The team on the pitch will ebb and flow; that's the nature of sport. There's no team ever who has been successful decade-on-decade. The club is the history, the thing you should follow and that should be the passion you have." Let’s use our collective passion to advance this program beyond our wildest dreams and continue to support the bigger picture of Gamecock Rugby and its mission for the next 50 years. Who’s in?!
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Fall Practice Times Beginning Aug 24th
A car pooling system has been arranged for training sessions taking place at Bluff Rd Field. Team members are expected to be booted and ready to warm-up 15 minutes early. Please show up to practice with all necessary forms filled out and ready, if possible. Incoming players, please contact Team Administrator Wyndsor Doyle.
Athletic Trainers & Concussion EvaluationsAll players are required to meet with the Athletic Training staff for a 5min examination before they are allowed to engage in any contact, to include practice. Trainers will be stationed in their Strom Thurmond Wellness Center office during the following times to provide the examinations: Mon - Thurs 3pm to 7pm / Tues & Fri 11am to 1pm
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Bluff Road Training Facility |
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