2021/2022 News and Headlines
Gamecocks win big
(3.29.22)
The University of South Carolina completed a sweep of the competition at the Classic City 7s Tournament March 26 in Athens.
Hosted by the University of Georgia, the Gamecocks ran past their five opponents by a combined score of 170-7. The A-side logged wins over UGA-B 36-0, Vanderbilt 28-0, Kennesaw State 49-0, Valdosta State 45-0 and Georgia 12-7 (finals).
The Gamecock B-side put in a solid performance by finishing 2-3 and taking home victories against Valdosta State and Kennesaw State.
The Gamecocks return to action April 10 when the program hosts to the Gamecock Invitational 7s Tournament. more...
Citadel Tourney a mixed bag
(03.15.22)
The University of South Carolina men’s rugby club played poorly during the first half of the Citadel Invitational March 5 but recovered in afternoon games.
Facing a talented field that included Clemson, SRC leader Citadel and Western Michigan, the Gamecocks took an early 5-0 lead over the Tigers during the tournament’s opening game but were worn away by Clemson who secured a 26-5 win.
The Gamecocks did not fair any better against Western Michigan in their second contest and were undone by knock ons and penalties, losing 20-5.
The second half of the day was much better. The Gamecocks bested the Citadel 19-7, which defeated the Tigers 19-7 in a morning game. Later, the Gamecocks closed the gap against Western Michigan, but fell short by a failed end-of-game conversion, 19-17.
The Gamecock reserve side, which included many players playing their first 7s matches, finished 0-3-1. So far this season, the Gamecocks have compiled a 6-6-1 record and will travel to the University of Georgia March 26 for a 7s Invitational. more...
Taking home hardware
(2.23.22)
The University of South Carolina men’s rugby club took home hardware at the Furman Invitational 7’s Tournament Feb. 12 in Greenville.
The men’s team finished the day 3-2 and logged victories over the Citadel, UNC and Lander. The team dropped games to Furman (17-12) and Kentucky (31-14), the tournament champion.
The Gamecocks defeated the Citadel (19-14), Lander (17-7) and the University of North Carolina (26-6) in the plate championship.
“After weeks of preparation, this was a great way for us to knock off the rust and dive into 7s,” said South Carolina Coach John Roberts. “We improved each game. This was a great launching pad for the season.”
South Carolina entered the tournament a bit short-handed, being down three starters due to injury.
Andrew Reese, a talented sophomore, was lost for the season last week due to a knee injury. Senior Grayson Toney (nose), Freshman Peter Blackburn (ankle) were also held out of the line-up. And sophomore Jack van Vliet was injured during the first game and could not continue.
Those three should return to the line-up when the squad travels to Tuscaloosa February 26 for a tournament hosted by the University of Alabama.
Scores:
9:00 10 FU v Lander 7
9:20 19 USC v Citadel 14
9:40 0 FU B v UGA 29
10:00 29 UK v UNC 0
10:20 15 FU v Citadel 20
10:40 7 Lander v USC 17
11:00 0 FU B v UK 43
11:20 14 UGA v UNC 24
11:40 17 FU v USC 12
12:00 30 Citadel v Lander 10
12:20 0 FU B v UNC 22
12:40 0 UGA v UK 27
1:30 22 Cit vs UNC 17 (Cup Semi)
1:50 14 USC vs UK 31 (Cup Semi)
2:10 33 FU v FUB 5 (Bowl Semi)
2:30 12 LU vs UGA 33 (Bowl Semi)
2:50 10 Cit vs UK 12 (Cup Final)
3:10 7 UNC vs USC 26 (Plate Final)
3:30 19 FU vs UGA 31 (Bowl Final)
Three Gamecocks collect SCRC honors (12.15.21)
Senior captain John Golden, junior Dan Golden and sophomore Grant Howard have been selected to the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference (SCRC) second team. John and his brother, Dan are from Huntington, New York.
John started the season at scrum-half but was later moved to fly-half. Dan anchored the Gamecock backline with excellent center play. Both are from Huntington, New York. Howard, who is from Rye, New York, plays 8-man for the Gamecocks.
The primary lineout jumper for the team, Howard was also one of the leading tacklers for South Carolina, which completed the fall campaign with a 5-5 record. Tennessee, which won the D1-AA national championship, placed nine members on the conference first and second teams, followed by Clemson (7), and Kentucky and Georgia (both with five). More…
Connecticut bound (12.31.21)
The Carolina Rugby Foundation is working to develop a February 11-13 event in Connecticut. An anchor event for the weekend will be Coach Roberts’ participation in the February 12 College Showcase and Combine Day at Staples High School.
While Roberts is the area, the Foundation is exploring outreach opportunities that could include: A Friday reception for rugby parents, recruits, and alumni. Scheduled meetings between Roberts and high school coaches in New Jersey and Southeast New York State. If you have an idea or would like to participate in event planning and outreach, please email Coach Roberts.
Three Gamecocks collect SCRC honors (12.17.21)
Senior captain John Golden, junior Dan Golden and sophomore Grant Howard have been selected to the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference (SCRC) second team. John and his brother, Dan are from Huntington, New York.
John started the season at scrum-half but was later moved to fly-half. Dan anchored the Gamecock backline with excellent center play. Both are from Huntington, New York. Howard, who is from Rye, New York, plays 8-man for the Gamecocks.
The primary lineout jumper for the team, Howard was also one of the leading tacklers for South Carolina, which completed the fall campaign with a 5-5 record. Tennessee, which won the D1-AA national championship, placed nine members on the conference first and second teams, followed by Clemson (7), and Kentucky and Georgia (both with five). More…
Connecticut bound (12.15.21)
The Carolina Rugby Foundation is working to develop a February 11-13 event in Connecticut. An anchor event for the weekend will be Coach Roberts’ participation in the February 12 College Showcase and Combine Day at Staples High School.
While Roberts is the area, the Foundation is exploring outreach opportunities that could include: A Friday reception for rugby parents, recruits, and alumni. Scheduled meetings between Roberts and high school coaches in New Jersey and Southeast New York State. If you have an idea or would like to participate in event planning and outreach, please email Coach Roberts.
A weekend to remember (11.15.21)
video recap
More than 150 alumni, players and parents took part in the University of South Carolina Rugby Alumni Weekend November 12-13.
The festivities, which included the annual alumni game, Friday and Saturday night celebrations and a club game against the University of Alabama, was the largest and most well-received event in recent memory.
While alumni weekend traditionally serves as a rally point for old teammates to rekindle friendships, this year’s gathering was special as it marked the successful conclusion of the Carolina Coaching Initiative. Launched in July, the effort raised more than $80,000 to hire the program’s first paid coach: John Roberts, a member of the Class of 1990. Roberts, who was onboarded as a University of South Carolina employee November 15, won three national championships while coaching at Furman University.
“We have opened a new chapter in Carolina Rugby history,” said Robert Balmer, Chairman of the Carolina Rugby Foundation. “This weekend we celebrated the successful conclusion of the coaching campaign and we set the table for future projects. Our rugby alumni, parents, players and friends have never been more excited or optimistic about our program.”
South Carolina 32 KSU 5
November 7, 2021
The University of South Carolina Men’s Rugby Club got back on the winning track with a 32-5 win over conference opponent Kennesaw State University Saturday.
The Gamecocks scored two trys in the first half and turned away several scoring opportunities by the home-team Owls. Carolina broke the game open in the second half by playing better defense and scoring three trys. Issac Ambs and Nico Fiorilla, starting for the first time, were among those who found the try zone.
With the win, the Gamecocks move to 2-3 on the season.
“I am proud of the way the team responded coming off three losses to highly ranked Tennessee, Kentucky and Clemson,” said South Carolina first-year Coach John Roberts. “We did a much better job of spreading the field and using tactical kicking to keep the ball moving forward.”
Carolina closes the conference schedule with a home game this Saturday against Alabama. The kick-off time, probably noon or 1 p.m., will be announced early this week.
Georgia 17 South Carolina 15
September 13, 2021
The University of Georgia converted a difficult try conversion with no time left in the game to hand the South Carolina men’s rugby club a difficult season opener defeat 17-15 on the Proving Grounds at the Bluff Road recreation complex September 11.
The lead shifted several times in the back-and-forth affair.
The Gamecocks led the contest 3-0 at halftime before Georgia shoved over a try early in the first half to take a 7-3 lead. South Carolina quickly responded with a try by a Dan Golden to put the Gamecocks up 10-7. Georgia converted a penalty kick near the 60-minute market to ty the contest.
Seven minutes later, Gamecock fly-half Ryan Hernandez found the try zone to the give the Gamecocks a 15-10 lead after the failed conversion.
With time running out the Bulldogs took advantage of some missed tackles and found the corner of the try zone. The Bulldog kicker converted a difficult conversion to seal the contest as the long whistle blew.
The Gamecocks dominated line outs (the Dogs converted just 33 percent of their line outs) and time of possession. The larger and very athletic Georgia side wore down the Gamecocks late in the contest.
“We played very well in spots, but our tackling failed when it counted,” said coach John Roberts. “Our lack of conditioning proved the difference as we have only had five training sessions. Those are very fixable, and we will work on that in the coming weeks.”
The Gamecocks are open this weekend and host the Citadel September 25. The Gamecocks will not have access to the Bluff Road facility for this home contest as it coincides with a home football game. The club will be announcing an alternative venue and kick time later this week.
Back at it! (9.06.21)
After more than a year without play, the Gamecocks knocked off the rust during a series of shortened halves at Furman University Saturday. The Gamecocks, under the direction of first-year head coach John Roberts, opened the day by besting Furman 1 try to 0. In the second game, Carolina tied Belmont Abbey (a new varsity program) 1 try to 1 try. In the third and final contest, the Gamecocks scored three trys to Citadel’s one. Each period was 20 minutes. The Gamecocks travelled with a playing roster of 27 and 10 new and developing players.
Cock Flyhalf Ryan Hernandez was recognized by the collective coaches from each team for his exceptional play.
“It was a challenge to get everyone meaningful playing time as we only had 60 minutes of play,” said Roberts. “Our coaching staff was able to assess our team play, and we improved with each half. The boys were excited to return to play. We are looking forward to getting more players playing time next week against Georgia as they will be travelling great numbers.
The Gamecocks will face Georgia this Saturday at Blatt Field. Kick off is set for 1 p.m. with multiple games being played.
Return to Play! (9.02.21)
The Gamecocks will look to kick off more than a year of rust off Saturday when the team takes to the pitch that is named in honor of their new head coach, John Roberts.
The Cocks will play a series of shortened halves against Furman, Belmont Abbey and the Citadel. In total, the team will get about 60 minutes of time on the pitch in these controlled scrimmages.
The complete schedule is:
11:00 FU - Belmont Abbey
11:25 FU – USC
11:50 USC v Belmont Abbey
12:20 FU v Citadel
12:45 Citadel v USC
1:10 Citadel v Belmont Abbey
All games will be played on John S. Roberts Rugby Field on the Furman campus. The pitch is named in honor of USC Coach John Roberts, who coached the Furman team for nearly 20 years before stepping away in 2018.
He joined the USC program, his alma mater, just weeks ago.
The Gamecocks are coming off a 1-4 fall 2019 campaign, finishing fourth in the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference. South Carolina has had only four practices as the team and new coaching staff (including Chris Holmes and Tony Coggiola) work to become acquainted and establish new systems.
“Everyone has been drinking from a fire hose this week,” said Roberts. “We have all new coaches and a ton of new players. This will be our first opportunity to see everyone under live fire.”
He added that team enthusiasm is elevated, and the squad is anxious to get back on the field.
“Like every team, our boys are just ripping at the chance to get back on the pitch and play the game they love. It has been a long time.”
The Gamecocks will look to kick off more than a year of rust off Saturday when the team takes to the pitch that is named in honor of their new head coach, John Roberts.
The Cocks will play a series of shortened halves against Furman, Belmont Abbey and the Citadel. In total, the team will get about 60 minutes of time on the pitch in these controlled scrimmages.
The complete schedule is:
11:00 FU - Belmont Abbey
11:25 FU – USC
11:50 USC v Belmont Abbey
12:20 FU v Citadel
12:45 Citadel v USC
1:10 Citadel v Belmont Abbey
All games will be played on John S. Roberts Rugby Field on the Furman campus. The pitch is named in honor of USC Coach John Roberts, who coached the Furman team for nearly 20 years before stepping away in 2018.
He joined the USC program, his alma mater, just weeks ago.
The Gamecocks are coming off a 1-4 fall 2019 campaign, finishing fourth in the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference. South Carolina has had only four practices as the team and new coaching staff (including Chris Holmes and Tony Coggiola) work to become acquainted and establish new systems.
“Everyone has been drinking from a fire hose this week,” said Roberts. “We have all new coaches and a ton of new players. This will be our first opportunity to see everyone under live fire.”
He added that team enthusiasm is elevated, and the squad is anxious to get back on the field.
“Like every team, our boys are just ripping at the chance to get back on the pitch and play the game they love. It has been a long time.”
Election Results (5.27.21)
Members of the Carolina Rugby Foundation have elected the following officers.
Chairman: Robert Balmer
Vice Chairman: John Hinks, Jr.
Secretary: Eric Geib
Treasurer: Micah Stewart
Sergeant at Arms: Chris Murphy.
The Foundation expresses our enduring gratitude to Jeff Smolka and Phillip Rockefeller who are rotating off the Foundation board. We know they will continue to serve Carolina Rugby in other ways.
Lastly, we ask everyone to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom during this long Memorial Day weekend.
Members of the Carolina Rugby Foundation have elected the following officers.
Chairman: Robert Balmer
Vice Chairman: John Hinks, Jr.
Secretary: Eric Geib
Treasurer: Micah Stewart
Sergeant at Arms: Chris Murphy.
The Foundation expresses our enduring gratitude to Jeff Smolka and Phillip Rockefeller who are rotating off the Foundation board. We know they will continue to serve Carolina Rugby in other ways.
Members of the Carolina Rugby Foundation have elected the following officers.
Chairman: Robert Balmer
Vice Chairman: John Hinks, Jr.
Secretary: Eric Geib
Treasurer: Micah Stewart
Sergeant at Arms: Chris Murphy.
The Foundation expresses our enduring gratitude to Jeff Smolka and Phillip Rockefeller who are rotating off the Foundation board. We know they will continue to serve Carolina Rugby in other ways.
Lastly, we ask everyone to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom during this long Memorial Day weekend.
Members of the Carolina Rugby Foundation have elected the following officers.
Chairman: Robert Balmer
Vice Chairman: John Hinks, Jr.
Secretary: Eric Geib
Treasurer: Micah Stewart
Sergeant at Arms: Chris Murphy.
The Foundation expresses our enduring gratitude to Jeff Smolka and Phillip Rockefeller who are rotating off the Foundation board. We know they will continue to serve Carolina Rugby in other ways.
Board candidates and members
Over the last two weeks, the Carolina Rugby Foundation has received board nominations for chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer and sergeant-at-arms. Robert Balmer, chairman of the board, and John Roberts, a special liaison to board, spoke to all nominees.
Two enthusiastically accepted their nomination. The others expressed their support for the Foundation, but wanted to serve in another capacity. Phillip Rockefeller, current secretary, has also decided to serve the Foundation in a non-office role and has stepped down from that position.
“We have spoken to each nominee and they support our efforts to energize our Foundation membership and elevate our program,” said Balmer. “We look forward to working with them in the immediate future as we lay the groundwork for an exciting announcement.”
Nominees for the positions are:
Chairman: Robert Balmer
Vice Chairman: Jeff Smolka, John Hinks, Jr.
Secretary: Eric Geib
Treasurer: Micah Stewart
Sergeant at Arms: Chris Murphy.
Profiles of these candidates are posted on the Foundation webpage.
In keeping with the by-law rules, only Foundation members (those who have made a gift since 2019) may vote in the election. According to Foundation records, the following individuals are members:
Albert Catlett
Ashe Prawl
Brian Keown
Bruce Whiteford
Chris Murphy
Carl Casper
Colin Kane
Dana Corcoran
Daniel Callahan
David Satz
Donald Conway
Garett Smith
George Geiser
George Miller
Greg Hudson
Jacqueline Keown
James Pond
James Stone
Jeff Smolka
Jennifer Honig
John Roberts
Luke Bolembach
Lyle Richards
Mark Stiles
Mark Swearingen
Michael Callahan
Michael Gorman
Michael Kerr
Owen Shearer
Paul Bell
Paul Callahan
Peter Carreon
Phillip Rockefeller
Phillip Harris
Richard Bates
Robert Balmer
Robert Bell
Ronald West
Rose Impagliazzo
Rudy Salvucci
Sarah Gauthier
Shawn Morris
Thomas Rogers
Thomas Wissing
Tim Brown
Members will be emailed instructions about how to vote Monday, May 17. If you have made a donation to the Foundation and are not included in the list, please contact our Treasurer Micah Stewart.
If you are not a member and would like to participate in the election, you may make your donation here.
Over the last two weeks, the Carolina Rugby Foundation has received board nominations for chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer and sergeant-at-arms. Robert Balmer, chairman of the board, and John Roberts, a special liaison to board, spoke to all nominees.
Two enthusiastically accepted their nomination. The others expressed their support for the Foundation, but wanted to serve in another capacity. Phillip Rockefeller, current secretary, has also decided to serve the Foundation in a non-office role and has stepped down from that position.
“We have spoken to each nominee and they support our efforts to energize our Foundation membership and elevate our program,” said Balmer. “We look forward to working with them in the immediate future as we lay the groundwork for an exciting announcement.”
Nominees for the positions are:
Chairman: Robert Balmer
Vice Chairman: Jeff Smolka, John Hinks, Jr.
Secretary: Eric Geib
Treasurer: Micah Stewart
Sergeant at Arms: Chris Murphy.
Profiles of these candidates are posted on the Foundation webpage.
In keeping with the by-law rules, only Foundation members (those who have made a gift since 2019) may vote in the election. According to Foundation records, the following individuals are members:
Albert Catlett
Ashe Prawl
Brian Keown
Bruce Whiteford
Chris Murphy
Carl Casper
Colin Kane
Dana Corcoran
Daniel Callahan
David Satz
Donald Conway
Garett Smith
George Geiser
George Miller
Greg Hudson
Jacqueline Keown
James Pond
James Stone
Jeff Smolka
Jennifer Honig
John Roberts
Luke Bolembach
Lyle Richards
Mark Stiles
Mark Swearingen
Michael Callahan
Michael Gorman
Michael Kerr
Owen Shearer
Paul Bell
Paul Callahan
Peter Carreon
Phillip Rockefeller
Phillip Harris
Richard Bates
Robert Balmer
Robert Bell
Ronald West
Rose Impagliazzo
Rudy Salvucci
Sarah Gauthier
Shawn Morris
Thomas Rogers
Thomas Wissing
Tim Brown
Members will be emailed instructions about how to vote Monday, May 17. If you have made a donation to the Foundation and are not included in the list, please contact our Treasurer Micah Stewart.
If you are not a member and would like to participate in the election, you may make your donation here.
Board to hold elections, excited for Fall season (4.23.21)
Members of the Carolina Rugby Foundation will have an opportunity to elect five positions to the Foundation board early next month.
Coming off a difficult pandemic year that has limited rugby play, Robert Balmer, chair of the Foundation, said the board is laying the groundwork to execute a plan this summer that will energize alumni and transform Carolina rugby as the Gamecocks return to full-play in the fall.
Those elected to the Foundation, he said, will be the driving force behind this exciting yet-to-be announced plan.
“In the coming months, the Foundation will be calling on our collective alumni to support Carolina rugby,” said Balmer, a member of the Class of 1989. ““We want our rugby community to submit nominees for these offices. We need folks who are willing to commit their time and treasure to the University of South Carolina men’s rugby program.”
Most recently, Geoff Mason stepped down as board chair to pursue other rugby interests. Robert Balmer, a financial advisor has been serving as acting chair since Mason’s departure. Other members of the current board include:
Chairman: Robert Balmer
Vice Chairman: Jeff Smolka
Secretary: Phillip Rockefeller
Treasurer: Micah Stewart
Sergeant at Arms: Chris Murphy
Each position and corresponding job responsibilities are posted in the by laws. According to these laws any member of the University of South Carolina rugby community may submit a nomination. Only members of the Carolina Rugby Foundation (those who have made a gift to Foundation during the past year) may vote on the nominations.
If you would like to become a voting member and have not made a gift, you may do so by visiting this site and make your gift before May 2.
If you would like to nominate a candidate, please send the nominee’s name, positions you are nominating him/her for and the nominee’s contact information by visiting this page by May 2.
All nominees will be notified on May 2 and have five days to reject or accept the nomination. Voting will held through electronic mail on May 10-11, with the winners declared May 12.
Chris Murphy, a member of the Class of 1991, the Foundation’s Sergeant at Arms and an operating partner at Luminate Capital Partners said the Foundation is laying the groundwork to galvanize Carolina Rugby Alumni as the Gamecocks return to full play in the Fall.
“Given the impact of the pandemic, the past year has been challenging for Carolina Rugby,” he said. “The Carolina Rugby Foundation is now focused on implementing a plan to create a significant amount of momentum going into the Fall 2021 season. There is so much exciting detail that will be shared in the coming months, but first we need your help by nominating energetic board candidates, completing our contact form and making a gift to Carolina rugby.”
Members of the Carolina Rugby Foundation will have an opportunity to elect five positions to the Foundation board early next month.
Coming off a difficult pandemic year that has limited rugby play, Robert Balmer, chair of the Foundation, said the board is laying the groundwork to execute a plan this summer that will energize alumni and transform Carolina rugby as the Gamecocks return to full-play in the fall.
Those elected to the Foundation, he said, will be the driving force behind this exciting yet-to-be announced plan.
“In the coming months, the Foundation will be calling on our collective alumni to support Carolina rugby,” said Balmer, a member of the Class of 1989. ““We want our rugby community to submit nominees for these offices. We need folks who are willing to commit their time and treasure to the University of South Carolina men’s rugby program.”
Most recently, Geoff Mason stepped down as board chair to pursue other rugby interests. Robert Balmer, a financial advisor has been serving as acting chair since Mason’s departure. Other members of the current board include:
Chairman: Robert Balmer
Vice Chairman: Jeff Smolka
Secretary: Phillip Rockefeller
Treasurer: Micah Stewart
Sergeant at Arms: Chris Murphy
Each position and corresponding job responsibilities are posted in the by laws. According to these laws any member of the University of South Carolina rugby community may submit a nomination. Only members of the Carolina Rugby Foundation (those who have made a gift to Foundation during the past year) may vote on the nominations.
If you would like to become a voting member and have not made a gift, you may do so by visiting this site and make your gift before May 2.
If you would like to nominate a candidate, please send the nominee’s name, positions you are nominating him/her for and the nominee’s contact information by visiting this page by May 2.
All nominees will be notified on May 2 and have five days to reject or accept the nomination. Voting will held through electronic mail on May 10-11, with the winners declared May 12.
Chris Murphy, a member of the Class of 1991, the Foundation’s Sergeant at Arms and an operating partner at Luminate Capital Partners said the Foundation is laying the groundwork to galvanize Carolina Rugby Alumni as the Gamecocks return to full play in the Fall.
“Given the impact of the pandemic, the past year has been challenging for Carolina Rugby,” he said. “The Carolina Rugby Foundation is now focused on implementing a plan to create a significant amount of momentum going into the Fall 2021 season. There is so much exciting detail that will be shared in the coming months, but first we need your help by nominating energetic board candidates, completing our contact form and making a gift to Carolina rugby.”