About Men's Rugby at the University of South Carolina
Founded in 1967, the Men's Rugby at the University of South Carolina is the oldest club sport at USC, boasting a long and distinguished record of success. In 2007, the team was promoted to USA Rugby South Division 1 (one of only 7 Southern universities), where we competed against some of the most renowned teams in the nation. In 2008 and 2009, USC continued to demonstrate its national notoriety with proud showings in the National Top 25 collegiate rankings (American Rugby News), reaching as high as 22nd overall. In 2010, we founded the Carolinas Rugby League along with six of our closest competitors, ultimately advancing to the South Final Four and reaching as high as 20th in the national rankings.
Starting in Fall 2011, we began competing in the newly-revised Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference with some of the nation's most competitive teams. Our hard work is evident throughout the school year, as our season encompasses both the Fall and Spring Semesters. In addition to scheduled matches, we compete in a number of tournaments including the Southeastern Olympic 7s Tournament and the Palmetto State Tournament, which we have won more times than any other team in South Carolina. Several team members are also annually selected to the Palmetto Rugby Union Collegiate All-Star team and compete in the USA Rugby South Collegiate All-Star Tournament each November, where they are selected to tryout for the USA Rugby South Collegiate All-Star side that plays in Glendale, CO each summer. In 2010, sophomore Ian Toomey did just that, starring for a South All-Star Team that won the All-Star National Championship.
With the direction of eight USA Rugby certified coaches, our team not only teaches the love of the game, but also the many skills and techniques that are necessary to compete. Our coaches hail from widely diverse backgrounds, including Assistant Coach Geoff Mason, who is one of only a few former professional players coaching a collegiate rugby program in the nation today.
We maintain a policy that everyone has the opportunity to play regardless of ability. With this philosophy, we are able to sustain a roster of 70+ players, which enables us to field three sides on any given game weekend. In fact, during the Fall 2009 season, Men's Rugby at USC was the nation's third largest rugby team. Our Palmetto C side serves as our developmental side, currently competing in Division 3 with its own schedule and coaching staff. USC Men’s Rugby is proud to boast that we are the only program in the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference that has three sides of competitive ruggers.
The Men's Rugby Team is a proud tenant of the Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center's showcase field, and we also have two additional pitches (here and here) on which we practice and play when necessary. Less than five years old, our field is widely considered by visiting coaches, teams, players, and fans as "the most beautiful pitch in the South.” The Men's Rugby Team at the University of South Carolina is proud to call this pitch home for many years to come.
Our alumni, the Carolina Olde Boys, are among some of the most dedicated in the nation, with many donating both time and money to continue to support the team that taught them the game they love. C.O.B. members regularly attend USC home matches, including the team's annual affair with Clemson, and are generally very supportive of the the team through the purchasing of new equipment and providing assistance when necessary to fund the team's playoff runs. Each fall, C.O.B. members trek back to Columbia to take on USC in the annual alumni game and to recall the many stories of their college years. In 2007, the team celebrated its 40th Anniversary in style, with over 120 participants in the weekend's activities.
The Men's Rugby Team at the University of South Carolina regularly participates in various philanthropic activities through the school year and beyond. Our commitment to growing the game, as well as our community, is a testament to the character and values instilled in our players and our program. On campus, the Men's Rugby Team is a regular partner with the annual Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive, wherein we assist the American Red Cross in its on-campus operation. The team also regularly works with the South Carolina High School Rugby league, as the league's founder and several of its coaches are among our alumni. In the summer of 2009, USC began a tradition of sponsoring a local U19 Sevens squad, with the side victorious in numerous tournaments around the southeast. In 2010, the team began supporting the newly-founded South Carolina Youth Rugby League through the donation of various equipment kits to be used in area elementary & middle school P.E. classes, further promoting the sport of rugby with the players of tomorrow.
If you require additional information, or if you like to arrange a visit during the season, you may contact us directly at sorugby@mailbox.sc.edu.
Starting in Fall 2011, we began competing in the newly-revised Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference with some of the nation's most competitive teams. Our hard work is evident throughout the school year, as our season encompasses both the Fall and Spring Semesters. In addition to scheduled matches, we compete in a number of tournaments including the Southeastern Olympic 7s Tournament and the Palmetto State Tournament, which we have won more times than any other team in South Carolina. Several team members are also annually selected to the Palmetto Rugby Union Collegiate All-Star team and compete in the USA Rugby South Collegiate All-Star Tournament each November, where they are selected to tryout for the USA Rugby South Collegiate All-Star side that plays in Glendale, CO each summer. In 2010, sophomore Ian Toomey did just that, starring for a South All-Star Team that won the All-Star National Championship.
With the direction of eight USA Rugby certified coaches, our team not only teaches the love of the game, but also the many skills and techniques that are necessary to compete. Our coaches hail from widely diverse backgrounds, including Assistant Coach Geoff Mason, who is one of only a few former professional players coaching a collegiate rugby program in the nation today.
We maintain a policy that everyone has the opportunity to play regardless of ability. With this philosophy, we are able to sustain a roster of 70+ players, which enables us to field three sides on any given game weekend. In fact, during the Fall 2009 season, Men's Rugby at USC was the nation's third largest rugby team. Our Palmetto C side serves as our developmental side, currently competing in Division 3 with its own schedule and coaching staff. USC Men’s Rugby is proud to boast that we are the only program in the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference that has three sides of competitive ruggers.
The Men's Rugby Team is a proud tenant of the Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center's showcase field, and we also have two additional pitches (here and here) on which we practice and play when necessary. Less than five years old, our field is widely considered by visiting coaches, teams, players, and fans as "the most beautiful pitch in the South.” The Men's Rugby Team at the University of South Carolina is proud to call this pitch home for many years to come.
Our alumni, the Carolina Olde Boys, are among some of the most dedicated in the nation, with many donating both time and money to continue to support the team that taught them the game they love. C.O.B. members regularly attend USC home matches, including the team's annual affair with Clemson, and are generally very supportive of the the team through the purchasing of new equipment and providing assistance when necessary to fund the team's playoff runs. Each fall, C.O.B. members trek back to Columbia to take on USC in the annual alumni game and to recall the many stories of their college years. In 2007, the team celebrated its 40th Anniversary in style, with over 120 participants in the weekend's activities.
The Men's Rugby Team at the University of South Carolina regularly participates in various philanthropic activities through the school year and beyond. Our commitment to growing the game, as well as our community, is a testament to the character and values instilled in our players and our program. On campus, the Men's Rugby Team is a regular partner with the annual Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive, wherein we assist the American Red Cross in its on-campus operation. The team also regularly works with the South Carolina High School Rugby league, as the league's founder and several of its coaches are among our alumni. In the summer of 2009, USC began a tradition of sponsoring a local U19 Sevens squad, with the side victorious in numerous tournaments around the southeast. In 2010, the team began supporting the newly-founded South Carolina Youth Rugby League through the donation of various equipment kits to be used in area elementary & middle school P.E. classes, further promoting the sport of rugby with the players of tomorrow.
If you require additional information, or if you like to arrange a visit during the season, you may contact us directly at sorugby@mailbox.sc.edu.
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