Board of Directors & Support Staff
Chairman: Geoff Mason
Following the completion of his 13th year as Head coach of the Carolina Rugby program, Geoff Mason announced his retirement from the position in the Fall of 2011 and a return to the assistant coaching staff.
Mason’s tenure included an overall record of 166 wins, 94 losses and 8 ties. Under his leadership the rugby team enjoyed five South Territory appearances, five Palmetto Tournament championships, and a promotion to South Division I, a title held by only six other universities at the time.
A native of Australia, Geoff Mason played both rugby league and rugby union for 35 years, beginning at age seven. A success on the field, he played in the New South Wales Rugby League competition for Sydney University, Newtown and Penrith in the 1970's as a prop and second row and represented Newcastle against New Zealand in 1978. From there, he emigrated to the US in 1980 and was a Player/Coach at USC from 1983-1985. Upon graduation, Mason played for the Columbia Olde Grey from '86-'90 where he represented the South in the National All-Star Championships. In 1991, Coach Mason returned to USC where he assumed the head coaching position for four seasons, taking the team as far as the South Final Four.
With Coach Mason's return to USC in the spring of 2004, USC rose to new heights. Taking over a previously under-achieving Division II team, Coach Mason quickly helped the team reach the USA Rugby South Division II playoffs in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Building on this success, coupled with increased performance on the organization level, the team moved to the South's Division I. From '08-'11 USC was continually ranked in the National Top 25 Division 1 rankings and received a bid to the South Playoffs against Arkansas State in 2010. As a result of his strong leadership of the team, Carolina Rugby now boasts three sides, making it one of the largest collegiate rugby teams in the nation.
Considering Mason’s competitive nature and love for Carolina Rugby, it came as no surprise that he would stay on as an essential part of the program. “It is hard to step back from the head coaching position, but family and other commitments require it. I have been able to have positive and long lasting friendships with hundreds of players and coaches both at USC and the rugby community at large and hope I have created an ongoing love for the game among the students who have participated in our program.”
Mason’s tenure included an overall record of 166 wins, 94 losses and 8 ties. Under his leadership the rugby team enjoyed five South Territory appearances, five Palmetto Tournament championships, and a promotion to South Division I, a title held by only six other universities at the time.
A native of Australia, Geoff Mason played both rugby league and rugby union for 35 years, beginning at age seven. A success on the field, he played in the New South Wales Rugby League competition for Sydney University, Newtown and Penrith in the 1970's as a prop and second row and represented Newcastle against New Zealand in 1978. From there, he emigrated to the US in 1980 and was a Player/Coach at USC from 1983-1985. Upon graduation, Mason played for the Columbia Olde Grey from '86-'90 where he represented the South in the National All-Star Championships. In 1991, Coach Mason returned to USC where he assumed the head coaching position for four seasons, taking the team as far as the South Final Four.
With Coach Mason's return to USC in the spring of 2004, USC rose to new heights. Taking over a previously under-achieving Division II team, Coach Mason quickly helped the team reach the USA Rugby South Division II playoffs in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Building on this success, coupled with increased performance on the organization level, the team moved to the South's Division I. From '08-'11 USC was continually ranked in the National Top 25 Division 1 rankings and received a bid to the South Playoffs against Arkansas State in 2010. As a result of his strong leadership of the team, Carolina Rugby now boasts three sides, making it one of the largest collegiate rugby teams in the nation.
Considering Mason’s competitive nature and love for Carolina Rugby, it came as no surprise that he would stay on as an essential part of the program. “It is hard to step back from the head coaching position, but family and other commitments require it. I have been able to have positive and long lasting friendships with hundreds of players and coaches both at USC and the rugby community at large and hope I have created an ongoing love for the game among the students who have participated in our program.”
Vice Chairman: Jeff Smolka
A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Jeff Smolka is a member of the 84’-88’ Carolina Rugby team, serving as a captain, player, and coach. Smolka represented South Carolina as a Palmetto Collegiate All-State from 85'-88' and as a Collegiate All-South from 87'-88'. While completing his Master's program from 88'-90', Smolka began playing for the Columbia Olde Grey men's side while serving on the South Carolina coaching staff.
During the late 90's and early 2000's, Smolka returned to coaching following four years playing with the Greenville Griffins and served as South Carolina's assistant coach and head coach multiple times during several transitional phases for the program. In 2001, Smolka joined the Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive Leadership Committee to expand the Team's involvement with the annual event. That same year, Smolka began working regionally with USA Rugby South as the South Collegiate Director (01'-07') and as the South Vice President (02'-07') while also joining the National Office as a Member of the Board of Directors (02'-06'), a member of the Congress (06'-08'), and as the Chairman of USA Rugby's Rugby Committee in 2007, a position he currently holds to this day.
In 2007, Smolka founded the South Carolina High School Rugby League and served as its Commissioner the first three seasons. In 2011, Smolka was appointed to the position of Events Chair for the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference, a position he currently holds to this day. Elected to the Carolina Rugby Foundation Board in February of 2014, Smolka has already made waves by establishing the Carolina Men's Rugby Endowment Fund to ensure long-term sustainable growth for the Carolina Rugby program.
Following his early involvement with the Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive, Smolka has since received recognition for his 12 years of service and leadership with the campaign.
During the late 90's and early 2000's, Smolka returned to coaching following four years playing with the Greenville Griffins and served as South Carolina's assistant coach and head coach multiple times during several transitional phases for the program. In 2001, Smolka joined the Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive Leadership Committee to expand the Team's involvement with the annual event. That same year, Smolka began working regionally with USA Rugby South as the South Collegiate Director (01'-07') and as the South Vice President (02'-07') while also joining the National Office as a Member of the Board of Directors (02'-06'), a member of the Congress (06'-08'), and as the Chairman of USA Rugby's Rugby Committee in 2007, a position he currently holds to this day.
In 2007, Smolka founded the South Carolina High School Rugby League and served as its Commissioner the first three seasons. In 2011, Smolka was appointed to the position of Events Chair for the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference, a position he currently holds to this day. Elected to the Carolina Rugby Foundation Board in February of 2014, Smolka has already made waves by establishing the Carolina Men's Rugby Endowment Fund to ensure long-term sustainable growth for the Carolina Rugby program.
Following his early involvement with the Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive, Smolka has since received recognition for his 12 years of service and leadership with the campaign.
Treasurer: Alan Stewart
Al Stewart received degrees from Virginia Tech and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 1985 and 1992, respectively. Since 2012 he has worked as a lead structural engineer for The Boeing Company in Charleston, SC developing the aft section of the 787-10 commercial airplane for FAA certification and providing support for the 787-8 and -9 models. Prior to arriving in Charleston, he spent the previous 27 years as a structural engineer working on the Apache, MD Explorer, Little Bird and Chinook helicopters in Arizona and England.
While in England, Stewart jumped on the rugby bandwagon when his son, Micah, began playing tag rugby at age seven. He attended numerous school matches around the south of England for the next eight years, a professional match between the London Irish and Leicester Tigers, and eventually enjoyed a tour of Twickenham Stadium, home of the England national rugby union team. At the time he left England in 2012, Stewart had morphed from a rugby neophyte to a respectful parent who knew enough to cheer when the team was excited and when to be quiet when he didn’t understand a referee’s call.
Over the years, Stewart has coached children’s baseball, basketball and soccer as well as 6th grade girl’s basketball and 7th grade girl’s volleyball. He has served in the local church as a youth volunteer, Sunday school teacher and small group leader and in Bible Study Fellowship as a discussion group leader and a member of the administrative team. Just prior to leaving for England, he also served a year in the community HOA. He has been married to Diana for 24 years and has three children – McKenna, a recent graduate of USC, Micah, a junior Gamecock and Maleah, a high school senior.
While in England, Stewart jumped on the rugby bandwagon when his son, Micah, began playing tag rugby at age seven. He attended numerous school matches around the south of England for the next eight years, a professional match between the London Irish and Leicester Tigers, and eventually enjoyed a tour of Twickenham Stadium, home of the England national rugby union team. At the time he left England in 2012, Stewart had morphed from a rugby neophyte to a respectful parent who knew enough to cheer when the team was excited and when to be quiet when he didn’t understand a referee’s call.
Over the years, Stewart has coached children’s baseball, basketball and soccer as well as 6th grade girl’s basketball and 7th grade girl’s volleyball. He has served in the local church as a youth volunteer, Sunday school teacher and small group leader and in Bible Study Fellowship as a discussion group leader and a member of the administrative team. Just prior to leaving for England, he also served a year in the community HOA. He has been married to Diana for 24 years and has three children – McKenna, a recent graduate of USC, Micah, a junior Gamecock and Maleah, a high school senior.
Secretary: Robert Balmer
Robert Balmer started rugby at the Citadel Military Academy in 1986, though transferred to the University of South Carolina a year later for the remainder of his undergrad. Balmer played 8 Man all three years at South Carolina, even serving as the Team captain from 88-89. Following his years at USC, Balmer continued playing off and on as his scheduled permitted with Columbia Olde Grey as recently as 2013.
Balmer currently works as a Financial Professional at Creative Financial Strategies. He has 21 years experience in financial services and insurance. Balmer has been married to his wife Penny for 19 years and has one son, Joshua age 14, and one daughter, Kathleen age 10, who are both homeschooled by Penny. They reside in Columbia, SC.
Balmer currently works as a Financial Professional at Creative Financial Strategies. He has 21 years experience in financial services and insurance. Balmer has been married to his wife Penny for 19 years and has one son, Joshua age 14, and one daughter, Kathleen age 10, who are both homeschooled by Penny. They reside in Columbia, SC.
Sergeant at Arms: Daniel Callahan
Danny Callahan is an Army ROTC graduate of Furman University class of 1984 and served active duty as a Field Artillery Officer from 1984 -1988. He currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for the Tiger Woods Foundation. Since 2007 his sales and marketing team overseas all national revenue responsibilities for Tiger Wood’s PGA TOUR tournaments; the Quicken Loans National at Congressional Country Club, the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston, and the Hero World Challenge, Albany Bahamas. Additional revenue responsibilities include: the Tiger Woods Invitational at Pebble Beach, Tiger Jam in Las Vegas, and the Tiger Woods Charity playoffs.
Prior to the Tiger Woods Foundation, Callahan served as the Director of Hospitality for the Washington Redskins; hired by Dan Snyder the owner in 2000 to build the stadiums first VIP hospitality tailgate business.
Prior to working for the Washington Redskins, Callahan owned night clubs and restaurants in the Washington DC area; his final business was sold in 2000. He has been married 25 years with three teen-aged children, Bridget, at UNCW, Daniel, a Junior Gamecock Rugby scrum half, and Keilah.
Prior to the Tiger Woods Foundation, Callahan served as the Director of Hospitality for the Washington Redskins; hired by Dan Snyder the owner in 2000 to build the stadiums first VIP hospitality tailgate business.
Prior to working for the Washington Redskins, Callahan owned night clubs and restaurants in the Washington DC area; his final business was sold in 2000. He has been married 25 years with three teen-aged children, Bridget, at UNCW, Daniel, a Junior Gamecock Rugby scrum half, and Keilah.
Communications: Philip Rockefeller
Philip Rockefeller... More to come!
Events: TBA
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