Jeff Smolka (center) with the first group of recipients of the endowed scholarship named in his honor. The photo was taken in 2016.
The Jeffery S. Smolka Endowed Scholarship Program
Founded in 2016 through a generous gift from Jeffrey S. Smolka, the Smolka Rugby Scholarship Endowment has provided substantial financial support to more than 40 Gamecock rugby players. Since it was founded, financial aid extended through the program has exceeded $500,000.
Currently (February 2022) four Gamecocks benefit from the Smolka Scholarship, which extends in-state tuition cost to out-of-state students. Recipients of the scholarship must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. Candidates are nominated by the head coach and reviewed by a scholarship committee that includes Smolka and former longtime rugby coach Mark Morris.
Current Smolka Scholarship recipients are:
John Golden (Huntington New York)
Dan Golden (Huntington, New York)
John Minella (Palisades, New York)
Grant Howard (Rye, New York)
While the scholarship does extend $250 grants to in-state students, the program can provide an immense net tuition costs savings to out-of-state rugby players who have exhibited a commitment to the South Carolina Men’s Rugby program.
Currently (February 2022) four Gamecocks benefit from the Smolka Scholarship, which extends in-state tuition cost to out-of-state students. Recipients of the scholarship must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. Candidates are nominated by the head coach and reviewed by a scholarship committee that includes Smolka and former longtime rugby coach Mark Morris.
Current Smolka Scholarship recipients are:
John Golden (Huntington New York)
Dan Golden (Huntington, New York)
John Minella (Palisades, New York)
Grant Howard (Rye, New York)
While the scholarship does extend $250 grants to in-state students, the program can provide an immense net tuition costs savings to out-of-state rugby players who have exhibited a commitment to the South Carolina Men’s Rugby program.
All recipients
2015/16 Dana Cocoran
2015/17 Tim Hamill
2015/18 Brian Keon
2015/19 Jared Magil
2015/20 Mike Mahon
2015/21 Zach Mullineaux
2015/22 Jack Corr
2015/23 Tim Hamill
2015/24 Mike Mahon
2015/25 Zach Mullineaux
2015/26 Jacob Powers
2015/27 Rowan Prown
2015/28 Jack Vallen
2015/29 Jack Vallen
2015/30 Nick Skalka
2015/31 Matt Notarangelo
2015/32 John Cechi
2015/33 Matthew Hayden
2015/34 Corey Matthews
2015/35 Christian Harrell
2015/36 Jack Vallen
2015/37 Nick Skalka
2015/38 Danny Callahan
2015/39 Colin Boutin
2015/40 Corey Matthews
2015/41 Micah Stewart
2015/42 Aidian Reed
2015/43 Aiden Gallaher
2015/44 Corey Matthews
2015/45 Max Draddy
2015/46 Vince Pace
2015/47 Jack Honig
2019/20 Ciaran O-Rielly
2019/20 Deklin Reed
2020/21 Aidian Reed
2020/21 Aiden Gallaher
2020/21 Corey Matthews
2020/21 John Manella
2020/21 Vince Pace
2020/21 Max Draddy
2021/22 John Manella
2021/22 John Golden
2021/22 Dan Golden
2021/22 Grant Howard
2015/17 Tim Hamill
2015/18 Brian Keon
2015/19 Jared Magil
2015/20 Mike Mahon
2015/21 Zach Mullineaux
2015/22 Jack Corr
2015/23 Tim Hamill
2015/24 Mike Mahon
2015/25 Zach Mullineaux
2015/26 Jacob Powers
2015/27 Rowan Prown
2015/28 Jack Vallen
2015/29 Jack Vallen
2015/30 Nick Skalka
2015/31 Matt Notarangelo
2015/32 John Cechi
2015/33 Matthew Hayden
2015/34 Corey Matthews
2015/35 Christian Harrell
2015/36 Jack Vallen
2015/37 Nick Skalka
2015/38 Danny Callahan
2015/39 Colin Boutin
2015/40 Corey Matthews
2015/41 Micah Stewart
2015/42 Aidian Reed
2015/43 Aiden Gallaher
2015/44 Corey Matthews
2015/45 Max Draddy
2015/46 Vince Pace
2015/47 Jack Honig
2019/20 Ciaran O-Rielly
2019/20 Deklin Reed
2020/21 Aidian Reed
2020/21 Aiden Gallaher
2020/21 Corey Matthews
2020/21 John Manella
2020/21 Vince Pace
2020/21 Max Draddy
2021/22 John Manella
2021/22 John Golden
2021/22 Dan Golden
2021/22 Grant Howard