Rugby
Rugby is one of the fastest-growing club sports in America. The Men’s & Women’s Rugby Teams at Emory & Henry compete against other college club teams from around the region and in the Cardinal Athletic Conference.
Join Emory & Henry’s Rugby Team
In summer 2022, Emory & Henry is hosting middle and high school rugby camps. Learn more and Apply.
Emory & Henry College added non-NCAA competitive rugby to enhance the vibrant culture of the college community and to start a new tradition. Men’s and Women’s Rugby is register through National Collegiate Rugby. The teams travel and play at home against other institutions on a collegiate level.
The club at Emory & Henry is open to tryouts for any students interested.
*Important Note: Per NCAA rules, if you participate in an NCAA-athletic team you are not eligible for a Rugby Scholarship*
Men’s Rugby
Men’s Rugby began at Emory & Henry in 2012 as Club Sport program. It quickly grew into a popular sport on campus and transitioned to Affinity in 2016. The program has seen much success since that time and has seen many players receive high honors for their performance on the pitch.
The E&H Men’s Rugby program competes within the Cardinals Collegiate Rugby Conference as a part of the Challenger’s Division. In 2018, E&H finished 2nd in the conference and Head Coach Tom (Doc) O’Neill was named the 2018 Cardinal Collegiate Rugby Conference Coach of the Year.
The 2019-2020 season was largely cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The 2020-2021 Men’s team saw six members selected to the Conference All-Star Team despite not having played a full season due to COVID-19. Conference All-Star members selected were:
- Eli Hamilton
- David Doss
- Hunter Burkett
- Ethan Hughes
- Wes Clements
- Brandon Blair
The Conference Team finished sixth nationally at the National Collegiate Rugby Tournament in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The 2021-2022 Men’s team had it’s most succesful season in program history. Led by Coach O’Neill, the team finished the season undefeated with an 8-0 record and nationally ranked by National Collegiate Rugby. The team also won it’s first Conference Championship in Program history, beating The College of William & Mary in the Cardinal Collegiate Rugby Conference Tournament final, played at Emory & Henry College.
E&H Men’s Rugby
-
EHC Men's Rugby vs JMU -
EHC Men's Rugby vs JMU -
EHC Men's Rugby vs JMU -
EHC Men's Rugby vs JMU -
EHC Men's Rugby vs JMU -
EHC Men's Rugby vs JMU -
EHC Men's Rugby vs JMU -
EHC Men's Rugby vs JMU -
EHC Men's Rugby vs JMU -
EHC Men's Rugby vs JMU
2021-2022 Season Results:
- Sept. 11th vs. James Madison University- Won, 64-5
- Sept. 18th vs. College of William & Mary- Won (forfeit)
- Sept. 25th vs. Virginia Commonwealth University- Won, 49-14
- Oct. 2nd vs. Longwood- Won (forfeit) (E&H Nationally Ranked- #17)
- Oct. 14th vs. Roanoke College- Won, 75-14 (E&H Nationally Ranked- #14)
- Oct. 30th at Richmond University- Won 41-12 (E&H Nationally Ranked- #17)
-
Nov. 6th and 7th (Cardinal Collegiate Rugby Conference Tournament)
- Round 1 vs Roanoke College- Won, 58-0
- Round 2 vs. College of William & Mary- Won, 63-26
2021-2022 Cardinal College Rugby Conference, Challengers Division, Champions!!
- Nov. 20th and 21st (Regional Tournament at The Citadel, Charleston, SC)-
Women’s Rugby
In 2019, Emory & Henry formed its first women’s rugby team playing non-NCAA intercollegiate rugby in the South-Atlantic Rugby Conference. Their motto is “Never Give Up. Never Surrender.” The team has membership in National Collegiate Rugby and is a group of powerful women devoted to teamwork and dedication both on and off the field.
The 2020- 2021 team saw four members selected to the Conference All-Star Team. The Conference Team finished 1st overall and was awarded the National Championship at the National Collegiate Rugby Tournament in New Orleans, Louisiana. The members selected to the All-Star Team:
- Sarah Dutton
- Morgan Stone
- Brooklyn Yates
- Jazmyn Jackson
E&H Rugby Forward, Sarah Dutton, was awarded the distinction of a Scholastic All-American by National Collegiate Rugby for the 2020-2021 season.
2021-2022 Season Results:
Oct. 23rd Tri Tournament vs. Virginia Commonwealth University and UNC Greensboro-
Vs. VCU- Won, 29-5
Vs. UNCG- Won, 33-7
