Cal Poly Team Invited to Compete in Division I Rugby League in 2011

rugby team 2008 SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly has been invited to participate in the 2011 USA Rugby College Division I Premier Championship league.

Cal Poly is one of 32 teams from around the country that will compete in the new intercollegiate league, according to the invitation letter from USA Rugby. Other participating schools include Army, Navy, Air Force, Brigham Young University, Penn State and Dartmouth.

The teams will be grouped into four divisions of eight squads. Cal Poly will compete in the Pacific Division along with UC Berkeley, UCLA, Central Washington, Claremont, San Diego State, St. Mary’s College and UC Davis.

“Cal Poly’s history of success on the West Coast makes it a natural fit, and we are excited to have them in the league,” said Todd Bell, Collegiate director for USA Rugby.

"The College Premier League brings together many of the country’s top men’s rugby programs in what will be USA Rugby’s flagship intercollegiate competition. The league will give teams the opportunity to face high-level competition on a weekly basis and will raise the profile of our sport across the country.”

Division teams will play against one another in March and April for the right to move on to the playoffs in May. The 2011 championship game is scheduled for May 21. The top two teams in each division will take part in the playoffs.

“Our inclusion in the Division I league is a testament to the quality of the university, alumni, staff and student athletes that are participating in the academic and Rugby programs here at Cal Poly,” said Nick Massman, head coach of the Cal Poly Rugby team.

“This is a fantastic step forward for the game of rugby at the collegiate level, and the timing couldn’t be better. The Rugby World Cup is coming in September 2011 in New Zealand. Rugby 7’s has been included in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The athletes that will be competing in this league will gain valuable experience on the road to higher honors.”

For more on USA Rugby, visit www.usarugby.com.

Rugby is a club sport at Cal Poly, operating through the university’s Student Life and Leadership office. For more information on club sports, visit http://www.studentlife.calpoly.edu/clubsports/index.asp. For more on Cal Poly Rugby, visit www.calpolyrugby.com.

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