College Premier Division
Encyclopedia
College Premier Division (CPD) is the highest level of collegiate rugby within the United States of America. It is administered by USA Rugby
and modeled after NCAA athletic competitions with the schools broken up into four conferences, the Rugby East, Mid-South, Western, and Pacific. The regular season sees all teams in the conference play one another, with the two top seeds qualifying for the playoffs. Playoffs are then contested in a single-elimination format, with the winner of the CPD declared the National Champion.
The competition's first season was played during 2011 and consisted of men's rugby
teams from 31 colleges and universities from across the United States. The first ever match of the CPD was played on Friday March 4, the Arizona State Sun Devils hosted the Colorado Buffaloes
at the Arizona State University Soccer Stadium in Tempe, Arizona
. The 2011 final was played at Rio Tinto Stadium, in Sandy, UT
, on the 21 May 2011.
officers
organized a game of rugby against the students of McGill University
(Montreal
, Canada
) in 1865; the Canadians were so enamored of the game that they decided to continue to play football by the Rugby code. In 1874 McGill organized two games of football against Harvard
University
, one was played under Harvard’s rules the other being a game of rugby. After this game, the Harvard students also decided to adopt rugby, making them the first American institution to do so. Columbia University
, Princeton
University
and Yale University
, were persuaded by Harvard to play football according to the Rugby School
code in 1876, these four colleges thus formed the Intercollegiate Football Association (IFA), an organization that eventually expanded to become the “Ivy League
”. In fact, the governing body of all American intercollegiate varsity sports, the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) traces its roots to the IFA and is thus a product of rugby rather than any of the sports it now governs.
By 1886 the Yale coach Walter Camp
had modified rugby's rules in order to solve the problem of tackled players lying on the ball by introducing a series of four downs to gain ten yards; ironically in the same year the Rugby Football Union
in England
solved the same problem by requiring that tackled players release the ball. This is still one of the most fundamental differences between Rugby Union and American Football but one further modification, that of allowing one forward pass per down, was suggested by the University of Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne
which, when accepted in 1905, gave rise to that distinctly American form of football.
Around the turn of the century American football was being frowned upon for its violence. Publication of graphic photographs of a harsh game between Swarthmore College
and the University of Pennsylvania
caused a stir; President Theodore Roosevelt was forced to insist upon reform or abolishment of the game. During this period of uncertainty, rugby made a brief but important reappearance in many colleges, most notably at the University
of California and at Stanford University
. It was these two Universities that supplied most of the players to the two US Olympic rugby teams (1920
& 1924
) who claimed fame by winning both Gold medals (as 1924 was the last time the Olympic Games staged a rugby competition, this will make the USA the defending Olympic Champions when rugby is re-introduced, after almost a century in 2016
).
In 1934, there was only one official rugby body in the United States, the Eastern Rugby Union, with a total of 9 member teams. By 1950, there were 30 clubs in the US, existing only in small pockets on the East and West Coasts. It was not until the mid 1960's that rugby began to re¬appear with regular fixtures and competitions; the game suited the mildly anarchistic temperament of American College students of the period; it required minimal costs for the individual, the style of the game provided constant action, there was an emphasis on enjoyment rather than winning because rugby was not part of the now rigidly institutionalized athletic system that American Universities had developed. The formation of the United States of America Rugby Football Union (USARFU, now USA Rugby
) in 1976 was a major organizational milestone for the sport in the USA, and by 1980 there were over 1000 clubs nationwide.
In 2011, there were 2433 clubs in the United States with more than 88,000 registered players, approximately 40% of which are college players (about three-quarters being male and one quarter female).
Magazine started demonstrating an interest in Collegiate rugby. During the 1965-1966 season, the University of Notre Dame won several cups and tournaments and, in the absence of a bona-fine national Championship, Sports Illustrated named them unofficial Collegiate Rugby Champions. The next year, under the authotrity of USARFU, Notre Dame played a match on April 8, 1967 against California at Memorial Stadium
for the unofficial national championship, again as a result of both teams being highly rated by Sports Illustrated; Cal won 37-3.
The first official National Collegiate Championship series began in 1980. Rugby in the United States is divided into territorial unions (the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest
, Northeast
, Pacific Coast, the South
, Southern California
and the West
), each of these unions organise collegiate rugby into "Division One" and "Division Two" league competitions, generally with promotion and relegation between the divisions. Between 1980 and 2010 each Territory qualified Division One and Two teams for the Sweet 16 of a D1 and D2 National championship.
California was dominant in Division One for the 31 years that the competition was run in this format, winning 26 titles. The Air Force Academy
took three titles while San Diego State University
and Brigham Young University
have won one Division One National Championship each.
x-Conference champion
y-Qualified for playoffs
USA Rugby
USA Rugby is the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in the United States. It is divided into seven territorial Unions: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, Pacific Coast, Southern California, South, and West...
and modeled after NCAA athletic competitions with the schools broken up into four conferences, the Rugby East, Mid-South, Western, and Pacific. The regular season sees all teams in the conference play one another, with the two top seeds qualifying for the playoffs. Playoffs are then contested in a single-elimination format, with the winner of the CPD declared the National Champion.
The competition's first season was played during 2011 and consisted of men's rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
teams from 31 colleges and universities from across the United States. The first ever match of the CPD was played on Friday March 4, the Arizona State Sun Devils hosted the Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado Buffaloes
The University of Colorado Boulder sponsors 16 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's team are called the Buffaloes or Golden Buffaloes . "Lady Buffs" referred to the women's teams beginning in the 1970s, but was officially dropped in 1993...
at the Arizona State University Soccer Stadium in Tempe, Arizona
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
. The 2011 final was played at Rio Tinto Stadium, in Sandy, UT
Sandy, Utah
Sandy is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is a suburb of Salt Lake City. The population was 87,461 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth-largest city in Utah....
, on the 21 May 2011.
Collegiate Rugby History in the United States
A group of British ArmyBritish Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
officers
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
organized a game of rugby against the students of McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
(Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
) in 1865; the Canadians were so enamored of the game that they decided to continue to play football by the Rugby code. In 1874 McGill organized two games of football against Harvard
Harvard rugby
The Harvard Rugby Football Club is a collegiate rugby team at Harvard College. Founded in 1872, the HRFC is the oldest Rugby Club in the United States. It competes in the Ivy League. With around 50 members, Harvard Rugby is one of the largest club teams at Harvard...
University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, one was played under Harvard’s rules the other being a game of rugby. After this game, the Harvard students also decided to adopt rugby, making them the first American institution to do so. Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, Princeton
Princeton Rugby
The Princeton University Rugby Football Club comprises the rugby union club of Princeton University. The school competes in the Ivy League in Division I of USA Rugby's intercollegiate competition.-Men's team:...
University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
and Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, were persuaded by Harvard to play football according to the Rugby School
Rugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
code in 1876, these four colleges thus formed the Intercollegiate Football Association (IFA), an organization that eventually expanded to become the “Ivy League
Ivy League
The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group...
”. In fact, the governing body of all American intercollegiate varsity sports, the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) traces its roots to the IFA and is thus a product of rugby rather than any of the sports it now governs.
By 1886 the Yale coach Walter Camp
Walter Camp
Walter Chauncey Camp was an American football player, coach, and sports writer known as the "Father of American Football". With John Heisman, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Pop Warner, Fielding H. Yost, and George Halas, Camp was one of the most accomplished persons in the early history of American football...
had modified rugby's rules in order to solve the problem of tackled players lying on the ball by introducing a series of four downs to gain ten yards; ironically in the same year the Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
solved the same problem by requiring that tackled players release the ball. This is still one of the most fundamental differences between Rugby Union and American Football but one further modification, that of allowing one forward pass per down, was suggested by the University of Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne
Knute Rockne
Knute Kenneth Rockne was an American football player and coach. He is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history...
which, when accepted in 1905, gave rise to that distinctly American form of football.
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college in the United States with an enrollment of about 1,500 students. The college is located in the borough of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia....
and the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
caused a stir; President Theodore Roosevelt was forced to insist upon reform or abolishment of the game. During this period of uncertainty, rugby made a brief but important reappearance in many colleges, most notably at the University
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
of California and at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
. It was these two Universities that supplied most of the players to the two US Olympic rugby teams (1920
Rugby union at the 1920 Summer Olympics
Rugby union was played at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. Two nations entered the rugby event - France and the United States. The French team were very much thought to be assured of the gold medal and came in as raging favourites in the event. However, the United States team caused a massive...
& 1924
Rugby union at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Rugby union was played at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. Three teams entered – France, Romania and the United States. The United States was returning to defend their gold medal after they defeated the French at the 1920 Summer Olympics. Each country played two games...
) who claimed fame by winning both Gold medals (as 1924 was the last time the Olympic Games staged a rugby competition, this will make the USA the defending Olympic Champions when rugby is re-introduced, after almost a century in 2016
2016 Summer Olympics
The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, are a major international multi-sport event to be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games, as governed by the International Olympic Committee...
).
In 1934, there was only one official rugby body in the United States, the Eastern Rugby Union, with a total of 9 member teams. By 1950, there were 30 clubs in the US, existing only in small pockets on the East and West Coasts. It was not until the mid 1960's that rugby began to re¬appear with regular fixtures and competitions; the game suited the mildly anarchistic temperament of American College students of the period; it required minimal costs for the individual, the style of the game provided constant action, there was an emphasis on enjoyment rather than winning because rugby was not part of the now rigidly institutionalized athletic system that American Universities had developed. The formation of the United States of America Rugby Football Union (USARFU, now USA Rugby
USA Rugby
USA Rugby is the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in the United States. It is divided into seven territorial Unions: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, Pacific Coast, Southern California, South, and West...
) in 1976 was a major organizational milestone for the sport in the USA, and by 1980 there were over 1000 clubs nationwide.
In 2011, there were 2433 clubs in the United States with more than 88,000 registered players, approximately 40% of which are college players (about three-quarters being male and one quarter female).
Previous Collegiate National Titles
The earliest claims to a national title go back to the mid-1960s when Sports IllustratedSports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
Magazine started demonstrating an interest in Collegiate rugby. During the 1965-1966 season, the University of Notre Dame won several cups and tournaments and, in the absence of a bona-fine national Championship, Sports Illustrated named them unofficial Collegiate Rugby Champions. The next year, under the authotrity of USARFU, Notre Dame played a match on April 8, 1967 against California at Memorial Stadium
California Memorial Stadium
California Memorial Stadium is an outdoor football stadium on the campus of the University of California in Berkeley. Commonly known as Memorial Stadium, it is the home field for the University of California Golden Bears of the Pacific-12 Conference...
for the unofficial national championship, again as a result of both teams being highly rated by Sports Illustrated; Cal won 37-3.
The first official National Collegiate Championship series began in 1980. Rugby in the United States is divided into territorial unions (the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest
Midwest Rugby Football Union
The Midwest Rugby Football Union is the Territorial Union for rugby union teams playing in the Midwestern United States. It is one of seven TUs that govern specific regions of USA Rugby...
, Northeast
Northeast Rugby Union
The Northeast Rugby Union is the Territorial Area Union for rugby union teams playing in the Northeastern United States . It is one of seven TAU's that govern specific regions of USA Rugby.-LAU's:...
, Pacific Coast, the South
USA Rugby South
The USA Rugby South is the Territorial Union for rugby union teams playing in the Southern United States. It is one of seven TU's that govern specific regions of USA Rugby.-LAU's:...
, Southern California
Southern California Rugby Football Union
The Southern California Rugby Football Union , is the governing body of rugby in Southern California, and represents the union of clubs at the USA Rugby level...
and the West
Western Rugby Football Union
The Western Rugby Football Union is the Territorial Area Union for rugby union teams playing in the Western United States. It is one of seven TAU's that govern specific regions of USA Rugby. It was established in 1975 and is a Founding Member of USA Rugby.-Local Area Unions :The WRFU is...
), each of these unions organise collegiate rugby into "Division One" and "Division Two" league competitions, generally with promotion and relegation between the divisions. Between 1980 and 2010 each Territory qualified Division One and Two teams for the Sweet 16 of a D1 and D2 National championship.
California was dominant in Division One for the 31 years that the competition was run in this format, winning 26 titles. The Air Force Academy
Air force academy
An air force academy or air academy is a national institution that provides initial officer training, possibly including undergraduate level education, to air force officer cadets who air preparting to be commissioned officers in a national air force...
took three titles while San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
and Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
have won one Division One National Championship each.
| YEAR | LOCATION | CHAMPION | SCORE | RUNNER-UP | 3rd PLACE | 4th PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Davenport, IA | California | 15-9 | Air Force Academy Air force academy An air force academy or air academy is a national institution that provides initial officer training, possibly including undergraduate level education, to air force officer cadets who air preparting to be commissioned officers in a national air force... |
Illinois | Navy United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States... |
| 1981 | Dayton, OH | California | 6-3 OT | Harvard University Harvard University Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country... |
Miami (OH) | Kansas St. |
| 1982 | Greeley, CO | California | 15-14 | Life College Life University Life University is located in Marietta, Georgia. It is best known for its doctorate degree program in chiropractic, but it also offers a number of undergraduate programs.- History :... |
Michigan | New Mexico St. |
| 1983 | Athens, GA | California | 13-3 | Air Force | Navy | Illinois |
| 1984 | Pebble Beach, CA | California | 12-4 | Colorado | Long Beach St. | Miami (OH) |
| 1985 | Pebble Beach, CA | California | 31-6 | Maryland | Colorado | Illinois |
| 1986 | Pebble Beach, CA | California | 6-4 | Dartmouth | Air Force | Bowling Green |
| 1987 | Pebble Beach, CA | San Diego State San Diego State University San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system... |
10-9 | Air Force | Bowling Green | Dartmouth |
| 1988 | Pebble Beach, CA | California | 9-3 | Dartmouth | Air Force | Bowling Green |
| 1989 | Colorado Springs, CO | Air Force | 25-7 | Long Beach St. | Army | Penn State |
| 1990 | Pebble Beach, CA | Air Force | 18-12 | Army | Ohio State | Long Beach St. |
| 1991 | Houston, TX | California | 20-14 | Army | Ohio State | Wyoming |
| 1992 | Colorado Springs, CO | California | 27-17 | Army | Air Force | Penn State |
| 1993 | Houston, TX | California | 36-6 | Air Force | Harvard | Wisconsin |
| 1994 | Washington, DC | California | 27-13 | Navy | Air Force | Penn State |
| 1995 | Berkeley, CA | California | 48-16 | Air Force | Penn State | Army |
| 1996 | Colorado Springs, CO | California | 47-6 | Penn State | Stanford | Navy |
| 1997 | Berkeley, CA | California | 41-15 | Penn State | UC Davis | Stanford |
| 1998 | San Francisco, CA | California | 34-15 | Stanford | Navy | Indiana Univ. |
| 1999 | San Francisco, CA | California | 36-5 | Penn State | Navy | Army |
| 2000 | Tampa Bay, FL | California | 62-16 | Wyoming | Army | Indiana Univ. |
| 2001 | Virginia Beach, VA | California | 86-11 | Penn State | Navy | Army |
| 2002 | Virginia Beach, VA | California | 43-22 | Utah | Army | Wyoming |
| 2003 | Stanford, CA | Air Force | 45-37 | Harvard | California | Army |
| 2004 | Stanford, CA | California | 46-24 | Cal Poly, SLO | Navy / Air Force | |
| 2005 | Stanford, CA | California | 44-7 | Utah | BYU / Navy | |
| 2006 | Stanford, CA | California | 29-26 | BYU | Utah / Penn State | |
| 2007 | Stanford, CA | California | 37-7 | BYU | Navy / Penn State | |
| 2008 | Stanford, CA | California | 59-7 | BYU | St. Mary's / Colorado | |
| 2009 | Stanford, CA | BYU | 25-22 | California | Army / San Diego State | |
| 2010 | Stanford, CA | California | 19-7 | BYU | Arkansas State / Army | |
Formation of the College Premier Division
There was always some difficulty in determining how many teams each Territory would send to the Sweet 16 tournament as the relative strengths of the rugby being played in each territory fluctuated over time and, despite the great disparity in the levels of rugby it was politically difficult to deny a union any bids although the team that came third or fourth in a more powerful territory might easily be a better side. Further problems occurred because of the disparity in the competitive season across the continent; in the East the league season is played in the fall while in the South and West spring is the primary season, so this structure was frequently open to criticism. Because of this and, in order to raise the level of rugby in the consciousness of the American public, USA Rugby restructured Collegiate rugby in the US to incorporate the College Premier Division.Participants
Rugby East
| Rugby East Conference | ||||||
| School/University | Coach | City | Stadium | Capacity | Founded | Joined CPD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army Army Rugby Football Club The Army Rugby Football Club was founded in 1961 and for over 40 years has been a leader in USA Collegiate Rugby. The Army Ruggers are West Point’s most winning team.... |
Richard Pohlidal | West Point, NY New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...  |
Anderson Rugby Complex, Warrior Field | 1,000 | 1961 | 2011 |
| Dartmouth | Alexander Magleby | Hanover Hanover, New Hampshire Hanover is a town along the Connecticut River in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 11,260 at the 2010 census. CNN and Money magazine rated Hanover the sixth best place to live in America in 2011, and the second best in 2007.... , NH New Hampshire New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...  |
Corey Ford Rugby Clubhouse | ??? | 1951 | 2011 |
| Delaware | Bjorn Haglid | Newark Newark, Delaware Newark is an American city in New Castle County, Delaware, west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware.- History :... , DE Delaware Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...  |
Frazier Field | ??? | 1972 | 2011 |
| Kutztown | Dr. Gregg Jones | Kutztown, PA Pennsylvania The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...  |
Luckenbill Avenue Rugby Pitch | ??? | 1984 | 2011 |
| Navy Navy Midshipmen The United States Naval Academy sponsors 30 varsity-sports teams and 12 club-sports teams . Both men's and women's teams are called Navy Midshipmen or "Mids"... |
Mike Flanagan Mike Flanagan Mike Flanagan may refer to:* Mike Flanagan , American football center* Mike Flanagan , former pitcher and television broadcaster... |
Annapolis, MD Maryland Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...  |
Ernie Blake II, Brigade Sports Complex | ??? | 1943 | 2011 |
| Ohio State | Tom Rooney Tom Rooney Tom Rooney was an American racecar driver. He made three AAA Championship Car race starts between 1912 and 1916, including the 1916 Indianapolis 500. He also raced production cars and was a factory superintendent for ReVere... |
Columbus Columbus, Ohio Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city... , OH Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...  |
Fred Beekman Park | ??? | 1966 | 2011 |
| Penn State | Don Ferrell | State College, PA Pennsylvania The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to... |
PSU West Campus Pitch | ??? | 1962 | 2011 |
| Rutgers Rutgers Scarlet Knights The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are the athletic teams that represent Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey... |
Piscataway, NJ New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...  |
Scarlet Knight Sport Club Field | ??? | 1965 | 2011 |
Mid-South
| Mid South Conference | ||||||
| School/University | Coach | City | Stadium | Capacity | Founded | Joined CPD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State Arkansas State Red Wolves The Arkansas State University Red Wolves is the name given to Arkansas State University's athletic teams. The university is affiliated with the Sun Belt Conference in sports and maintains NCAA Division I status.-History:... |
Matt Huckaby | Jonesboro Jonesboro, Arkansas Jonesboro is a city in and one of the two county seats of Craighead County, Arkansas, United States. According to the 2010 US Census, the population of the city was 67,263. A college town, Jonesboro is the largest city in northeastern Arkansas and the fifth most populous city in the state... , AR Arkansas Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...  |
??? ??? 日本橋 may refer to:*Nihonbashi, a business district of Chūō, Tokyo, Japan, surrounding a famous bridge of the same name*Nipponbashi, a shopping district of Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Japan... |
??? | 1991 | 2011 |
| Life | James Isaacson James Isaacson James Isaacson is a former rugby union player who at club level represented Newcastle Falcons and Leeds Carnegie . His usual position is at prop. He was educated at Durham School and Northumbria University.... |
Marietta Marietta, Georgia Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat.As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579, making it one of metro Atlanta's largest suburbs... , GA Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...  |
??? ??? 日本橋 may refer to:*Nihonbashi, a business district of Chūō, Tokyo, Japan, surrounding a famous bridge of the same name*Nipponbashi, a shopping district of Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Japan... |
??? | ??? | 2011 |
| Notre Dame Notre Dame Rugby Football Club The is the official rugby football club at the University of Notre Dame. It is the oldest collegiate rugby club in the Midwest and currently plays in the Collegiate Premier Division, the highest level of college rugby in the US.-Founding and Early Years:... |
Sean O'Leary Seán O'Leary Seán A. O'Leary was an Irish accountant, barrister and Fine Gael politician and Senator.O'Leary served as Lord Mayor of Cork for the 1972–73 term. In 1981, he was nominated by the Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald as a member of the 15th Seanad. He was a political activist one of the group known... |
Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana Notre Dame is a census-designated place north of South Bend in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States; it includes the campuses of three colleges: the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College, and Holy Cross College. Notre Dame is split between Clay and Portage Townships... , IN Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...  |
West Quad Fields | ??? | 1961 | 2011 |
| LSU Louisiana State University rugby -History:The LSU Rugby Football Club was born in the early 1970s by members of the LSU community interested in developing a club among the student population. Among the fathers of the club, history records Rob Haswell and Hal Rose as being the initiators of the program on campus... |
Scott McLean Scott McLean Scott James McLean is a Scottish professional footballer.A striker, McLean began his career with St. Johnstone in 1995. He remained at McDiarmid Park for just a year, making six league appearances. In 1996 he joined Inverness Caledonian Thistle. In three years with the Highland club he made 48... |
Baton Rouge, LA Louisiana Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...  |
??? ??? 日本橋 may refer to:*Nihonbashi, a business district of Chūō, Tokyo, Japan, surrounding a famous bridge of the same name*Nipponbashi, a shopping district of Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Japan... |
??? | 1967 | 2011 |
| Oklahoma Oklahoma Sooners The University of Oklahoma features 19 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's teams are called the Sooners, a nickname given to the early participants in the land rushes which initially opened the Oklahoma Indian Territory to non-native settlement. They participate in the NCAA's Division I-A,... |
Kenneth Forehand | Norman Norman, Oklahoma Norman is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is located south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, Norman was to have 110,925 full-time residents, making it the third-largest city in Oklahoma and the... , OK Oklahoma Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...  |
Tarzan Pitch | ??? | 1974 | 2011 |
| Tennessee Tennessee Volunteers The Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Volunteers are the National Collegiate Athletic Association college sports teams at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mike Hamilton is the most recent Men's Athletic Director, but resigned on June 7, 2011, and Joan Cronan is the current Women's... |
Butch Robertson | Knoxville, TN Tennessee Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...  |
Tennessee Rugby Park | ??? | 1970 | 2011 |
| Texas A&M Texas A&M Aggies Texas A&M Aggies refers to the students, graduates, and sports teams of Texas A&M University. The nickname "Aggie" is common at land-grant or "Ag" schools in many states. The teams compete in Division I of NCAA sports... |
Brett Mills | College Station, TX Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...  |
Aggie Rugby Pitch & Penberthy Complex | ??? | 1968 | 2011 |
Western
| Western Conference | ||||||
| School/University | Coach | City | Stadium | Capacity | Founded | Joined CPD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force Zoomie Rugby Football Club The Zoomie Rugby Football Club is made up of the men's and women's rugby union teams at the United States Air Force Academy. The team's name refers to the term "Zoomie", which is slang for a cadet or graduate of the Air Force Academy.-History:... |
Joe Muehlbauer | Colorado Springs, CO Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...  |
??? | 1968 | 2011 | |
| University of Arizona University of Arizona The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885... |
Dave Sitton | Tucson Tucson, Arizona Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200... , AZ Arizona Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...  |
Rincon Vista Sports Complex, Murphy Field at Mulcahy Stadium, Clements Field | 1,000 | 1969 | 2011 |
| Arizona State | Gary Lane Gary Lane Gary William Lane is a professional chess player and author. He became an International Master in 1987 and won the Commonwealth Chess Championship in 1988... |
Tempe Tempe, Arizona Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale... , AZ Arizona Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix... |
Arizona State ICA Soccer Stadium | 1,051 | 1975 | 2011 |
| Brigham Young | David Smyth | Provo Provo, Utah Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south... , UT Utah Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...  |
South Field | 2,140 | 1962 | 2011 |
| Colorado University of Colorado at Boulder The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado... |
Sean Edris | Boulder Boulder, Colorado Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of... , CO Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains... |
Kittredge Field | 2011 | ||
| Colorado State Colorado State University Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and... |
Blake Stevens | Fort Collins Fort Collins, Colorado Fort Collins is a Home Rule Municipality situated on the Cache La Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, and is the county seat and most populous city of Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Fort Collins is located north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. With a 2010 census... , CO Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains... |
2011 | |||
| Utah University of Utah The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest... |
Blake Burdette Blake Burdette Blake Burdette is an American rugby union hooker or prop. He is a member of the United States national rugby union team and participated with the squad at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.-References:... |
Salt Lake City Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197... , UT Utah Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the... |
2011 | |||
| Wyoming University of Wyoming The University of Wyoming is a land-grant university located in Laramie, Wyoming, situated on Wyoming's high Laramie Plains, at an elevation of 7,200 feet , between the Laramie and Snowy Range mountains. It is known as UW to people close to the university... |
Laramie Laramie, Wyoming Laramie is a city in and the county seat of Albany County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 30,816 at the . Located on the Laramie River in southeastern Wyoming, the city is west of Cheyenne, at the junction of Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 287.... , WY Wyoming Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...  |
2011 |
Pacific
| Pacific Conference | ||||||
| School/University | Coach | City | Stadium | Capacity | Founded | Joined CPD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Jack Clark | Berkeley Berkeley, California Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington... , CA California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... |
2011 | |||
| Cal Poly California Polytechnic State University California Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system.... |
San Luis Obispo, CA California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... |
2011 | ||||
| Central Washington | Ellensburg Ellensburg, Washington Ellensburg is a city in, and the county seat of, Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 18,174 at the 2010 census. The population was 18,250 at 2011 Estimate from Office of Financial Management. Ellensburg is located just east of the Cascade Range on I-90 and is known as the... , WA  |
2011 | ||||
| Claremont CMS Claremont McKenna College Claremont McKenna College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college and a member of the Claremont Colleges located in Claremont, California. The campus is located east of Downtown Los Angeles... |
Claremont Claremont, California Claremont is a small affluent college town in eastern Los Angeles County, California, United States, about east of downtown Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. The population as of the 2010 census is 34,926. Claremont is known for its seven higher-education institutions, its... , CA California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... |
2011 | ||||
| Saint Mary's | Moraga, CA California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... |
2011 | ||||
| San Diego State | San Diego, CA California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... |
2011 | ||||
| UC Davis | Davis Davis, California Davis is a city in Yolo County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area... , CA California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... |
2011 | ||||
| UCLA | Los Angeles Los Ángeles Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants... , CA California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...  |
2011 |
Former Teams
| Former Teams | |||
| School/University | Conference | Joined CPD | Final CPD Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont Claremont McKenna College Claremont McKenna College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college and a member of the Claremont Colleges located in Claremont, California. The campus is located east of Downtown Los Angeles... |
Pacific | 2011 | 2011 |
| Dartmouth | East | 2011 | 2011 |
| LSU Louisiana State University rugby -History:The LSU Rugby Football Club was born in the early 1970s by members of the LSU community interested in developing a club among the student population. Among the fathers of the club, history records Rob Haswell and Hal Rose as being the initiators of the program on campus... |
Mid-South | 2011 | 2011 |
| San Diego State | Pacific | 2011 | 2011 |
| Tennessee Tennessee Volunteers The Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Volunteers are the National Collegiate Athletic Association college sports teams at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mike Hamilton is the most recent Men's Athletic Director, but resigned on June 7, 2011, and Joan Cronan is the current Women's... |
Mid-South | 2011 | 2011 |
Notable events of the 2011 season
- First Season of the College Premier Division
- Funding for Cal Rugby, which previously was announced would be dropped, is restored after additional funding is raised by donors, alumni and fans.
- Life University participated in its first playoff game in school history
- BYU hosted its first rugby playoff game in club history.
- BYU and California will play for the Collegiate Title for the 6th consecutive year (2006-10 in USA Rugby Collegiate Tournament, 2011 USA Rugby College Premier Division)
Regular season
Records and final standings for 2011.| Pacific Conference | |||
| Rank | University/College | Conf. Record | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x-California | 7-0 | +344 |
| 2 | y-St. Mary's | 6-1 | +143 |
| 3 | Central Washington | 5-2 | +55 |
| 4 | San Diego State | 4-3 | -8 |
| 5 | Cal Poly | 3-4 | -66 |
| 6 | UCLA | 2-5 | -107 |
| 7 | UC-Davis | 2-5 | -169 |
| 8 | Claremont | 0-7 | -192 |
x-Conference champion
y-Qualified for playoffs
| Western Conference | |||
| Rank | University/College | Conf. Record | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x-Brigham Young | 7-0 | +376 |
| 2 | y-Utah | 6-1 | +176 |
| 3 | Arizona State | 5-2 | +49 |
| 4 | Arizona | 4-3 | 34 |
| 5 | Air Force | 3-4 | -9 |
| 6 | Colorado | 2-4 | -48 |
| 7 | Colorado State | 1-7 | -251 |
| 8 | Wyoming | 0-7 | -307 |
| Mid-South Conference | |||
| Rank | University/College | Conf. Record | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x-Arkansas State | 6-0 | +227 |
| 2 | y-Life | 5-1 | +243 |
| 3 | LSU | 3-3 | -56 |
| 4 | Texas A&M | 2-4 | -48 |
| 5 | Tennessee | 2-3 | -115 |
| 6 | Notre Dame | 2-3 | -85 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 0-6 | -166 |
| East Conference | |||
| Rank | University/College | Conf. Record | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x-Army | 7-0 | +158 |
| 2 | y-Navy | 6-1 | +103 |
| 3 | Penn State | 5-2 | -20 |
| 4 | Kutztown | 3-4 | +60 |
| 5 | Dartmouth | 3-4 | -9 |
| 6 | Deleware | 2-5 | -21 |
| 7 | Rutgers | 2-5 | -133 |
| 8 | Ohio State | 1-6 | -138 |
Playoffs and final
Final rankings
| Final 2011 RUGBYMag.com College Premier Rankings | |||
| Rank | University/College | CPD Record | Season Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 10-0 | 20-0 |
| 2 | BYU | 9-1 | 14-1 |
| 3 | Arkansas State | 8-1 | 8-1 |
| 4 | Life University | 5-2 | 10-2 |
| 5 | St. Mary's | 6-2 | 12-3 |
| 6 | Utah | 7-2 | 10-2 |
| 7 | Central Washington | 5-2 | 7-3 |
| 8 | Army | 7-1 | 7-1 |
| 9 | Navy | 6-2 | 6-3 |
| 10 | Arizona State | 5-2 | 6-3 |
| 11 | Penn State | 5-2 | 7-4 |
| 12 | Arizona | 4-3 | 10-4 |
| 13 | Air Force | 3-4 | 3-7 |
| 14 | Kutztown | 4-4 | 4-4 |
| 15 | San Diego State | 5-5 | 5-5 |
| 16 | Dartmouth | 3-4 | 10-4 |
| 17 | Delaware | 2-5 | 10-8 |
| 18 | Cal Poly | 3-4 | 6-5 |
| 19 | Notre Dame | 2-3 | 7-5 |
| 20 | LSU | 3-3 | 5-3 |
| 21 | Texas A&M | 2-4 | 2-4 |
| 22 | Tennessee | 2-3 | 8-5 |
| 23 | Ohio State | 1-6 | 2-7 |
| 24 | Rutgers | 2-5 | 2-6 |
| 25 | UCLA | 2-5 | 6-6 |
| 26 | Colorado | 2-4 | 3-5 |
| 27 | UC Davis | 2-5 | 4-10 |
| 28 | Colorado State | 1-7 | 1-9 |
| 29 | Claremont Colleges | 0-7 | 0-12 |
| 30 | Oklahoma | 0-6 | 1-6 |
| 31 | Wyoming | 0-7 | 2-9 |