University of Miami Rugby Football Club

UMRFC
Full name The University of Miami Rugby Football Club
Union [[USA Rugby South
Florida Rugby Football Union]]
Nickname(s) Hurricanes
Ground(s) University of Miami Intramural Fields[1]
Coach(es) Frank Williams
Captain(s) Nick Davis
Sandy Kugbei
League(s) USA Rugby South Collegiate Div. 2
Team kit

The University of Miami Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club in Miami, Florida. According to rankings in Rugby Magazine, Miami listed among the top twenty-five clubs in the United States for Division 2 as recently as November 16, 2010, before dropping out due to a loss to the eventual state champions. The Club was founded in 1989 under the supervision of still coach Franklyn Williams of the Miami Rugby Club for students of the University of Miami. The team existed prior to 1989 as an intramural sport at the University of Miami competing against local clubs from 1978 to 1994 and beyond. The University of Miami Rugby team competes in the USA Rugby South against clubs from Florida, as well as touring sides from other states and has had trips to the Bahamas as well as other island nations in the Caribbean.

The Hurricanes are made up of students of the University, and although players from other countries will occasionally play while studying abroad at the University, the team often relies heavily on talent from within the United States, many of whom did not compete in the sport of rugby prior to college. Despite this, the program regularly produces Collegiate Select Side players for the Florida Rugby Union and several players have been invited to the USA Rugby South selection camp. The players within the club come from all over the United States, some competing previously in other rugby unions. Several players have played for professional clubs on a part-time/full-time basis including San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Football Club and the Chicago Griffins. The team has recently competed in the Battleship Tournament, a national tournament, finishing second only to Louisiana State University.

Club Honors

2010 Schedule and Results

The 2010 squad was honored as the greatest team in the history at the University of Miami, surpassing the legendary 1995 Hurricane rugby team in scoring (33.0 points per game in the regular season), Defense (6.8 points per game allowed in regular season) and point differential (+26.2 points per game). The team was featured on WKRG-TV Channel 5's nightly news due to their high level of success.

Past Captains and Presidents

Year Captain (Chris Acceturo 2012-present) President
2011–2012Nick Davis(Forwards), Sandy Kugbei(Backs)Nick Davis
2010–2011Michael ScanlonNick Davis
2009–2010Michael ScanlonPatrick Scully
2008–2009Ryan Baebler, Tony LocrotondoPatrick Scully
2007–2008Dan RoeschJason "Brick" Bahner
2006–2007Dan RoeschDylan Ralston
2005–2006Andrew BeanDylan Ralston
2004–2005Edward "Luna" Kekoa Jr.Dylan Ralston

Notable Current and Former Players

  • United States Edward "Luna" Kekoa Jr. (#9 - Scrumhalf)

Quite possibly the best scrumhalf to ever don the number 9 at the U. Known for his long hair, fierce temperament, and incredible endurance, Luna was respected by all college and Men's clubs in Florida. Luna also made the "Days of the Week" song famous and no other blokes have ever sang the song quite like he did.

Former Captain and Former USA Rugby Florida Under-20 and Collegiate select side member. Founder of Lewis University Rugby and has played previously in rugby 7's for the Southside Irish Rugby Club in USA Rugby Division 1, 2009-2010. Has played for the CARFU Men's Select Side in 2011 and has played full-time for the Chicago Griffins in the Rugby Super League (United States) 2011-2012 for both 7s and 15's. Currently playing for the University of Queensland Rugby Club in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition.

  • United States Tony Locrotondo (rugby)

Former player and former member of Florida Under-20 Select Side, Florida Collegiate Select Side, and USA Rugby South Collegiate select side invitee. Won the USA rugby men's division 2 national championship with rocky gorge rugby in 2014[2]

  • United States Patrick Scully (rugby)

Former Player and former member of Florida Under-20 Select Side, Collegiate Select Side.

  • United States Tad DeBarros (rugby)

Former Player and former member of Florida Under-20 Select Side, Florida Collegiate Select Side. Plays part-time for the Old Gold Rugby Football Club

  • United States Nick Davis (rugby)

Current player/president/Forward's captain and member of Florida Under-20 Select Side.

  • Sierra Leone Sandy Kugbei (rugby)

Current Player and Back's captain and former member of Florida Under-20 Select Side, Florida Collegiate Select Side, and USA Rugby South Collegiate select side invitee.

  • Greece Vassilis Demitri Moutevelis (rugby)

Current Player and Selected Member of the Greece national rugby union team at the under-23 level (2010).

  • United States Ryan Baebler (rugby)

Former USA Rugby Under-19 National Team Member (2003). (Retired due to concussions)

  • United States Jason "Brick" Bahner (rugby)

Former President and Florida Collegiate Select-Side Player

  • South Africa Anton Luckhoff (rugby)

Former fly-half, still holds the top scorer.

  • United States Dylan Ralston. (#9 - Scrumhalf)

Trained behind aforementioned "Luna", and first playing as Hooker then moving to Scrumhalf. Known for his cunning play, he had a wicked dummy and could throw with either hand. Played for the Florida Collegiate Select Side as scrumhalf.

  • Australia Lachlan Bursle (rugby)

Former player and former #8 for Sydney University Football Club and semi-professional player and starting #8 for New South Wales Rugby Union Select Side. Would have played for the Australia national rugby union team but retired due to shoulder surgeries.

  • Australia Josh Dillon (rugby)

Former player and current Flyhalf for Sydney University Football Club and for New South Wales Rugby Union Select Side.

  • Many of the American players listed have also played in international matches against teams from England, Argentina, Canada, Ireland, while the Australian players have played worldwide and are considered to be at the semi-professional level.

Current Roster

Philanthropy

The University of Miami Rugby team is actively involved in the local community. Among their contributions are:

  • Volunteering at Sun Life Stadium during Hurricane Football Games
  • Working every year at a local Renaissance festival
  • Co-participating with the University of Miami Women's Rugby Team in Relay for Life

References

  1. ↑ https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=intramural+fields+university+of+miami&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
  2. ↑ http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-rucks/2014/06/usa-rugby-senior-club-national-championships-mens-games/
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