01/06/2017, 1:00pm ESTBy MTB

2 qualifying events and a championship tournament

The Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference has released details on the 2017 Olympic Rugby Championship.

In 2017 the championship will again feature 2 qualifying events and an 8 team championship.  

March 25, 2017
SCRC Qualifying Tournament
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Pay Entry Fee by March 24 to Reserve Your Spot>>

April 01, 2017
SCRC Qualifying Tournament
Columbia, South Carolina
Pay Entry Fee by March 17 to Reserve Your Spot>>

April 08, 2017
SCRC Championship Tournament
Knoxville, Tennessee

Additionally, each venue will be offering teams the opportunity to bring developmental 15s sides to play other conference teams on an adjacent field.

12/14/2016, 10:15am ESTBy MTB

For the first time, the best of the conference get a chance to play together

The Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference will put a playing all-star team on the field for the first time in the history of the conference.  

A selection camp will take place on February 18 in Atlanta where the team will be selected to compete in the 2017 St. Patrick’s Day Tournament in Savannah, Georgia on March 11/12 in the premier division.

Selection Camp Process
All 1st Team, 2nd Team and Honorable Mention All-Conference selections will be eligible and encouraged to attend the selection camp on February 18. Additionally, a current SCRC coach may recommend a player for the camp and the all-star coaching staff will extend invitations to players in the conference.

24 players will be selected at the camp after an evaluation session and scrimmage against Old White.   

Schedule

Selection Camp
February 18
Atlanta Old White Rugby Facility
1035 Fairburn Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30331

 9:00 to 9:30       Player enrollment
 9:30 to 10:10     Player skill analysis
10:10 to 10:20    Break
10:20 to 11:00    Units
11:00 to 11:10    Break
11:10 to 12:00    Team 
12:00 to 1:00       Lunch
1:00 to 2:00         Pattern of Play
2:00 to TBD         Scrimmage

2017 St. Patrick’s Day Tournament
March 11/12
Savannah, GA

Coach Staff

Gary Anderson, Kentucky
Marty Bradley, Tennessee
Ken Simmons, Florida

12/05/2016, 11:30am ESTBy MTB

Coach of the Year is Kentucky’s Anderson

Alabama’s senior center and captain Ross Depperschmidt has been named 2016 SCRC Player of the Year as voted by coaches/delegates of conference teams. Depperschmidt was selected over other very worthy finalists Obum Imonugo of  Georgia (prop) and Max Dodds of Ole Miss (flyhalf).

Kentucky’s Gary Anderson was selected as the 2016 SCRC Coach of the Year after leading his team to their first ever SCRC playoff appearance.  

2016 Player of the Year

Ross Depperschmidt (Alabama)
Ross Depperschmidt led his team to a 5-1 regular season record and a dramatic come from behind win in the SCRC Semifinal.  In the 2016 SCRC Championship game, Ross capped off an impressive collegiate career by scoring a try and setting up the other that proved to be decisive in a win over Tennessee.

2016 Coach of Year

Gary Anderson (Kentucky)
Gary Anderson let the Kentucky Wildcats to a 5-1 conference record and their first ever appearance in the SCRC playoffs.  Under Anderson’s management influence, in a few short years, the Wildcats have gone from a struggling team to a roster of over 50 talented rugby players.  Under his leadership, Kentucky has installed a program structure and recruiting program that is the envy of conference rivals.

11/21/2016, 2:15pm ESTBy MTB

Possibly the most talented assembly of players in the history of SCRC

The Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference has selected the 2016 All-Conference team.  Each team was tasked with nominating players from their team plus also identifying players of their opponent during the regular season. Players were selected to First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention.  Some positions were consolidated into categories for the purposes of listing the most deserving candidates.

Alabama and Tennessee led the way with 7 players each named as all-conference. Kentucky followed with 6 and South Carolina with 5.  Florida and Georgia each placed 4 on the list.  Mississippi State and Ole Miss had 3 each.  Vanderbilt and Auburn added two each to bring the total of recognized players to 43. 

SCRC Most Valuable Player and 15s Coach of the Year will be announced on November 28.  

Within the next two weeks full details of the SCRC All-star program will be announced.  This will be the first time for the top players in the SCRC to assemble and play as a team.

First Team

Second Team

Honorable Mention

11/14/2016, 3:30pm ESTBy MTB

Crimson Tide win with a late goal line stand

Alabama and Tennessee squared off on Saturday for the 2016 Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference Championship at Lupo Family Field at Life University in Marietta, Georgia.  

A game filled with tough defense and untimely miscues from both teams resulted in a low scoring affair that came down to the final moments. Alabama was able to turn back the Volunteers twice in the closing moments to earn their first 15’s conference title.  

The Crimson Tide advanced to the final with a 5-1 regular season record and a thrilling come from behind victory over Kentucky 34-33 in the conference semifinals.  The Volunteers advanced with a 6-0 record and a 41-26 victory over Florida in the other semifinal.

Alabama Line Up

1. Tyler  Pollock / TJ Patterson
2. Pat Feimer
3. Shawn Dawley
4. Bobby Collins
5. Jackson Moss / Ian McDonald
6. Heath Ross
7. Connor Ray
8. Christian Abbatiello
9. James Puente
10. Jgnacio Guisasola
11. Andres Kallas / Brett Walsh
12. Ross Depperschmidt (c)
13. Taylor Carpenter
14. Caleb Strum
15. Tyler Hsin

Scoring Summary

13:00 Try Tennessee (Rivas)  
   UA 0-5 UT
19:00 Yellow Tennessee (Kayser) 
26:00 Yellow Tennessee (Landon)
33:00 Try Alabama (Strum)
   UA 5-5 UT
33:00 CK  Alabama (Guisasola)
   UA 7-5 UT
46:00 Yellow Alabama (Abbatiello)
49:00 Try Alabama (Depperschmidt)
   UA 12-5 UT
59:00 PK Tennessee (Schwartz)
   UA 12-8 UT 

Halftime: Alabama 7, Tennessee 5
Full Time:  Alabama 12, Tennessee 8

Referee: Randall Johnson
Asst Referee: Rosenhammer
Asst Referee: Reimsnider

Tennessee Line Up

1. Keenan Kayser
2. Charlie Holman
3. Jordan Campbell / Creighton Couch
4. Kerry Roberts
5. Nesto Rivas / Duncan Bintrim
6. Hayden Ryan
7. Dylan Craven
8. Josh Landon
9. Travis Vickers
10. Nick Duklewski (c)
11. David Nuckolls / Michael Turner
12. William Holland
13. Ben Schwartz / Justin Ransom
14. Sam Hawkins
15. Cormac Barry

05/11/2016, 11:00am EDTBy MTB

Darnell named Coach of the Year / Keown named Player of the Year

The Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference has selected its Olympic Rugby All Conference team for 2106.  High Performance Director Mark Morris oversaw the selection process in which each conference coach had the opportunity to nominate and cast a ballot for players and coach of the year.

The final 1st and 2nd teams including 20 players from 9 different conference teams including 4 Gamecocks, 3 Volunteers and 3 Crimson Tide players. The fact that there are nine teams represented confirms that the level of play continues to improve and parity within the league is a growing reality. 

7’s Coach of the Year
Steve Darnell, South Carolina 

In his 3rd year coaching the South Carolina 7’s side, Darnell has established one of the premier sevens programs in the Southeast. Last spring, the Gamecocks finished with a 21-3 record, building upon their appearance at the Penn Mutual CRC‰’s in 2014 and their Shield Championship at the USA Rugby Nationals in 2013. With three SCRC 7‰’s series titles, South Carolina advanced to the Top-25 in all three national polls, aided by victories over 5 previous CRC participants. This season, the Gamecocks struck again, winning the first SCRC 7’s series event before claiming their first conference title. This summer, the Gamecocks will once again return to the Penn Mutual CRC‰’s and the USA Rugby 7’s Nationals. 

7’s Player of the Year
Brian Keown, South Carolina

A senior scrum half from Newton Square, PA, Keown is a Carolina Rugby Scholarship recipient majoring in Biological Science. In high school, Keown was 4 year varsity starter at St Joseph’s Prep, winning the PA State Championship, competing with the Eastern Pennsylvania All-Stars, and receiving Team Captain and MVP honors. While playing for South Carolina, Keown is a 3-time All-Conference 15’s Team recipient and a 2-time All-Conference 7’s Team recipient. 

1st Team

Kyle Bumette,  Florida
Thomas Coar,  South Carolina
Ross Depperschmidt,  Alabama
Ethan Fromm,  Georgia
Tim Hamill,  South Carolna
Brian Keown, South Carolina
Chris Leatherwood,  Tennessee
Matt Schick,  Alabama
Jordan Speight,  Mississippi State
Dylan Taunton,  Auburn

2nd Team

Caleb Canter,  Kentucky
Dana Cocoran,  South Carolina
Max Dodd,  Ole Miss
Jake Lackovic,  Ole Miss
Nick Mangella,  Auburn
Derrick Mitchell,  Mississippi State
James Puente,  Alabama
Porter Ramsey,  Kentucky
Andrew Sayers,  Tennessee
Travis Vickers,  Tennessee

Player of the Year

2016 SCRC Olympic Rugby Player of the Year

Brian Keown,  South Carolina

Coach of the Year

2016 SCRC Olympic Rugby Coach of the Year

Steve Darnell,  South Carolina

04/05/2016, 8:45am EDTBy MTB

Wildcats upend Alabama in final 32-19

The University of Kentucky won the 2nd SCRC Olympic Rugby Tournament on Saturday, April 09 in Knoxville, Tennessee at the Tennessee Rugby Park. The Wildcats used a good combination of power, possession and pace to outlast the Crimson Tide in the final. 

Pools

Pool A
South Carolina (1) 2-0
Georgia (7) 1-1
Tennessee II 0-2

Pool B
Alabama (2) 2-0
Florida (8) 0-1-1
South Carolina II 0-1-1

Pool C
Mississippi State (3) 2-0
Ole Miss (6) 1-1
Middle Tennessee St 0-2

Pool D
Auburn (4) 1-1
Tennessee (5) 1-1
Kentucky 1-1

Final Standings

1. Kentucky (15)
2. Alabama (14)
3. Tennessee (13)
4. Mississippi State (12)
5. Georgia (11)
6. Ole Miss (10)
7. South Carolina (8.5)
8. Florida (8.5)
9. Auburn (7)

Competition Rules

The teams are divided into pools based on Tuscaloosa finish with some adjustments so that teams aren’t in pools similar to the prior tournament. If a team had multiple entries in Tuscaloosa, only the highest finishing team counted towards rankings.

Teams play a round-robin within the pool. Points are awarded in each pool —3 for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 for a loss, 0 for a no-show. In case teams are tied after pool play, the tiebreakers are:

1. Head-to-head result between the tied teams.
2. Difference in points scored and allowed.
3. Difference in tries scored and allowed.
4. Points scored during pool play.
5. Coin toss.

Tournament Roster – Submit to tournament officials prior to your first match

Schedule

04/02/2016, 9:30am EDTBy MTB

Host Alabama finishes second

South Carolina claimed the first of two qualifying tournaments for the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference on Saturday with a decisive 33-0 victory over Alabama in the final.  

Rankings going into the second tournament in Knoxville – 
1. South Carolina
2. Alabama
3. Mississippi State
4. Auburn
5. Tennessee
6. Ole Miss
6. Georgia
8. Florida

Pools

Pool A
Alabama 2-0
Ole Miss 1-1
UAB 0-2

Pool B
Mississippi State 2-0
Auburn 1-1
Georgia II 0-2

Pool C
South Carolina 2-0
Florida 0-2
Tennessee II 1-1

Pool D
Tennessee 0-1-1
Georgia 0-1-1
South Carolina II 2-0

Tournament Roster

Competiton Rules

The teams are divided into pools based on 2015 finish, who play a round-robin within the pool. Points are awarded in each pool —3 for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 for a loss, 0 for a no-show. In case teams are tied after pool play, the tiebreakers are:

1. Head-to-head result between the tied teams.
2. Difference in points scored and allowed.
3. Difference in tries scored and allowed.
4. Points scored during pool play.
5. Coin toss.

Preliminary Round Schedule

9:00    A1 – Alabama 19   A2 – Ole Miss 05
9:20    B1 – Miss State 24   B2 – Auburn 14
9:40    C1 – South Carolina 38    C2 – Florida 0
10:00    D1 – Tennessee 12   D2 – Georgia 12
10:20    A2 – Ole Miss 24   A3 – UAB 12
10:40    B2 – Auburn 33   B3 – Georiga II 0
11:00    C2 – Florida 7   C3 – Tennessee II 27
11:20    D2 – Georgia 10   D3  – USC II 26
11:40    A1 – Alabama 33   A3 – UAB 5
12:00    B1 – Miss State 45   B3 – Georiga II 0
12:20    C1 – South Carolina 33   C3 – Tennessee II 0
12:40    D1 – Tennessee 0   D3  – USC II 19

Playoff Round Schedule

1    1:00    Consolation 1    UAB 0, Tennessee 33
2    1:20    Consolation 2    Georgia II 5, Florida 26
3    1:40    Quarterfinal    Alabama 41, Georgia 0
4    2:00    Quarterfinal    Miss State 12, Tennessee II 0
5    2:20    Quarterfinal    South Carolina 26, Auburn 7
6    2:40    Quarterfinal    South Carolina 19, Ole Miss 12
7    3:00    Consolation Final    Tennessee 38, Florida 0
8    3:20    Bowl Semifinal    Tennessee II 29, Georgia 7
9    3:40    Bowl Semifinal    Auburn 33, Ole Miss 19
10   4:00    Cup Semifinal   Alabama 24, South Carolina II 7
11   4:20    Cup Semifinal   South Carolina 33, Miss State 7
12   5:00    Bowl Final    Auburn 24, Tennessee II 5
13   5:30    Cup Consolation   USC II 19, MSU 15
14   6:00    Cup Final    South Carolina 33, Alabama 0

04/12/2016, 8:45am EDTBy MTB

Gamecocks claim 2016 Title

South Carolina scored early in the second half and then again at the death to break a 7-7 halftime knot and claim the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference Olympic Rugby Championship on Saturday, April 16 in Columbia, South Carolina.  

8 teams competed in the championship based on results of 2 qualifying events – one in Tuscaloosa on April 2 and the other on April 09 in Knoxville. 2016 was by far the most competitive sevens season in conference history with many teams advancing their game to championship level.

Teams now await post season assignments with South Carolina securing the bid to the USA Rugby National Championship Tournament held the last weekend in May. It is anticipated that other SCRC teams will also receive invitations.  Since USC has already secured a spot in the 2016 CRC, the automatic birth for the conference will fall to the finalist – Tennessee.

Pools

A
1. 3-0 Alabama (28)
4. 2-1 South Carolina (23.5)
5. 1-2 Georgia (20.5)
8. 0-3 Florida (16.5)

B
2. 2-1 Mississippi State (25) 
3. 2-1 Tennessee (24)
6. 1-2 Mississippi (19.5)
7. 1-2 Auburn (19)

Pool Play

09:00    Alabama 42, Florida 0    
09:20    South Carolina 26, Georgia 0    
09:40    Mississippi State 22, Auburn 17    
10:00    Tennessee 17, Mississippi 14    
10:20    Alabama 19, South Carolina 12   
10:40    Georgia 28,  Florida 19    
11:00    Mississippi State 20, Tennessee 19    
11:20    Mississippi 14, Auburn 19    
11:40    Alabama 19, Georgia 7    
12:00    South Carolina 38, Florida 12    
12:20    Mississippi State 7, Mississippi 19    
12:40    Tennessee 21, Auburn 14

Playoffs

Bowl Semifinal            
2:00 Georgia  26, Ole Miss 17
2:20 Florida v Auburn               
                
Cup Semifinal            
2:40 Alabama 10, Tennessee 22
3:00 South Carolina  31, Mississippi State 7
                
Shield Championship / 7th            
4:00  Ole Miss v Florida
                
Bowl Championship / 5th            
4:20 Georgia 22, Auburn 17
                
Plate Championship / 3rd 
4:40 Alabama 22, Mississippi State 10               
                
Cup Championship / Final            
5:00  South Carolina  21, Tennessee 7

Final Rankings
1. South Carolina
2. Tennessee
3. Alabama
4. Mississippi State
5. Georgia
6. Auburn
7. Ole Miss
8. Florida

Qualifying Process

Teams earned points based on participation and results of the Sevens Series events. 15 pts awarded to the highest finishing SCRC team, 14 to the second highest finishing team, etc. The best finishes from the two events will be used to determine the point total for the teams. Any tie in points will be broken through evaluation of the finishes. The top eight (8) teams shall advance to the SCRC Championship Tournament on April 16.

Rank Determination
1. Total points from two tournaments
2. Single highest finish
3. Head to head record during the three events
4. Point differential of the head to head contests

Team must be compliant with USA Collegiate Eligibility Regulations and must forward eligibility documentation prior to the event. The conference must have a completed collegiate eligibility player form on file that has a spring semester date. Errors or omissions on this document could jeopardize eligibility of the entire team.  Prior to the first match of the day, a 15 man roster must be submitted with accompanying photo ID to verify each participant.

Championship Tournament

Teams are divided into two pools of four teams, who play a round-robin within the pool. Points are awarded in each pool on a different schedule from most rugby tournaments—3 for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 for a loss, 0 for a no-show. In case teams are tied after pool play, the tiebreakers are:

1.   Head-to-head result between the tied teams.

2.   Difference in points scored and allowed during pool play.

3.   Difference in tries scored and allowed during pool play.

4.   Points scored during pool play.

5.   Coin toss.

Championship Points

April 02
Open Qualifying Tournament
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Hosted by the University of Alabama
15 South Carolina
14 Alabama
13 Mississippi State
12 Auburn
11 Tennessee
9.5 Georgia
9.5 Ole Miss
8 Florida 

April 09
Open Qualifying Tournament
Knoxville, Tennessee
Hosted by the University of Tennessee
15 Kentucky
14 Alabama
13 Tennessee
12 Mississippi State
11 Georgia
10 Mississippi
8.5 South Carolina
8.5 Florida
07 Auburn

12/09/2015, 3:30pm ESTBy MTB

Venue selection will take place in January

The Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference if now accepting bids to host the three Olympic Rugby Tournaments that will be held in April.  Bids must be received by January 08.

April 02  Qualifying Tournament
April 09  Qualifying Tournament
April 16  SCRC Championship 

Return your completed bid form to Competitions Chair Gary Anderson at gary.anderson@keystoneky.com.