The University of Mary Washington men came into last season ranked 12th in D1AA, but with an expectation of potential; by the end of the season, they were D1AA national champions.

Returning players and newcomers are hard at work this offseason to do it again, and it won't be easy. Even getting out of the Chesapeake Conference will be tough, as there are no easy matches.

Resources Help The Reload

Mary Washington’s Rugby Club has existed since 1977 when there were no men on campus. Director of rugby Tim Brown believes the key to the program’s recent success is the collection of resources in their program and region. 

“We brought in an experienced head coach in Min Chae that knows rugby and knows this region,” said Brown. “Combine high-level coaching with recruiting, fundraising, partnerships, and dedicated fans and parents.” 

Mary Washington has consistently recruited domestic and international rugby players, added Brown, “but it all starts with the commitment of our players. If you don’t have good kids that come back in shape, you don’t have the success we have.” 

Fitness Frenzy In Fredericksburg

The team has a summer fitness series the players subscribe to — including baseline scoring with the Bronco Test. The highest Bronco score was posted by an incoming freshman, Joseph Ritter, who is currently training at the Crusaders Academy in New Zealand.

When the players get to campus they are challenged by their strength and conditioning coach Tyler Stephens. 

“It is a tough first week of pre-season training,” said sophomore fullback Bradlee Nichols. 

Nichols and several other current players are back on campus early for voluntary summer conditioning. Returning players are bettering their fitness not only for the season but for potential opportunities after college.

Professional Pipeline

The announcement of a professional rugby team in the D.C. area was a crucial moment for Tim Brown as head of recruiting for Mary Washington.

“I’ve been telling these players for years there would be a professional outlet coming,” said Brown. “Now we’ve got MLR Execs Paul Sheehy and Chris Dunleavy from the DC team coming to campus looking to employ our players.” 

Mary Washington has several players with MLR potential; two of them will have a chance to play in front of MLR scouts this August.

Key Players With MLR-potential

Scrumhalf Harry Masters and No. 8 Matthew Gordon were invited to the 2018 Collegiate All-American Selection Camp. The duo and will compete alongside 100 of the best college players in front of All-American and MLR selectors. Both players made the FloRugby AA team last year.

South African Scorers

Michael Sacks (left) is a 6-4 230lb flyhalf and already has the size to play MLR. 

“He is the field general,” said Brown. “There is no player like him anywhere, much less in college rugby.”

His brother, Jordan Sacks (above right), is a big-body wing for Mary Washington. Jordan scored two tries against Dartmouth to advance the team to the national championship.

Nichols scored 21 tries for Mary Washington including one in the national championship. Nichols played high school rugby in South Africa with the Sacks brothers. 

“My goal is to play professional rugby in the States,” said Nichols. “I have to keep playing well and hope D.C. and the MLR notice.”

No Starting Spots Guaranteed

Mary Washington has national champion-level players, but each year incoming freshman compete for starting roles. 

“Coach Min [Chae] always says ‘no one is guaranteed a spot’,” said Nichols. “If you’re not working hard and you think you’ve got it...you’re in trouble.”

Tim Brown recruits domestic and international players with rugby experience. Forty-three of the 45 players on the Mary Washington squad have played rugby before college. 

“We bring in players that are ready to contribute the moment they step on campus,” said Brown.

This year’s recruiting class is no different:

Tamilore Awonusi is a 6-5, 210 lbs wing from Dublin and played for Connacht Academy.

Adam Warner is coming from the London Irish Academy where he played center and prop.

Aiden Gallagher is a center and flyhalf from the Chapel Hill Highlanders and EIRA.

Seamus Brennan is a center from the Chapel Hill Highlanders and Atlantis 7's

Joseph Ritter earned the top Bronco score this summer spent the summer at the Crusaders Academy in New Zealand.

Along with several other incoming freshmen.

Mary Washington Rugby has all the resources to remain atop D1AA rugby. There are national champions across the roster looking to make the next step to MLR, but look too far ahead and a freshman might steal a starting spot.