University of Michigan Rugby Football Club

Last updated
University of Michigan
Michigan Wolverines logo.svg
Full nameUniversity of Michigan Rugby Football Club
Union National Collegiate Rugby
Nickname(s)Wolverines
Founded1959;66 years ago (1959)
Location Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ground(s)Mitchell Field [1]
PresidentZachary Small
Coach(es)Christian Mentzer
Captain(s)Luke Zana
League(s) Big 10
Kit left arm.svg
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Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
1st kit
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2nd kit
Official website
www.mrugby.com

The University of Michigan Rugby Football Club (UMRFC) is a rugby union club at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The UMRFC currently plays in the Big Ten conference at the D1A level, the highest level of collegiate play under National Collegiate Rugby.

Contents

The Wolverines largely rely on talent drawn from within the United States; however, foreign students will often add valuable contributions while studying abroad in Ann Arbor. Many players join with little or no previous experience in rugby. Despite this, the UMRFC has won a number of championships and produced several athletes that have gone on to play rugby at a professional level.

According to their Player Handbook, UMRFC's mission is "to develop upstanding student athletes and men through the sport of Rugby. To play the game with inspiration, cultivate a close knit family within the club, and promote commitment, discipline, and respect on and off of the field." [2] Reinforcing these values, the Wolverine's work a variety of community service and charity events.

History

The team began as the Michigan Rugby Football Club, founded in 1959. The club was composed of U of M undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and alumni as well as Ann Arbor community members, maintaining this composition for 40 years. In January 2000, the University of Michigan Rugby Football Club was formed and restricted to current undergraduate (and in some cases, graduate) students at U of M.

Club honors

Results

Full results since 1959

See the current schedule at the team's official website.

  Big Ten Championship
  Conference
Fall 2024 Schedule/Results
DateOpponentResultLocation
8/23/24CincinnatiW 14-5Ann Arbor, MI
8/30/24Bowling GreenL 12-47Bowling Green, OH
9/6/24TrineW 69-20Ann Arbor, MI
9/20/24Notre DameL 19-31South Bend, IN
9/28/24WisconsinL 12-26Ann Arbor, MI
10/18/24Ohio StateColumbus, MI
10/25/24Michigan StateAnn Arbor, MI
11/2/24Big Ten SemisTBD
11/9/24Big Ten FinalsSouth Bend, IN

Past and current captains and presidents

SeasonCaptainAssistant Captain
Fall 2024Alex Olsen/Matt Daines/Shea Loughnane/Luke Zana
Winter 2024Tommy HendricksShea Loughnane/Armen Vartanian
Fall 2023Tommy HendricksShea Loughnane/Armen Vartanian
Winter 2023George Janke
Fall 2022Braden Loughnane/George Janke
Winter 2022Braden Loughnane/George Janke
Fall 2021Carter LyonNathan Feldman
Winter 2020Jack VecchioLuke Boll
Fall 2020Jack VecchioJordan Perez
2019–2020Tanner ViscoDavis Grimm
2018–2019Jamie DemersTanner Visco
2017–2018Justin MalinRon Marine
2016–2017Jeremy ReidZach Burns (Jr.)
2015–2016Zach Burns (Boo)Cole Van Harn
2014–2015Joel ConzelmannSequoyah Burke-Combs
2013–2014Kenny AndutanChris Padmos
2012–2013Michael LacivitaGrady Bridges
2011–2012James WilberMatthew Crabtree
2010–2011Charles BerklichJames Wilber
2009–2010Charles BerklichJames Wilber
2008–2009Aaron DoddMax Mikulec
2007–2008Aaron DoddJake Leederkerken
2006–2007Karl SeibertNick Harris/Dan Kuriluk
2005–2006Matt TrenaryJosh Rubin
2004–2005Andrew FinnWes Farrow
2003–2004Craig Williams
2002–2003Andrew MarcusCraig Williams
2001–2002Mike LivanosAndrew Marcus
2000–2001Mike LivanosAndrew Marcus
1999–2000Ryan Gaylor
1998–1999Scott Salamango
1997–1998Scott Salamango
1996–1997Scott Salamango
1995–1996Mike Springs
YearPresidentVice President
2025Zachary SmallRiley Gauthier
2024Ryan GroverLuke Zana
2023James WillcoxTimothy Zamarro
2022Thomas HendricksLuke Boll
2021George JankeBraden Loughnane
2020Jacob BodnerNick Campbell
2019Mahmoud El-NaggarJacob Bodner
2018Lyric KleberJamie Demers
2017Nate FisherJustin Malin
2016Matt KastenTravis Sawyer
2015Chening DukerJackson Wagner
2014Jared BosmaJohn Palladino
2013Ian EtheartCJ Stock
2012Ian EtheartKarl Boothman
2011Andrew SwainMichael Lacivita
2010Oluwatobi EbodaAndrew Swain
2009Niall O'KaneMatthew Crabtree
2008Jake LeederkerkenKevin Owens
2007Eddie SchehrEvan Barclay
2006Evan Barclay
2005Brent BarnaMatt Russell
2004Aaron AragonaJosh Rubin
2003Kurt Sarsfield
2002Kevin BarlowWes Farrow
2001Mike CavnarWes Farrow
2000Aaron BennettMike Cavnar
1999Aaron BennettRyan Gaylor
1998Aaron BennettMichael Olzevski
1997Mike SpringsAaron Bennett
1996Mike Springs
1995Mike Springs

Notable alumni

See also

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References

  1. "Mitchell Field". Mitchell Field.
  2. "Current UMRFC Player Handbook". Google Docs.