Clemson Rugby Season Preview & Staff Additions

Press Release


September 12, 2013
Clemson, SC - The 2013-14 season brings many exciting changes for the Clemson University Rugby Program. Along with arrival of an extremely impressive recruiting class, Clemson has made some key additions to the coaching staff for the upcoming season.

Returning are Head Coach Justin Hickey and Assistant Coach Wright Henry, who, together, have compiled a 16-4 record in ACRL conference play over the last 3 seasons.

Dr. Rob Lawson rejoins the staff in a greater capacity this season. Dr. Lawson will oversee the team’s Strength & Conditioning program. Dr. Lawson also works with athletes on the Track & Field and Golf teams at Clemson, but has rugby roots dating back to his time spent studying and playing at Life University.

Take the jump to read more.

Nick Whitrow will enter his first season as Assistant Coach for the Tigers. Coach Whitrow comes to Clemson from Ormskirk, England by way of Tucson, Arizona. He will work primarily with the backs, and will bring a high level of knowledge from his days as a player where he was primarily a scrumhalf/flyhalf as well as his coaching experience, which he gained as part of the USA Rugby High School All American staff, where he aided Salty Thompson with video analysis for various domestic camps.

Mike Finney joins the backroom as a Graduate Assistant Coach this fall. Mike is a former Tennessee Volunteer, where he received his undergraduate degree, before pursuing a Master’s degree and now a PhD at Clemson. Mike will continue to train and play with the Clemson JV squad, while he transitions into a role, focusing on development of the Tigers’ freshman squad.

The program has also secured the services of a full time athletic trainer. Nadia Najm joins the rugby staff as a Graduate Assistant Athletic trainer. Nadia comes to Clemson, where she will study Nutrition, from Connecticut. Nadia’s addition to the staff provides a major step in the right direction in terms of high performance and athlete welfare.

The Tigers return a number of key players for the 2013-14 season, including Senior Max Simons, the 2013 team MVP. Simons, a tight head prop, will be looked to as an emotional leader, being one of the only seniors on a young and talented squad which includes 2013 ACRL Freshman of the Year, Ryan Gilroy. Gilroy will again provide direction from the scrumhalf position, launching a dangerous Tiger backline, including 3-year starter Nick Johnson, and senior Eddie Abreu. The team will also look for a breakout year, from returning sophomore Dylan Goulding who will slot into the centers. Prop Brett Weaver, along with 2012 ACRL Freshman of the Year, and hooker Dan Collins, will provide leadership in the forwards along with Simons and flanker Ryan Sullivan. Also look for sophomore flanker James Rogers to have another outstanding year.

With a very talented recruiting class entering, Clemson anticipates strong contributions and an immediate impact from a number of freshman. Dylan Bargar and Stuart Harr will look to provide depth in the forwards, at backrow and at lock, along with Josh Driscoll and Nic Query, who are two solid, young props. Flyhalf Aaron Keers and scrumhalf Jennings Stroud make up an exciting half back combination that could thrill Tiger fans for a number of years. Backs Colin Gregory, and Garion Wascher provide explosiveness to the midfield and on the wing. Beyond this group, a number of freshmen will push and compete for places on the roster, as well as provide deep coverage across 3 full squads.

Recent seasonality changes in American college rugby, have resulted in the ACRL 15s competition moving to the fall, effective immediately, thus the Tigers will dive right back into league play. Through the months of September, October and the first week of November, Clemson will compete in league play at which point they may have the option of participating in a newly formed East Coast Championship competition through November and into December, culminating with a final at Furman University on December 7. The ACRL will also hold a 7s championship and will send qualifying teams to the USA Rugby 7s National Championships which will be played in Greensboro, NC on November 23-24, which may also provide another post season opportunity for the team in the fall.

The Tigers will then turn their attention to the Varsity Cup Competition for the spring of 2014. Throughout the spring, Clemson will play a 15s schedule which includes matches against South Carolina, Navy, and Davenport University, as well as a 3 match tour in the Cayman Islands over spring break, in preparation for the first round of the Varsity Cup on April 12. The Varsity Cup

Championship will be played on May 3, and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports, immediately following the 2014 Kentucky Derby.

For more news and information, and to watch all the Clemson Rugby home matches live throughout the year, check in at clemsonrugby.com and also like the team on Facebook. If you’re unable to tune into the live broadcast or for away matches follow @clemsonrugby on twitter for live scoring updates.

Contact:
Justin Hickey
[email protected]
616-745-5335