The University of South Carolina rugby club was founded in 1967. We have a proud history that includes championships, unmatched camaraderie, and spirited competition. Over the course of more than five decades we have accomplished much. 

 

In 2021, The Carolina Rugby Foundation worked with the University of South Carolina to on-board the club's first full-time paid coach. We are the only coach in the Southeastern Rugby Conference to have a full-time coach who is an employee of the university. Since that time, the team and foundation have moved from strength to strength.

 

Here are just a few of our accomplishments over the past year.

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• Raised more than $170,000 from 165 donors to support the Carolina Rugby Endowment.

• Expanded the Jeffrey S. Smolka and John S. Roberts Endowed Rugby Fund through a $25,000 gift from Jeff Smolka.

• Published the Foundation’s first annual report.

• Provided scholarship assistance to 15 current players through the Smolka Scholarship program.

• Hosted alumni outreach events in Charleston and Washington, D.C.

• Executed in-person recruiting trips to New Jersey, and New York.

• Raised more than $12,000 though our Rent-a-Rugger program that puts our players to work in the local community to raise funds team expenses.

• Raised nearly $80,000 last November during the weeks proceeding our “With You Weekend”.

• Raised $36,000 during Give4Garnet, the university’s annual giving day.

• Received commitments from 15 high school rugby recruits who will join the team in August.

• Captured the program’s second 7s conference championship and advanced to nationals where the team competed in National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Tournament’s Premiere Division.

• Captured the “Palmetto Cup” last fall by defeating Clemson in a 15’s match.

• Finished runner up in SCR 15s and finished the fall campaign ranked 7 by NCR among Division IAA programs.

• Had one team member, rising senior Grant Howard, named to the NCR All-American team.

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We hope to inspire others to join us in our mission to nurture student leaders, bolster our national profile, instill a culture of philanthropy, and connect all who have worn the garnet and black.