After learning about rugby online, Phil Harris bought his first rugby ball and started a team at his rural North Carolina high school. A political science major, he went on to play for Charlotte Rugby Club and Catawba College before transferring to the University of South Carolina.

He played for Carolina Rugby during the 2006 season and graduated in 2008. Even with his playing days behind him Phil remains a dedicated fan and “rugby evangelist”. He hosts two rugby shows; The Jack's Rangers Show that covers content related to the New England Free Jacks of Major League Rugby and The Ruckin' Roosters Show which covers content related to Carolina Rugby. 

Bill Rhoden played as a forward, mainly second row, for the University of South Carolina Rugby Club from 1988 until graduating in 1991.

Upon graduating Bill enlisted in the US Army. After serving two years on active duty Bill entered the US Army Reserve serving 27 years until retiring as a commissioned officer in 2020. During his service in the Army Reserve, Bill mobilized in support of Operation Joint Guard, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Bill currently works as a Realty Specialist for the Department of the Army and is accountable for all Army Reserve sites and centers located in the nine southeastern states and Puerto Rico. He resides in Lexington, SC with his wife Angela (USC, 1991).​

​Chris Murphy played for USC Rugby from 1987-1991. He was President, Captain and player/coach during his tenure and was successful in establishing a close relationship with the university. Chris was named to the SC Select squad from ’88-91 and represented USC on the All South team on two separate occasions.

​Since graduating from USC in 1991, he has established a successful career in helping build several high growth global software companies. Chris is married and has 3 children. He lives outside of Atlanta and also spends as much time as possible in Folly Beach, SC.

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Tom Darlington is a Penn State alumnus and has been involved in rugby since his high school days. He is the father of sophomore Tommy Darlington and previously served on the board of directors for Conestoga Rugby, the oldest high school rugby club in the U.S., founded in 1971. At Conestoga, he managed finances, helped launch the team store, assisted with gameday operations, and played a key role in Senior Day activities. Tom was also instrumental in community outreach, attracting sponsors and spearheading a fundraising initiative that supported a team tour to Wales, UK.

Tom is an account manager at Amazon. He and his wife, Cathy, live Devon, PA and have two children, Tommy and Brooklyn.

A 1990 graduate of the University of South Carolina, John Roberts is one of South Carolina’s most noted and accomplished rugby alumni. Roberts, who served as president of the USC rugby club in 1989-90, founded the Furman University rugby team in 1998 and developed it into one of the nation’s top small college rugby programs.

A seasoned communicator with more than 25 years’ experience in higher education marketing, Roberts served as Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communication at Piedmont University. Before that, he served as communications director at Furman University.

John and his wife, Brandi, spend time between Columbia and Lake Hartwell and have four living children: Zach Roberts, Maggie Dixon, Julianna Roberts and Max Timmons.

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Shelby Rosen is a sophomore at USC, majoring in Sports Management. She is a member of the Chi Omega sorority, where she serves on the philanthropy team. Shelby is also on the fundraising staff for Dance Marathon, a student-led organization benefiting children’s hospitals. Shelby has a passion for giving back and helping others.

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After graduation, she hopes to work with non-profits or foundations linked to professional sports. She is from Bedminster, NJ.

Robert Balmer started rugby at the Citadel Military Academy in 1986, though transferred to the University of South Carolina a year later for the remainder of his undergrad. Balmer played rugby for three years at USC and was team captain 1988-89. Following his years at USC, Balmer continued playing off and on as his scheduled permitted with Columbia Olde Grey as recently as 2023. 
 
Balmer is a Financial Professional with Cetera Wealth Partners.  He has 25 years of experience in financial services and insurance and is past chairman of the Carolina Rugby Foundation. Balmer has been married to his wife Penny for 27 years. They have two children, Joshua and Kathleen.

Wyatt Shepherd grew up in the South Carolina low country, graduating from Beaufort High in 1989 where he played football, soccer and ran cross-country for the Eagles. 

He attended USC from 1989 to 1993, graduating from the Business School.  He joined the USC Rugby family in 1990 as a fullback and center, making the SC Collegiate Select Side, and served as Treasurer.  He continued his rugby career playing for Columbia Olde Grey, Triad Dawgs of Greensboro, NC, and Carolina Olde Boys 7s, the latter solidifying lifelong friendships started at USC. 

​Wyatt now resides in Naples, Florida  with his wife Mary and five children where he has worked as a Hearing Care Practitioner for Beltone Hearing Care Centers for 16 years.  

​Grant Howard began playing rugby at Rye High School in New York and continued his career at the University of South Carolina. From 2020–2024, he played 8-man and lock for the Gamecocks, serving as both captain and president. Howard was named an All-American and was a proud recipient of the Smolka Scholarship.
 

After graduating, he returned to his hometown and coached the forward pack at Rye High School in 2024, staying closely connected to the game and helping develop the next generation of players.

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Howard currently works for ANC Sports, a national leader in LED video displays and stadium technology, where he helps install, operate, maintain, and support digital signage across major sports and entertainment venues. His little brother, Brady, currently plays for the Gamecocks.

Danny Johnson discovered rugby at the University of South Carolina during Freshmen Orientation in the summer of 1992.  After 6 months on campus, and seeing a recruiting poster, he went to a practice, bought a pair of boots, and never left until graduating with a B.S. in Management and Marketing in 1997.  Danny learned the game as a Lock, moved to Flanker and played 8 Man his last two years.  Following his time at USC, Danny played with Olde Grey, as time permitted, before "retiring" to focus on career and family.

Danny has 27 years of experience in medical device component supply, including global sales and leadership. He has spent the last 7 years as Vice President of Research and Development at Zeus Industrial Products. He and his wife, Lexa, have been married for 23 years and live in Swansea, SC. Their daughter, Davin, is a recent Wofford College graduate.

Katie Lewis is a 2025 Sport and Entertainment Management Graduate from USC. She spent three years at Carolina as the rugby intern where she excelled in events management. After graduating, Katie wanted to stay involved with the foundation postgrad and always loved the events that she helped to run, leading to her taking over this position.

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Katie moved back to her hometown of Annapolis MD after graduation and works as the Golf Shop Coordinator at TPC Potomac in Potomac MD. She is also the Vice President of the Board of Managers for GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis and the National Youth Board Advisor for the organization, which provides free services to individuals with Down syndrome.