Smolka to be inducted into USC Rugby Hall of Fame

No one has given more of their time and treasure to USC rugby than Jeff Smolka, who will be inducted into the University of South Carolina Rugby Hall of Fame April 19. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Smolka grew up in Greenville, South Carolina.

A University of South Carolina graduate, Jeff wore the garnet and black jersey 1984-88 and has remained connected to the program for more than five decades. He has served as head coach, assistant coach and is a past Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Carolina Rugby Foundation.

For 19 years, Jeff participated in the Carolina Clemson Blood Battle on behalf of the team where USC won 14 of the 19 battles. Jeff founded the original Carolina Men’s Rugby Endowments in 2014. His passion broadened into the Gamecock Rugby Scholarship program in 2015. Two years ago, he began working with the University to extend this aid to incoming freshmen, international students and graduate students. This effort has advanced USC Rugby’s recruiting strength along the eastern seaboard and internationally.

Today, 42 students benefit from his scholarship philanthropy, which extends near in-state tuition to out of state students. Jeff, a Project Manager with the State, lives with his wife, Margaret, in Winnsboro, S.C. The couple have three grown children, Meredith, Elizabeth and William.

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