June 24, 2016
Life University Adds Laura Miller as a Women’s Rugby Coach
Photo: Life U – Laura Miller
Life University Press Release:
Fri, Jun 24, 2016
Capping an amazing year that saw the Life U Women’s Rugby team reach the D1 Elite national semifinals in 15s, and capturing both the USA Rugby and CRC national titles in 7s, the program received another boost this week when it was announced that two elite coaches will be added to the staff for next year. Joining the program will be Laura Miller and Kevin Corley, each of whom brings unique skills and expertise to the table.
Laura Miller has an impressive career as a player, being a two-time Collegiate All-American at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and having stints with the London Saracens in the English Premiership and most recently captaining the Women’s Premier League champion Glendale Raptors. She earned five caps for the US Women’s National Team in 15s, competing in the Nations Cup, European Test Series, and the Super Series. She was also in the player pool for the US Women’s Sevens team for three years.
Miller has coached in the Glendale Raptors Rugby Academy since 2013, working primarily with the middle and high school girls’ teams. In addition to her rugby coaching, Miller is a health coach, working with clients, many of whom are athletes, to build healthier lifestyles.
“In our nationwide search to enhance our elite coaching staff, I was elated that a person of Laura’s caliber was interested in being part of our team,” said Life U Women’s Head Coach Rosalind Chou. “She has played at the highest level, has a background in coaching and high performance, and has excelled in leadership roles. She has been one of the fiercest competitors on the pitch (Chou and coach Kimberly Knipe played against her in the 2014 WPL semifinal), and now we get to work alongside to grow young women in this sport and in life. She will immediately contribute to the program and serve as a great role model for our women.”
Said Miller, “I could not be more excited to join the Life U team. This opportunity to coach with the Running Eagles is an incredible chance to learn from and grow with a program that has, in a very short amount of time, made a mark on collegiate rugby.”
Kevin Corley is originally from New Jersey and played for St. Bonaventure University. He cut his coaching teeth under legendary US National Sevens team coach Emile Signes, and has worked alongside high school and collegiate coach Tom Feury. Corley coached the New Jersey Blaze to back-to-back CRC titles in the high school division, and recently coached the Atlantis 7s U-19 team to the Atlanta 7s title in the high school division.
“When our Athletic Director Dan Payne said I could add another coach to my staff, I didn’t know that I’d get so many quality applicants,” recalls Chou. “Kevin has a great coaching pedigree and it is clear that this is his chosen career path. He’s very accomplished coaching young women and has quite a knack for 7s rugby. He’s got a great work ethic and we look forward to growing with him as part of our coaching staff. ”
Said Corley, “I love rugby and I enjoy coaching very much. I’m excited for this opportunity to be on the coaching staff at Life U. It’s a great opportunity to learn and grow more as a coach. ”
Coach Miller will be on campus next week for the Life U Girls High School Rugby Camp, and both will start working with the Life U team ahead of the 2016 D1 Elite campaign for the Running Eagles that will commence this fall.
