Rugby United New York & Kyle Sumsion

Rugby United New York signed former USA Eagle Kyle Sumsion for the 2019 Major League Rugby season. Prior to moving to New York, the 28-year-old, 6’2″, 240 pound, back row player, captained the Houston Sabercats in the 2018 Major League Rugby season.

While playing in New York, Sumsion will also be an Assistant Rugby Coach at the United States Military Academy.

Sumsion is from Provo, Utah and attended American Fork High School where he played tight end in football and graduated in 2008.

In 2009 he attended Brigham Young University where he was an Honorable Mention Collegiate All-American and scored a try in the team’s win over Cal in the Varsity Cup Final. That was the first of his five National titles that he earned while playing for BYU. The others were in 2012 through 2015. He also was an Honorable Mention All-American in 2012 and an All-American in 2013 through 2015. In 2013 he also was named BYU Rugby Forever Anchor Award recipient in 2013. His final two seasons at BYU he was the team’s captain and was named the national Title MVP both years.

Following his freshman year in 2009, he was invited to play for the USA Rugby Under-20s, however, the timing coincided with his going on an LDS church mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

During 2014, while at BYU, Sumsion was invited to a USA Rugby Men’s Eagles Camp at Life University. His performance impressed and he was selected for the Eagles (No. 450) debuting against Uruguay in the first of two qualifying matches on March 22 and again March 29. He then played against Japan in June, and Tonga and Fiji in November. He also played against the Maori All Blacks in Philadelphia.

His time at BYU was also life-changing as he met his future wife Haley Johnson, who was a cheerleader at BYU, in 2009 and they married in December 2014.

Education has been important for Sumsion and he graduated BYU with a Bachelor’s Degree in sports and Exercise. He then attended Lindenwood University – Belleville as a graduate assistant from 2015 through 2017 and earned an MBA Degree. He was also an Assistant Rugby Coach while there.

In 2016 he played professional rugby with the Sacramento Express and following the season returned to Lindenwood-Belleville to coach.

In August 2017 he signed with the Houston SaberCats for the inaugural 2018 Major League Rugby season and was named the team’s captain. Following the conclusion of the season, he moved to New York after accepting an Assistant Rugby coaching position at the United States Military Academy. He will also continue with playing professional rugby in 2019 with Rugby United New York.

Rugby United New York Comments

“We are very happy to welcome Kyle to RUNY,” General Manager James English told us. “His rugby speaks for itself, but it’s the character and leadership he brings that is most impressive. He is the sort of guy you follow into battle.”

“Kyle’s signing adds an important component to our team’s fabric,” added Head Coach Mike Tolkin. “He brings leadership, talent, and both international and MLR experience to the mix. He’s excelled at every stop, and we are excited to welcome him to New York.”

“I am excited to join RUNY for next season,” Sumsion said. “New York City not only has a great history of rugby, but also some of the best sports fans in the world. I am excited to play at MCU Park, and I expect us to be competing for the MLR Shield come June.”