NSCRO Release
NSCRO is proud to announce that Angela Smarto has been appointed as Commissioner of the new Women’s Open Division.
Smarto recently completed her seventh season as head coach of the Robert Morris University Women’s Rugby Club. She is in her third year serving as the Allegheny Rugby Union Women’s Collegiate Coordinator, previously serving four years as the union’s secretary and webmaster. She founded the union’s women’s all-star program in 2017 which competes in various 15s and 7s events year-round including the NSCRO All-Star 7s Championship annually.
Smarto began her rugby career in Happy Valley playing for Penn State from 2007-2012, while also coaching the State College High School Girls Team from 2008-2012. Post-graduate Smarto was actively involved with the Pittsburgh Rugby Club and as president led the merger to the newly formed Pittsburgh Forge before retiring from senior rugby in 2019.
When asked to serve on NSCRO women’s staff, Smarto said “I was truly energized by the idea of creating something new. Working with Bryn Chivers to help guide the future of women’s collegiate rugby is something I am passionate about. I am happy to be in a place that matches my enthusiasm to support the growth of the game.”
Smarto will now begin working with the Commissioners from Open Division conferences to establish a Competitions Committee to review current eligibility policies and the new competition structure. The Competitions Committee will develop the new playoff structure leading to the first Women’s Open Division National Championship scheduled for December 5-6.
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