National Collegiate Rugby Release
Eight regional All-Star teams from across the nation will compete in National Collegiate Rugby’s All-Star Shield Challenge.
The competition will be held January 15-16 at the Houston Sabercats’ AVEVA Stadium.
This unique All-Star event includes the best players from across all men’s divisions, including Division I, Division II, and Small College. Over 300 players, representing 100 schools, were selected based on regional tryouts and coach nominations.
Great Lakes Thunderbirds Head Coach: John Harley, Marian Assistant: Emil Walton, Louisville Assistant: Mike Geibel, Wheeling Assistant: Sanders Slevatz, Western Michigan
New England Independents (Red) Head Coach: Ed Tubridy, Northeastern Management/Assistant: Tom Clark, Mystic River
New England Independents (White) Head Coach: Stephen Diamantopoulos, UMass-Lowell Assistant: Alex Broussard, Tufts Assistant: Matt Charest, UMass-Lowell
Mid-Atlantic Sharks Head Coach: John Solomon, Catholic Assistant: Steve Nabors, Catholic Assistant: Brad Burns, Unaffiliated Management: James Conrad, Christendom
Midwest Barbarians Head Coach: Jeramy Katchuba, Minnesota-Duluth Assistant: Joe Lippert, Iowa Central Assistant: Hamish McCallion, Iowa Central
Assistant: Tyler Selleck, St. Scholastica Management: Justin Whitton, Gateway Conference
Pacific Coast Grizzlies (plus greater West Region) Head Coach: Jeremy Ognall, Claremont Assistant: Scott Bracken, Claremont Assistant: Jake Nelson, Glendale Raptors Management: Dave Buckey, Cal Maritime
Southeast Bears Head Coach: Nick Whitrow, Belmont Abbey Assistant/Management: Tyree Reed, Queens Assistant: Genaro Fessia, UNC-Charlotte Assistant: Lauren Judkins, Lee Assistant: Nick Prather, Auburn
Tri-State Vikings Head Coach: Dave Chapman, Colgate Assistant: James Kimberly, Marist Assistant: Danny Neighbour, St. Bonaventure
The All-Star teams will compete in pool play and then knockout rounds leading to the Shield Challenge championship. MLR representatives will be in attendance over the weekend to identify future professional athletes.
In addition to the All-Star competition, five Rising Star teams will also compete for a championship. The Rising Stars, consisting of emerging all-star caliber players, pull 120 players from over 40 schools.
Jeremy Treece, the NCR CEO, commented, “The All-Star Shield Challenge brings together the best players in college rugby. We are excited to give these talented student-athletes a platform to showcase their talents and compete alongside other top-level players.”
The full player rosters will be released during the week of January 7.
The Houston Sabercats will also host the Women’s All-Star 7s National Cup, which is scheduled for the following weekend, January 22-23.
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