Cal defeats Life University 55-38 to win the D1A National Championship. Wish Jack Clark were our head football coach.
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Another Rugby National Championship
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Last: 13 days ago by Rushinbear
Oh yea, back on top
Go Bears Forever
Go Bears Forever
"Cal won a national college rugby 15s championship for the first time since 2017 and for the 29th time overall by knocking off Life University 55-38 in the 2025 D1A National Collegiate Championship match Saturday in Indianapolis."
Congratulations to the team!
Congratulations to the team!
"Go Bears For Now"
Was Jim Knowlton spotted at the game?
Was our assistant athletic director at the game?
No tweets from them both. Nothing.
Was our assistant athletic director at the game?
No tweets from them both. Nothing.
bear2034 said:
Was Jim Knowlton spotted at the game?
Was our assistant athletic director at the game?
No tweets from them both. Nothing.
Cal wins a National Championship and nary a word from the AD.
Not a good look.
Asleep at the wheel ????
Grounds for termination for cause, in and of itself.GivemTheAxe said:bear2034 said:
Was Jim Knowlton spotted at the game?
Was our assistant athletic director at the game?
No tweets from them both. Nothing.
Cal wins a National Championship and nary a word from the AD.
Not a good look.
Asleep at the wheel ????
How does a near-bankrupt chiropractor "school" like life university, with enrollment under 3,000, a graduation rate in the 40% range and an acceptance rate of 98% put together a championship caliber rugby team?
Tradition. They've been at the top levels of college rugby since at least the early 1980s. They also tap into the vast pool of experienced international rugby players in their early 20s yearning to be chiropractors.bearsandgiants said:
How does a near-bankrupt chiropractor "school" like life university, with enrollment under 3,000, a graduation rate in the 40% range and an acceptance rate of 98% put together a championship caliber rugby team?
That was how it was explained to me. Apparently there is a large demand overseas for chiropractors as middle age farts in many places of the world CONTINUE to play a sport that puts significant strain on your spine ;-)Eastern Oregon Bear said:Tradition. They've been at the top levels of college rugby since at least the early 1980s. They also tap into the vast pool of experienced international rugby players in their early 20s yearning to be chiropractors.bearsandgiants said:
How does a near-bankrupt chiropractor "school" like life university, with enrollment under 3,000, a graduation rate in the 40% range and an acceptance rate of 98% put together a championship caliber rugby team?
bearsandgiants said:
How does a near-bankrupt chiropractor "school" like life university, with enrollment under 3,000, a graduation rate in the 40% range and an acceptance rate of 98% put together a championship caliber rugby team?
Easy.
Take a look at their roster.
36% of their players are from overseas.
This is really a significant victory for the Bears. Not only do they get a new banner to put up on the Witter fences, but this victory was a west vs. east showdown that showed how good collegiate rugby in the U.S. has gotten.
Keep in mind, Navy had only one defeat during the season, and that defeat was to Life by only a few points. Navy defeated Cal and represented Cal's only loss during the season. In the playoffs, Navy was defeated and eliminated by Lindenwood. Who knocks out Lindenwood? Life! And the Bears defeated Life for the national championship.
College Rugby is, at the top level, becoming very balanced. More and more international players, more and more international coaches, and more and more varsity programs.
For Cal to pull this one off is significant. They beat the best of the best by being focused, relentless, and aggressive.
That was a wonderful exhibition put on by two really great programs.
That makes it 29 national titles for Cal Rugby. TWENTY NINE!!!!
And with the way Coach Clark manages his lineups, his team and the program, I would not be surprised to see Cal back competing for that national championship again next year.
Keep in mind, Navy had only one defeat during the season, and that defeat was to Life by only a few points. Navy defeated Cal and represented Cal's only loss during the season. In the playoffs, Navy was defeated and eliminated by Lindenwood. Who knocks out Lindenwood? Life! And the Bears defeated Life for the national championship.
College Rugby is, at the top level, becoming very balanced. More and more international players, more and more international coaches, and more and more varsity programs.
For Cal to pull this one off is significant. They beat the best of the best by being focused, relentless, and aggressive.
That was a wonderful exhibition put on by two really great programs.
That makes it 29 national titles for Cal Rugby. TWENTY NINE!!!!
And with the way Coach Clark manages his lineups, his team and the program, I would not be surprised to see Cal back competing for that national championship again next year.
A replay of the whole game is now posted on The Rugby Channel. You can register for free.
Cal has 21 players from overseas!
A thousand dollars and a plane ticket!
Yes. On Saturday, I also watched the 7 on 7s rugby world championship here in Carson at Dignity Health Sports Park.. Even though the US Eagles home grown players have improved just as rugby has grown here in America,, the international field of players was way impressive. Filling the roster with international players may reap short term benefits, but we need to cultivate the sport from the ground up. While living in NZ I saw how the history and traditions of rugby as simply part of the culture. Like baseball and football here. We have already turned our college football into a mercenary sport, so will that be the future of rugby here?. Buy your kid (boy or girl) a rugby ball, find a club, and enjoy a game that makes American football look silly. By the way, the NZ Black Ferns are world champs winning gold while the All Blacks took the bronze. Bear ruggers national champs! How about that!!tpender said:
Cal has 21 players from overseas!
Bring back bottled beer and cigars at CMS. Should get us back in the Rose Bowl!
Realignment
72, I think the game is expanding big-time and organically here in the states.
As I've pointed out previously, there are more and more international players and coaches than ever before. There are increasing varsity programs. And there is now profressional rugby which was unthinkable not so long ago.
With many players at the high school level deciding to forgo football in favor of rugby, a rapidly expanding landscape of high school and youth programs, and the slow but steady interest on the part of sports networks in the game (note ESPN+ broadcast Cal home games this season). And rugby is far less expensive to support financially for schools than football. That's why schools like St. Marys can do so well since they don't have to support a "big time" football program. Also, I've noted that Arizona, even though it's not a "varsity" designated aport, has begun a scholarship program. BYU is not "varsity" but is supported by their athletic department. And I keep hearing rumblings about something happening at UC(la) that will be significant.
Also, look at the home crowds at Cal and St. Marys. I know some of the eastern schools also draw very well.
So I think the game is growing quickly and effectively in an organic manner here in the states.
And the women are picking up on the greatness of the game as well. Cal competed for the natty this year in women's rugby and I love the attitude of the players. They're all in!
But I do envy you for your exposure to New Zealand rugby. The All Blacks and the Black Ferns are impressive, even from a distance. And the international game is such a great spectacle. South Africa, France, Argentina, now Japan............."it's all good"!!!
As I've pointed out previously, there are more and more international players and coaches than ever before. There are increasing varsity programs. And there is now profressional rugby which was unthinkable not so long ago.
With many players at the high school level deciding to forgo football in favor of rugby, a rapidly expanding landscape of high school and youth programs, and the slow but steady interest on the part of sports networks in the game (note ESPN+ broadcast Cal home games this season). And rugby is far less expensive to support financially for schools than football. That's why schools like St. Marys can do so well since they don't have to support a "big time" football program. Also, I've noted that Arizona, even though it's not a "varsity" designated aport, has begun a scholarship program. BYU is not "varsity" but is supported by their athletic department. And I keep hearing rumblings about something happening at UC(la) that will be significant.
Also, look at the home crowds at Cal and St. Marys. I know some of the eastern schools also draw very well.
So I think the game is growing quickly and effectively in an organic manner here in the states.
And the women are picking up on the greatness of the game as well. Cal competed for the natty this year in women's rugby and I love the attitude of the players. They're all in!
But I do envy you for your exposure to New Zealand rugby. The All Blacks and the Black Ferns are impressive, even from a distance. And the international game is such a great spectacle. South Africa, France, Argentina, now Japan............."it's all good"!!!
Exchanged hello's yesterday with my former boss who I hadn't had contact with for several years. Her son is playing rugby and just graduated from Iowa hs after playing with his hs team for 4 years. He's going to Iowa St. to play there. The whole family loves it and will be following him for away games, even.TomBear said:
72, I think the game is expanding big-time and organically here in the states.
As I've pointed out previously, there are more and more international players and coaches than ever before. There are increasing varsity programs. And there is now profressional rugby which was unthinkable not so long ago.
With many players at the high school level deciding to forgo football in favor of rugby, a rapidly expanding landscape of high school and youth programs, and the slow but steady interest on the part of sports networks in the game (note ESPN+ broadcast Cal home games this season). And rugby is far less expensive to support financially for schools than football. That's why schools like St. Marys can do so well since they don't have to support a "big time" football program. Also, I've noted that Arizona, even though it's not a "varsity" designated aport, has begun a scholarship program. BYU is not "varsity" but is supported by their athletic department. And I keep hearing rumblings about something happening at UC(la) that will be significant.
Also, look at the home crowds at Cal and St. Marys. I know some of the eastern schools also draw very well.
So I think the game is growing quickly and effectively in an organic manner here in the states.
And the women are picking up on the greatness of the game as well. Cal competed for the natty this year in women's rugby and I love the attitude of the players. They're all in!
But I do envy you for your exposure to New Zealand rugby. The All Blacks and the Black Ferns are impressive, even from a distance. And the international game is such a great spectacle. South Africa, France, Argentina, now Japan............."it's all good"!!!
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