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Kevin Higgins College Scholarships
To honor one of the most prolific players to ever pull on a United States Eagles jersey, the United States Rugby Football Foundation is pleased to announce the second year of the Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Program.
Kevin Higgins College Scholarships
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Help keep Kevin's legacy alive by donating to the Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Fund. Last fall, the USRFF awarded six $1,000 Kevin Higgins College Scholarships to dese rving high school seniors who went on to play rugby in college. This year, the USRFF will once again provide up to 10 Higgins Scholarships. These independent scholarships are open to all graduating high school rugby players in the US who
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will be pursuing their rugby career while continuing their education at the collegiate level.
A dashing number 13 who could play a rugged 12 and also outpace most on the wing, "Higgy" was a three-time Collegiate All-American at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. Kevin was still a student when he made the first of 28 test match appearances against Japan in 1985. He represented the United States at the first two Rugby World Cups, in 1987 (Australia) and 1991 (England), and captained the team three times, a testament to his overall skill and leadership. Kevin also earned 16 'caps' with the USA 7s team, making three trips to the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens Tournament.
Kevin's skills were recognized internationally. He was selected to play for the Barbarians, an international all-star team,&nbs p;on their annual Easter Tour. Higgy was also selected for the Teljoy World XV, teaming with the likes of Alan and Gary Whetton, Grant Fox, Bernie Fraser, Stan Pilecki, Buck Shelford and fellow American, Mike Purcell. On the domestic scene, Kevin helped OMBAC to three national club championships.
"The Rugby Foundation is once again proud to be able to be a part of the Kevin Higgins Scholarship Program," said USRFF Executive Director Brian Vizard, a former teammate of Higgins. "We received strong applications from over 20 graduating seniors last year and the outpouring of support from the rugby community allowed us to provide six of those with scholarships. We look forward to increased support and participation from those who knew and loved Kevin and from the rugby community at large who admired his commitment and contributions to the game. Our goal is=2 0to be able to grant 10 scholarships in the coming year."
Kevin touched the lives of his teammates, friends and opponents in so many ways, that he was as cherished off the field as he was on. Those who had the honor of playing alongside him, against him, touring with him and working with him still smile as classic Higgy stories are shared. He lifted the spirits and work ethic of every squad he joined. He played with a passion second to none. Such zest for the game sadly led to frequent concussions, prematurely ending his playing career and perhaps contributing to his untimely passing in 1996.
The Delaware Rugby Foundation is again taking applications for our scholarship to an incoming University of Delaware freshman. To qualify the applicant must be entering the University of Delaware as a freshman in the fall of 2009, must agree to play for either the UD Men's or Women's teams, and must complete all portions of the scholarship application by the due date. I have attached the link to the application
http://www.derugbyfoundation.org/scholarship/scholarship.htm
Please help us get the word out. Application deadline is April 1, 2009.
Past winners:
2007 Pat Goldring (Wilmington Colts)
2008 Pat Hickey ( North Bay Rugby)
Thanks!
Jerry Humphrey
From St Boneventure Coach 06/23/08:
Cheshire Rugby
Dear Bill,
First of all, allow me to introduce myself – I am Clarence Picard, head coach of
men’s rugby at St. Bonaventure University. As high school rugby thrives across the
country, SBU is committed to providing opportunities for dedicated young men to
continue their academic and athletic endeavors at a first-rate Franciscan university.
St. Bonaventure Rugby is one of the fastest growing, most successful teams in
New York. The club won the Division II NY State Championship in 1993, ’98, 2004 and
’07 and is ranked in the top 15 Division II teams nationally. The club is actively
recruiting experienced players as it plans to move to Division I next year. Our goal is
simple – to be the premier rugby-playing Catholic university in the East. Our ambitious
schedule features some of the top teams in the country (Cherry Blossom Tournament,
Bowling Green, Middlebury) and overseas tours (Ireland 2008, Argentina ’10). Recently
we’ve placed several players on select sides including an age-grade USA Eagle.
As a 2005 graduate of SBU, I can attest that the University, and rugby club in
particular, helped mold me into the man I am today. Our campus is beautiful in Autumn.
I encourage you to contact me at 440-263-4750 or
a visit for a practice or match this season. Visit
information. I would also urge you to contact SBU’s Admissions at 1-800-462-5050 or
clarencepicard@yahoo.com to arrangehttp://www.sburfc.com for more club
admissions@sbu.edu
. Visit http://www.sbu.edu/admissions.aspx to apply for free. Visit
http://www.sbu.edu/undergraduate_Admissions.aspx?id=1998
Cheers,
Clarence Picard
St. Bonaventure University R.F.C.
for financial aid details.
Vassar College
Dear Coach:
I would like to contact the seniors and juniors on your rugby team and introduce them to the opportunities here at Vassar College. Applications for September 2008 are due January 1, 2008.
The Vassar College Athletics Department supports the Rugby programs like a varsity sport. Athletic trainers are provided at games and the athletic training facility is available for pre-game and post-game treatment of rugby players; transportation for away games is coordinated by the Athletics Department and buses are provided; the Sports Information Department reports and photographs the games publishing details on the Athletics web site. A student is able to earn a varsity letter in Rugby.
As you can see the Athletic Department is committed to building a top quality rugby program at Vassar.
The Vassar Men compete in the Metropolitan New York Rugby Union and have qualified for the Northeast playoffs 8 of the last 10 years. We tour overseas regularly so that players get a full rugby experience.
Vassar can provide the very best support for a college bound student who not only wants a first class degree but also wants to learn and play the sport of Rugby Union.
Sincerely,
Tony Brown
Men's & Women's Rugby Coach
Vassar College, VC Box 750
124 Raymond Avenue,
Poughkeepsie, New York 12604
U.S.A.
From Southern Vermont University
Dear Fellow Ruggers,
My name is Jeremiah Madison but please call me Jerm. Everyone else does. I am the head men’s and women’s rugby coach for Southern Vermont College. I am currently beginning my first spring season with the college after having a relatively successful fall season here.
One thing about our program, which most of you know but some of you may not, is that we are a varsity program. All of you probably recognize the benefits of playing for a varsity program and I am sure that most of you would like to see more schools around the nation, both at the college and high school level, move the sport forward by making it varsity. However, one thing that is essential for the program to stay alive at the varsity level is to bring in players. That is the purpose of this email. I NEED PLAYERS!!!
I am asking that if any of you have any players that you think would like to play rugby in college, please send them my way. I am seeking all positions and all skill levels. As you know, most rugby players are not introduced to the sport until college anyways; so even if a player is not a “Blue Chip,” the fact remains that they have the basic rugby knowledge of the average college sophomore or higher. So I will take any and all players you have.
Please inform your juniors and seniors of my program. I am including a free application for the college. It’s free so why not have your players fill it out? We do not offer athletic scholarships, however, we do have academic scholarships and scholarships for just about anything that your players participated in. So if you can, have your juniors and seniors email me, and/or give them the application, that would be wonderful. Just make sure that they put CONTACTED BY COACH MADISON where it asks to make sure they are not charged for the application.
Also, I would love to watch one of your games and or practices so if you could email me a copy of your game and practice schedule, that would be great also. I will then email you and make arrangements to visit. I appreciate your help in this matter.
Yours in Rugby,
Jeremiah Madison aka Jerm
Head Rugby Coach
Southern Vermont College
982 Mansion Drive
Bennington, VT 05201
Office: 802-447-4671
Fax: 802-447-4652
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