Kutztown comes into this event, fresh off a December, 2011 Final Four finish, in the USA National Sevens Championship, held in College Station, Texas. The Bears lost in the semi-finals, to none other than, Central Washington, 19-17. Life University (Marietta,  Georgia ) defeated Central Washington in overtime, to capture  the inaugural 2011 National Collegiate Sevens Championship.

The teams have recently been notified of their Las Vegas pool play competition. Kutztown has been placed in “Conference One” and seeded first in their bracket. The other first place bracket seeds of “Conference One” are, Miami University, San Diego State and Life University. The Golden Bears, if given the opportunity, will have to rise to the challenge of defeating the 2011 National Champions, (Life University) if they are to advance to the Finals. 

The 2012 Las Vegas Invitational Collegiate Champion will advance to the NBC national collegiate invitational television event, known as the Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC). The CRC is a sixteen team invitational tournament with only one qualifying team on the billboard. 

The Las Vegas Invitational being the only qualifying venue for that event. The CRC is held in Philadelphia PPL Park, on June 2-3, 2012.

2012 LAS VEGAS COLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL SEVENS TOURNAMENT  

CONFERENCE ONE 

A   BRACKET

Life University

St. Joe’s University

Claremont Colleges

University of Buffalo

B   BRACKET

Kutztown University

University of Missouri

Creighton University

University of San Francisco

C   BRACKET

University of Miami

Air Force Academy

University of Texas

University of Pittsburgh

D  BRACKET

San Diego State University

Western Washington University

New Mexico State University

Denver University

CONFERENCE TWO

A  BRACKET

Central Washington University

Yale University

Indiana University

Weber State University

B  BRACKET

University of Utah

Davenport University 

Southern Illinois University

Regis University

C  BRACKET

Cal Poly University

University of Georgia

Stanford University

Albany University

D  BRACKET 

Stony Brook University

UCLA

Brown University

Longwood University

1.  Life College

2.  Central Washington

3.  Arkansas State

4.  Kutztown

5.  St. Mary’s

6.  Colorado

7.  Tennessee

8.  Cal Poly

9.   Miami of Ohio

10. UC Davis

11. Texas A&M

12. Wisconsin

13. Oklahoma

14. San Diego State

15. North Carolina State

16. Western Washington

17. Air Force Academy

18. Virginia

19. Arkansas

20. Texas

21. Florida

22. Stony Brook

23. UW-Milwaukee

24. Florida State

Kutztown Rugby finished second in the 2011 Las Vegas Invitational. The Golden Bears defeated Brown, UCLA, Air Force Academy, Whittier College, San Diego University and Delaware en route to the finals. They lost to Central Washington University in the championship match (12-0). Kutztown is coming off a December 2011 Final Four appearance in the inaugural USA Rugby National Collegiate 7’s Tournament, held in College Station, Texas – home of Texas A&M University. Here Kutztown defeated Florida State, UC-Davis, Florida and the University of Tennessee before losing in the semi-final match to Central Washington once again, (19-17). Those two tournaments, the CRC and the USA Nationals are the most prestigious collegiate tournaments in America. Kutztown has demonstrated and earned national prominence in both of those events. They will inevitably be one of the pre-tournament favorites in the 2012 Las Vegas Invitational, held February 9-11. Thirty two college teams have entered the tournament and the field is complete. Alongside Kutztown and battling for the championship, will be the likes of Life College, Central Washington, Utah, Texas, Missouri, San Diego State, UCLA, Stanford, Air Force, Georgia, Cal Poly, New Mexico, Oregon, Claremont, Indiana, Brown, Pitt and Miami of Ohio, to mention a few. This tournament is measuring up to be the most competitive Las Vegas Invitational to date. Certainly every entrant wants to win this prestigious tournament and showcase their program on national television.

The Kutztown coaching staff will bring their sevens players back to campus one week prior to the finish of winter break. The squad will be tested once again and tryout invitations have been sent to pre-selected athletes that weren’t picked for the USA Nationals in December. The Las Vegas squad may have some new names on the roster. Whatever the outcome in training camp, rest assured,  that the Golden Bears will be prepared for the competition in Las Vegas.

On another note pertaining to the Las Vegas Tournament. The Kutztown Rugby Alumni are attempting to put together an alumni weekend in Las Vegas. If interested, please contact Marco Cardillo at  mcardillo12@hotmail.com or 856-466-7250. Alumnus Brian Dettling and Steve Hasselbach will be in attendance. This is a tremendous opportunity for the alumni to support the college side, watch international sevens and have an unforgettable weekend on the Las Vegas strip.

RUN WITH THE BEARS!

The Golden Bears started the tournament in high gear. They defeated Florida State 33-19 and Kutztown freshmen Niku Kruger tallied thirteen individual points in the win. The second match of the day pitted Kutztown against an excellent Cal-Davis side. The winner of this game would most likely be the pool de-facto champion and advance to the Elite Eight. Last year in the Las Vegas Invitational, Kutztown and Cal Davis advanced to the semi-finals of that tournament. Cal-Davis fell to Central Washington but Kutztown defeated Delaware. Kutztown was very aware of the high caliber side they were about to face. Neither side disappointed the fans, as the match was decided by a conversion. All-American Tim Acker, scored all three of Kutztown’s tries and the Golden Bears triumphed 19-17. The final pool match of the day saw Kutztown take on a very physical side from the University of Florida. Earlier in the day, Florida nearly defeated Cal-Davis but the Aggies scored on the last play of the game to eke out a 10-5 victory. Kutztown had fits with the big Gators and it took six minutes before anyone scored. Kutztown worked very hard to secure the pool championship and an Elite Eight position. When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read Kutztown 17 and Florida 0.

The evening consisted of a team meal at the Australian Outback, strategy talks and lights out at 9:30 P.M. The tournament’s competition committee seeded the Elite Eight and Kutztown awoke to find themselves seeded third overall. Their first test in the quarter-finals, would be the Tennessee University Volunteers. The match was a seesaw affair with Kutztown dotting down the only try at the end of the first stanza. Tennessee pressured the Golden Bears with the majority of possession but couldn’t penetrate the Kutztown defense. Midway through the second half, Tennessee committed two turnovers and Kutztown pounced on the opportunities to score twice, ending the match on top, 17-0. Kutztown, had advanced to the National Final Four.

Their opponent would be Central Washington University. The same Central Team that defeated Kutztown in the Las Vegas Invitational Finals 12-0. This would be a very stern test for both sides. The Wildcats were definitely up for the task, as they scored two tries in the opening three minutes and took charge, 14-0. Kutztown shook it’s head, dug in and proceeded to claw their way back to the opposite goal line. The Bears scored at the end of the first stanza, going into halftime, down 14-5. The start of the second half was all Kutztown. They looked sharp scoring two more tries and taking the lead 15-14, with little more then a minute on the clock. They kicked off to Central but the unthinkable occurred. The referee declared that the ball hadn’t traveled ten yards and Central was awarded the ball at mid-field. This was a deciding factor in the outcome for the Golden Bears. The difference between a national championship appearance and a semi-final exit. Why, because Kutztown has a 6′7 South African player by the name of Michael Lawrenson, who excels in fielding his team’s kick-offs or in the least, disrupts the opposing team’s reception. Enough, for a teammate to pick the ball up off the deck. So, that kick-off travels one more yard in the right direction and Kutztown gains possession and runs out the clock. A play they had been preforming the entire tournament. No, the ball is now in the hands of Central Washington and after several attacking phases, finds Central Washington All-American, Tim Stanfill, diving over the goal line by inches. The Kutztown quest for a national championship ends on that play and Central advances to the national championship final, on a last minute 19-15 victory.

Later in the afternoon, a discouraged and injury laden Kutztown team takes the field in the consolation match against Arkansas State. Kutztown captain and All-American Tim Acker, leaves the game early, with an ankle injury. All-American Jamie Gregory cannot play due to a torn left quadriceps muscle and Mike Lawrenson is breathing through clenched teeth, due to a rib injury. Speedster Gareth Lourens can’t tackle with a shoulder “stinger” and leaves the game as well. The Golden Bears limp through the game with one try held up and another called a knock-on in the end zone. It is over, an excellent Arkansas State team dominates an emaciated Kutztown side, 27-0. When it’s all over and time is taken to reflect on the effort, one cannot help but to feel proud of how these players represented their university and one another. By the way, Central Washington went on to lose in the finals. Life College of Marrietta,Georgia, scored on the last phase of the game to tie in regulation and eventually win in sudden death overtime. The Golden Bears have solidified their sevens reputation as one of the best in the nation. The fourth best in 2011, as a matter of fact and after returning home, they will once again set their sights on the national sevens championship In 2012. They have every reason to be positive about their quest. Of all the players that just traveled to Texas, only one is a senior.

RUN WITH THE BEARS!

Meanwhile, the Developmental sides exclusively represent Kutztown University throughout the fall semester’s season. The three developmental sides practice four days a week, hold meetings on college orientation, time management, academic standards and rugby strategy. The freshmen are monitored throughout their initial semester. Each freshmen is assigned a player that is an upper class-men, as a “Big Brother”.  All three sides spend Sunday mornings viewing post game films of their matches. Player groups are organized and assigned a weight training regime during the semester. The developmental structure is designed to resemble a rugby academy. A winning record is used as one of the program’s measuring sticks – however, never considered the most vital component, when compared to overall individual player development and improvement.

The Developmental Program presently consists of three sides. They are listed in the order of skill levels and translate to D-1,D-2 & D-3. With D-1 indicating the top side in the program, the D-1 side, under Coach Horowitz’s tutelage, recorded a 9-1 record for the inaugural season. They went 3-0 to open the season in the Philly Cup Tournament, defeating Georgetown 26-0 , East Stroudsburg 31-3 and eventual 2011 EPRU champions, Shippensburg 29-0 . The rest of the season saw them defeat Drexel 46-0, Millersville 43-0, Temple 20-16, St. Joe’s 50-31, Rutgers 74-0 and in a rematch, Shippensburg 53-0 . The only loss was at the hands of Super League member, New York Athletic Club’s second side, 24-22. The D-1 side represented Kutztown University, by scoring 394 total points and only 74 points scored against. The team’s total point differential stands at an astounding +320 points.

The D-2 team recorded a perfect season, going 8-0. They also went 3-0 in the Philly Cup Tournament. They defeated the Shippensburg 2nd side, 21-0 , Villanova  34-0 and the University of Pennsylvania 35-0. The remainder of the season saw them defeat Millersville 91-3, Temple 15-12, St. Joe’s 36-0, Drexel 24-0 and Shippensburg 19-5. The team scored a total of 275 points with only 20 points scored against and their point differential was recorded at +255 points.

The D-3 team recorded a 4-1 record. They opened the season with a win over Lafayette 43-3. Followed by their only loss, at the hands of F&M 24-22. Penn State – Berks fell to the Golden Bears, 38-14. Albright was next, losing 27-22. The D-3 side then revenged their only loss of the season, when they had a rematch with F&M and won with the home field advantage, 41-0. The team ’s season total was 171 points scored with 63 against. Their point differential came in at +108 points.

The entire Developmental Program finished with a combined record of 20 wins and 2 defeats. Their combined points scored, was 840 with 157 against – giving the program a combined point differential of 683. The numbers tell the complete story, as Coach Horowitz and his staff, placed the foundation, of what indicates a prosperous future, for the Kutztown Rugby Club and the development of its younger players.

RUN WITH THE BEARS!

One of the proud team members is 2011 KU Rugby All-American, Jamie Gregory. Nearly four weeks ago, head football coach, Raymond Monica contacted his very good friend, Doc Jones, head coach of the Kutztown rugby team. Coach Monica asked if the rugby team had any quality kickers and that he was thinking about trying the “rugby style” punt that so many colleges are now using in their arsenal. Jamie Gregory, from Reading England, has never played gridiron football in his young life. However, he can punt a football over fifty yards. After demonstrating this talent on a video, Coach Monica arranged for Jamie to meet all of the NCAA requirements necessary to join the football team. He did so and has been attending football and rugby practice on a daily basis. Jamie is also a member of the championship Kutztown Rugby Sevens team. He is very busy preparing for that national championship tournament, in College Station, Texas on December 16-17.

However, the most exciting news in this story is two-fold. Number one is the respect and admiration that both coaches have for one another and their respective programs – a very rare combination on a college campus, to have football and rugby mix so well. Yet, Kutztown University is a very unique college campus. Where everyone involved in athletics, is totally supportive and aware of all the programs on campus. Secondly, an outstanding international student athlete has an utterly unique college experience that he can tell all his friends and family about back in England. He had traveled here to play rugby but can now add a PSAC and NCAA football experience to his already outstanding resume.

RUN WITH THE BEARS!

The Delaware event was played during severe weather conditions. A cold blustery day with snow, sleet and freezing rain, presented near impossible playing conditions. However, the Golden Bears not only persevered but dominated the competition. The Kutztown squad started the day by defeating Rutgers University 31-5. That would be the only points scored against Kutztown on the day. They went  on to defeat Temple 29-0 and the University of Delaware 24-0 and once again in the finals 26-0. When the final whistle blew, Kutztown had scored 110 points with 5 against. The Golden Bears where led by their two 2011 All-Americans, Captain Tim Acker and forward Jamie Gregory. It was a complete team effort with Bruce Dolan leading the scoring, with five trys on the day.

Not all of the national qualifiers have been completed at the time of this article. However, the teams that have qualified, are as follows : University of Wisconsin, University of Colorado, Texas A&M, Miami of Ohio, North Carolina State, St. Mary’s College (California), Life College (Georgia) Kutztown University, University of Tennessee, Central Washington University, Dartmouth. The at-large bids will be announced within a few weeks. Common sense dictates, the teams that will be chosen, are those that finished second in the qualifying tournaments. However, that remains to be seen.

RUN WITH THE BEARS!

The competition pools were announced today. Kutztown will be in Pool A, Bracket Two, along with UCLA, San Diego University and Brown. The winner of this tournament will qualify for the National Collegiate 7’s Championship being held in Chester, Pennsylvania on June 4 & 5, 2011. The National Collegiate 7’s Tournament will be broadcast live on both days, by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). The Kutztown 7’s team will be comprised of twelve players, selected by the new Kutztown 7’s head coach, Paul Presinzano. After the collegiate competition in Las Vegas, the Kutztown contingency will stay an extra day and attend the International World Series of 7’s. While in attendance, they will reunite with and cheer for Kutztown alum, Marco Barnard. Marco is currently a professional rugby player and an important member of the United States 7’s Team.

John K. Williams

Byron Hayward

These two professional coaches brought cutting edge information to the Kutztown program during their stay. They revitalized and educated not only the players but the entire Kutztown coaching staff with their extensive knowledge and technique. They worked tirelessly and there was an endless conversation concerning rugby each and every day. Coach Hayward not only worked with the entire club but spent “extra’ time with the sevens side, as they prepare for their national collegiate qualifier on October 29, 2011, on the University of Delaware

campus. They not only conducted daily practice sessions but held video sessions and conducted a workshop on skill sets for backs and forwards. It was an amazing experience for the players and coaches, as Kutztown Rugby strives to foster the best rugby culture possible, for their players and their coaches. New York Athletic Club, 32 / Kutztown University,  31.

RUN WITH THE BEARS!