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Youth & Development

College Scholarships

Scholarships are open to graduating high school rugby players who are pursuing their rugby career, while continuing their education at the collegiate level. Scholarship recipients are selected by the various Scholarship Committees.

The 2022-23 college scholarship application period is now closed.

Available Scholarships

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The Meg Votta Memorial Scholarship Program

The Meg Votta Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2010 to honor the memory of Margaret “Meg” Votta, who passed away in November 2009 after a valiant battle with ovarian cancer...

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Education Level
High School Senior
Amount
$1,250
Minimum GPA
2.5/4.0
Scholarships Awarded
2.0
Deadline
Date has passed

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The Meg Votta Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in 2010 to honor the memory of Margaret “Meg” Votta, who passed away in November 2009 after a valiant battle with ovarian cancer. The fund was established to provide scholarships for deserving members of the rugby community who have been active players in the local high school programs and to be used for continuing education. Each year, the USRF intends to award Meg Votta Memorial Scholarships to one deserving male and female rugby player. Each Meg Votta Memorial Scholarship will be in the amount of $1,250.Meg graduated from Hamilton College. But her rugby career began as a player for Cornell Women’s Rugby Football Club, which became the Gotham City Women’s RFC and ultimately New York Women’s Rugby (NYRC). She is perhaps the only woman to wear all three jerseys.Criteria: The Meg Votta Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to provide scholarships for deserving members of the rugby community who have been active players in the local high school programs and to be used for continuing education. The Meg Votta Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, demonstrate financial need, plan on attending an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized rugby program, and plan on joining said rugby program in the Fall of 2021. Scholarships are awarded to the male and female who each best express what the game of rugby has meant to them and their plans for furthering their education. This scholarship may be used for tuition, books or fees.

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Kaler Family Rugby Scholarships

The Kaler Family Rugby Scholarship was founded in 2016 by Paul & Sarah Kaler with the mission of helping athletes transition into college rugby...

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Education Level
High School Senior
Amount
$1,500
Minimum GPA
2.5/4.0
Scholarships Awarded
1.0
Deadline
Date has passed

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The Kaler Family Rugby Scholarship was founded in 2016 by Paul & Sarah Kaler with the mission of helping athletes transition into college rugby. Paul began his rugby career in 1990 with River City RFC (Mason City, IA) and through several work promotions his journey took him to the Eastside Banshees (Minneapolis, MN), Wausau Area Rugby (Wausau, WI) and now with the St. Louis Royal Ramblers. Sarah began playing college rugby in 1996 at Wartburg University (Waverly, IA) and was a former club rugby player for Wausau Area Rugby Women (Wausau, WI). Both are avid rugby tourists that travel across the globe to compete at different levels as well as traveling the country to watch their children play. The two have devoted much of their lives promoting youth and amateur rugby across the US and use private donors as well as personal funding to support their scholarships in an effort to give back to a sport they both deeply love. Each year, the USRF intends to award Kaler Family Rugby Scholarships to one deserving male and female rugby player. Each Kaler Family Rugby Scholarship will be in the amount of $1,500.Criteria: Kaler Family Scholarships was established to provide assistance for deserving members of the rugby community who have been active players in high school programs and to be used for continuing education. Kaler Family Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, demonstrate financial need, plan on attending an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized rugby program, and plan on joining said rugby program in the Fall of 2021. Scholarships are awarded to the male and female who best express what the game of rugby has meant to them and their plans for furthering their education. This scholarship may be used for tuition, books or fees.

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William V. Campbell Memorial Scholarship

Named after US Rugby Hall of Famer, the late William “Bill” Campbell, the William V. Campbell Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to the college freshman who demonstrates a prowess on the rugby field and in the classroom...

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Education Level
High School Senior
Amount
$2,500
Minimum GPA
3.75/4.0
Scholarships Awarded
1.0
Deadline
Date has passed

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Named after US Rugby Hall of Famer, the late William “Bill” Campbell, the William V. Campbell Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to the college freshman who demonstrates a prowess on the rugby field and in the classroom. Bill Campbell is a Columbia University grad who was well versed in football and was eventually recruited to the rugby pitch. He co-founded the Columbia University RFC (in 1961) because he understood the impact rugby could make in a community. With the help of other Columbia graduates, Campbell also helped found the renowned Old Blue RFC in New York City in 1963. His vision for Old Blue was to connect Columbia alumni athletes with a combination of championship caliber rugby and camaraderie. He captained and served as president of Old Blue, leading the club to numerous 15s and 7s championships over many years. His impact on Old Blue and U.S.A. rugby extends far beyond the pitch. Campbell was a passionate philanthropist within the rugby community, funding resources for Old Blue, Columbia, and U.S.A. Rugby. Campbell is remembered and celebrated for both his brawn and brains; a dynamic rugger and a highly regarded Silicon Valley executive.Criteria: The William V. Campbell Memorial Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors. Applicants must have a minimum 3.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale, plan on attending an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized rugby program, and plan on joining said rugby program in the Fall of 2022. The applicant’s character, recommendations, community work, school extracurricular activity, rugby potential and personal statement will also be considered in the selection process. This $2,500 scholarship may be used for tuition, books or fees.

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Terry O'Reilly Memorial Scholarship Program

Terry O’Reilly was a passionate rugby player and supporter throughout his life...

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Education Level
High School Senior
Amount
$2,500
Minimum GPA
3.0/4.0
Scholarships Awarded
1.0
Deadline
Date has passed

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Terry O’Reilly was a passionate rugby player and supporter throughout his life. Born in Farnborough, England, he played for St. Anselm’s College in Birkenhead before he emigrated to America when he was 16. Growing up in Los Angeles, he continued to play rugby for Loyola Marymount. Spurning a career in television to continue his on-field play, he chose a legal career through a stint at Boalt Law School at Berkeley, where he played rugby for Cal. Following law school, he continued to play for several club teams, including the Bay Area Touring Side (“BATS”), the Old Blues of Berkeley, and the San Jose Silverhawks.Following his 25 years of active play, Terry was extremely active in supporting the Northern California Rugby Football Union and Cal rugby. He was a Trustee of the U.S. Rugby Foundation from 1993 to his death in 2015. He was dedicated to making rugby as popular a sport in the United States as it is in most of the world.Criteria: The Terry O’Reilly Memorial Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, demonstrate financial need, plan on attending an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized rugby program, and plan on joining said rugby program in the Fall of 2021. The applicant’s character, recommendations, community work, school extracurricular activity, rugby potential and personal statement will also be considered in the selection process. This scholarship may be used for tuition, books or fees.

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Richard A. Donelli Memorial Scholarship

The Richard A. Donelli College Scholarship was created to honor one of the most dominating players...

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Education Level
High School Senior
Amount
$1,000
Minimum GPA
3.0/4.0
Scholarships Awarded
1.0
Deadline
Date has passed

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The Richard A. Donelli College Scholarship was created to honor one of the most dominating players. A former starting quarterback for Columbia University, Dick Donelli co-founded the Old Blue Rugby Football Club in 1961. A physically dominating scrumhalf, Donelli was legendary for his athleticism, technical passing skills and competitive nature. In 1972, Donelli captained the Met New York All-Stars against the New Zealand All-Blacks in a 40-10 defeat. Dick later coached the Old Blue RFC to four final four appearances from 1979-1986. Each year, the United States Rugby Foundation awards a scholarship to a collegiate player, male or female, within reasonable proximity to the New York Metropolitan area before or after graduation. The scholarship is in the amount of $1,000 and is awarded at the Old Blue Annual Hall of Fame Dinner.Criteria: A Richard A. Donelli Memorial Scholarship could also be open to a graduating high school senior if there is not a qualified applicant from the junior & senior collegiate level. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, demonstrate financial need, and attend an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized rugby program. The applicant’s character, recommendations, community work, school extracurricular activity, rugby potential and personal statement will also be considered in the selection process. This scholarship may be used for tuition, books or fees.

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The Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Program

To honor one of the most prolific players to ever pull on a United States Eagles jersey, the United States Rugby Foundation is pleased to announce the Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Program...

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Education Level
High School Senior
Amount
$1,000
Minimum GPA
2.5/4.0
Scholarships Awarded
10.0
Deadline
Date has passed

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To honor one of the most prolific players to ever pull on a United States Eagles jersey, the United States Rugby Foundation is pleased to announce the Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Program. A dashing number 13 who could play a rugged 12 and also outpace most on the wing. Kevin “Higgy” Higgins 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.The United States Rugby Foundation will award up to 10, $1,000 Kevin Higgins College Scholarships to deserving high school seniors who go on to play rugby in college. These independent scholarships are open to all graduating high school rugby players in the U.S. who will be pursuing their rugby careers while continuing their education at the collegiate level.Criteria: The Kevin Higgins College Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, plan on attending an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized rugby program, and plan on joining said rugby program in the Fall of 2021. The applicant’s character, recommendations, community work, school extracurricular activity, rugby potential and personal statement will also be considered in the selection process. This scholarship may be used for tuition, books or fees.

Our Impact

Scholarship Recipients

Alyssa Cunningham
2021
Amelia Dellamano
2021
Austin Felt
2021
Brett Krenke
2021
Devon Roosna
2021
Elijah Palmer
2021
Israel Martinez
2021
Jakai Bailey
2021
Micky O’Leary
2021
Philip Tracey
2021
Andrew Whiteman
2020
Angelina Niu
2020
Anthony Richardson
2020
Brett Dowgiewicz
2020
Danielle McFall
2020
Jake Broselle
2020
Jayla Hampton
2020
Joshua Vargas
2020
Lyric Greenhill-Casados
2020
Zoë DeMassa
2020
Audra Fabrizio
2019
Avalua Lafitaga
2019
Collin Willsey
2019
David Starnes
2019
Haley Andreasen
2019
Jack Marchant
2019
Jackson Zabierek
2019
King Matu
2019
Max Schumacher
2019
PJ O’Reilly
2019
Adrionna Duncan
2018
Autumn LoCicero
2018
Braeden Looper
2018
Cassidy Bargell
2018
Ethan McVeigh
2018
Jack Tessier
2018
Jacob Jenkins
2018
Julia Smith
2018
Kobie Tuckson
2018
Michael Nettleton
2018
Charity Tenney
2017
Denecia Fernandes
2017
Emma Conrad
2017
Jonathon Hackett
2017
Labikoi Larbi
2017
Loren Lewis
2017
Nicholas Snyder
2017
Patrick Madden
2017
Vicente Rivas
2017
Andrew Baldado
2016
Becca Jane Rosko
2016
Christopher Costa
2016
Dante Lopresti
2016
Hannah Beagley
2016
Kyle Patmore
2016
Malik Hearon
2016
Martin Keuchkerian
2016
Megan Rose
2016
Ryan Maxfield
2016
Aaron Earlywine
2015
Brandon Holmes
2015
Grace Jacobsen
2015
Griffin Moesner
2015
Hannah Sample
2015
Ian Crilly
2015
Nick Yostel
2015
Owen Skonecki
2015
Sam Ciancutti
2015
Steve Branham
2015
Amy Plambeck
2014
Brandon Puccini
2014
Brendan Murphy
2014
Courtney Bridges
2014
Domonique Bellinger
2014
Elona Williams
2014
Liam Wynne
2014
Olivia Fiatoa
2014
Reed Heynen
2014
Tanner Pope
2014
Azjah Long
2013
Ceara Sammon
2013
Connor Kissler
2013
Corinne Heavner
2013
Danica Alley
2013
Daniel Hardiman
2013
Dawit Workie
2013
Eileen Lieb
2013
Lindsey Wise
2013
Matt Long
2013
Mitch Olney
2013
Alex Vogt
2012
Austin Wortley
2012
Bradley Roberts
2012
Dallas Frye
2012
Jake Hoffman
2012
James Kondrat
2012
Katie Mueller
2012
Michael Sullivan
2012
Taylor Honnette
2012
Tyler Graham
2012
Luke Malanga
2021
Ava Denner
2020
Joshua Lesley
2019
Jacob Jenkins
2018
Justin Petersen
2017
Owen Duvall
2016
Kalisi Po’oi
2021
Luke Misleh
2021
Anna Bender
2020
Dylan Lewis
2020
Megan Reed
2019
Nick Lapponese
2019
Emmet “Ash” Mallach
2021
Kobie Tuckson
2020
Mark Blum
2019
Sean Lumkong
2017
Tom St. Pierre
2016
Katherine Ramage
2015
Denise Zambon Ragalado
2014
Thomas Curran
2021
Ellie Villnow
2021
Erron Hubbard
2021