James Rose
2026
Prusmack Award
Inductee
For James Rose, rugby has been part of life for as long as he can remember. A Green Bay, Wisconsin native, he grew up in the game his father played and coached, starting out in flag rugby with Green Bay Youth Rugby before moving up to middle school tackle. What began as following in his father's footsteps became a lifelong love of the sport.
At the high school level, James played for the Leprechauns, the team his father coached. He captained the side for two years and helped lead the program to the state tournament four years in a row. He was a multi-sport athlete off the pitch as well, wrestling for more than eight years and winning a team state title, and earning his Greenhand award through FFA.
James built his resume in the representative game. He captained the Wisconsin Badger selects, gaining exposure across both 7s and 15s tournaments, and played 7s with the Rebels, winning NAIs and Bloodfest. He spent two consecutive years with the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy (EIRA), touring against Portugal and Spain, and represented the United States at the U18 Global Youth 7s tournament in New Zealand. A versatile back, he has played scrum half, fly half, fullback, wing, and center.
Now at Life University, where he is pursuing a degree in exercise science, James has made an immediate impact with the Running Eagles. A standout on the wing as a freshman, he was explosive at the CRAA 7s finals in his sophomore season, leading the team in tries and helping carry Life to a championship.
James has given back to the game throughout his journey, coaching flag rugby since the 8th grade and taking part in community service through the Green Bay rugby club. EIRA director Salty Thompson praised his character and maturity, noting that James is a genuine, humble young man who worked two jobs one summer to pay for rugby and save for college, and who pays his own way through school.
Looking ahead, James's goals are clear: to become an Eagle and represent the United States in 2028, to win a national championship at Life University, and to play in MLR or PR7s. Further down the road, he hopes to become a coach and give back to the next generation of players.