2020-21 KEVIN HIGGINS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT: ANDREW WHITEMAN OF UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

2020-21 KEVIN HIGGINS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

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ANDREW WHITEMAN

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

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Andrew Whiteman has given his all to the sport of rugby, although he credits rugby for giving him back more than he has ever imagined. After finding the game relatively later in his athletic career, he was quick to excel and receive accolades and awards. Most notably he describes the highlight of his rugby career as being a rewarding experience which has provided him with life experiences and values that have shaped him into the young man he is today.

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Whiteman was a three-year starter for the St. Augustine Preparatory School Hermits rugby team, participating in both fall 7s and spring 15s, and serving as a captain for two seasons. He has earned numerous accolades and honors, including a spot on the New Jersey All-State Team of the Year, member of the Rugby New Jersey All-Star Team 7s in 2018, captain of the Rugby New Jersey All-Star Team 15s in 2019, and named Man of the Match during the New Jersey 15s State Championships in 2019.“Andrew possesses a tremendous work ethic. He takes pride in his work and frequently inquires as to how he can excel further. This work ethic can be seen in the classroom, on the pitch, and also on the ice, where Andrew has distinguished himself as an honors student, and a skilled rugby and hockey player,” said Brendan D. Towell, Head Rugby Coach of St. Augustine Preparatory School, “For Andrew, winning hardware is great, but he places a higher premium on developing leadership skills and holding himself to the highest standard.” In addition to his commitments on the pitch and in the classroom, Whiteman was highly involved in philanthropic work in his local community.

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Whiteman spent over 100 hours volunteering at a long-term living facility where he helped provide a sense of comradery and normalcy among patients, and also served as an active mentor to a fourth-grade student for the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City. Whiteman was the vice president of the Arabic club for St. Augustine Preparatory School and a four-year member of the varsity ice hockey team.

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As a result of Andrew’s athletic and academic success, he has earned himself an opportunity to play rugby at the collegiate level for the University of Delaware Blue Hens. He intends to major in political science and minor in Arabic. He has an interest in pursuing a career in real estate, however, describes that he feels most compelled toward career opportunities that will ultimately help him serve a greater purpose and help others around the world.

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Andrew describes rugby as the “gift that keeps on giving” and looks forward to helping the University of Delaware Rugby program continue to flourish into a championship caliber program. His rugby goals include maximizing his playing potential by continuing to learn and refine his skills on the pitch, in addition to growing the sport of rugby in local and surrounding areas. Although the unforeseen circumstances of COVID-19 have altered the traditional practice and preparation format of collegiate rugby, Andrew has transitioned well as a member of the Blue Hens Rugby team. “We have put in place a strength and conditioning program for all players in which Andrew has been actively involved in since the beginning of the semester. In addition to this, he has done his best at improving his scrumming and passing skills as best he can while training on his own,” said Delaware Rugby Head Coach, Stephen Sanchez.