USRF Announces 2009 Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Recipients

San Diego, CA (October 20, 2009) – The USRF has announced the winners of the 2009 Kevin Higgins College Scholarships. The $1,000 scholarships, named in honor of one of the all-time great U.S. centers (pictured), are awarded to graduating high school seniors who have gone on to continue their education and rugby at the university level.This year’s recipients are:Jack White was a two-wtime MVP for his rugby team. He was also a League MVP and All-State honorbale mention quarterback as well as a 1st Team All-League punter. He was an All-City wrestler. He was the Salutatorian of his class with a 4.59 GPA. He won a cash prize for his volunteer work and donated the money right back to the cause. Read more about Jack White.Miranda Miller is one of those players that every club needs. Unheralded, yet a solid performer and leader both on and off the field, she was a co-captain of her team as a junior and senior. She held several positions within the club including the post of president for two years. She volunteered for several “green” initiatives, all while keeping a 4.1 GPA. Read more about Miranda Miller.Ryan Bachman has only been playing rugby for about three years but is already making a name for himself. He was named the MVP of his Alliance Rugby U19 team this past year, leading his team to the Texas State U19 Championship title. He is the team’s VP of Equipment and also helps coach the Alliance U10 and U12s. Ryan also obtained his Eagle Scout Rank from Boy Scouts of America. Read more about Ryan Bachman.Seamus Kelly was a star running back on the Xavier High School football team, earning MVP honors while scoring 44 touchdowns and rushing for more than 2,500 yards. He was also the MVP of his rugby team, scoring 27 tries to go along with stalwart defense, earning accolades across the country as one of the nation’s top high school players. Read more about Seamus Kelly. Amanda Pohle helped start her high school team when she was just a sophomore and within three years led her team to a Midwest Division II championship. Her leadership abilities extend beyond the touchline as she’s active in several church, school and community projects. All while maintaing a 4.4 GPA. Read more about Amanda Pohle.Bryan Kean began his rugby career when a freshman in high school. He not only attended just about every one of his team’s training sessions for four years but also attended every practice the local men’s club had. He couldn’t get enough rugby and even formed 7s and 10s teams so he could play in the summer. Bryan also find time to volunteer for those less fortunate and also helped out with his sister’s athletic teams. Read more about Bryan Kean.Keegan Downey was introduced to rugby his freshman year at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC. That same year he was also diagnosed with dyslexia. Since then he has worked hard to improve himself on the pitch and in the classroom. He cracked the starting lineup his junior year and made several Potomac Rugby Union teams. He also tutored underprivileged children in Gonzaga’s reading program and volunteered at a local soup kitchen for four years. Read more about Keegan Downey.“Deciding on those players to receive scholarships continues to be a very difficult task for the selection committee,” said USRF Executive Director Brian Vizard. “Every application we receive is from a deserving young man or woman and all of them would be worthy of receiving Higgy Awards. I wish we had the funds to award every applicant a scholarship but unfortunately, we just can’t do that at this time.The USRF would like to congratulate its 2009 recipients of the Kevin Higgins College Scholarships.