Men’s rugby team wins national championship
The Longwood men’s rugby team won the national championship for its division on May 1, 2011. The squad captured the national title in Men’s College Division III of USA Rugby by defeating Occidental College of California, 36-27, in Virginia Beach.
Longwood men’s rugby team and fans after the national championship
Rugby is a club sport at Longwood. The 2010-11 team was one of 138 from across the country competing at this level, which has no connection with Division III in NCAA-sanctioned intercollegiate athletics. Longwood defeated Salve Regina University, which was ranked No. 1, to get to the championship game.
Undefeated during the regular fall season, Longwood first won the state championship in November 2010, then won the regional championship in March 2011, which led to a berth in the national championship tournament.
The most valuable player of the national tournament was Longwood freshman Ben Smith. Longwood professor Dr. John Graham coached the team.
