Navy Rugby Alumni Association News
-Trajectory Bending Moves
Ruggers past and present,
Since the formation of NRAA, I have been especially grateful to contribute to the development of our Alumni Association and our Navy Rugby program. I am beyond humbled by the opportunity to be your President and build on the exceptional progress we've made thus far. Further, we are anxious to see what we can do with strong numbers and more involvement. To that end, with the authority, responsibility, and accountability that comes with leading this team, we will endeavor to make you proud. More specifically, we will be laser focused on 3 strategic interests
1) Building our Alumni Membership and Network. Remember? The Might of The Chain
2) Leveraging our Capacity to Contribute. Remember? "With You"
3) Unlocking our Philanthropic Potential. Remember? Strength in Numbers...
All of us are stronger than one of us. To these endeavors we commit ourselves, and by doing so, we commit ourselves to the men and women of Navy Rugby...yesterday, today, and tomorrow. With you & Vr, NRAA President
-2025 “With You” Dinner Message to USNA Rugby Alumni
NRAA Recognizes Mr. Chet Gladchuk, USNA Athletic Director 2001-2025, with inductuction into the Navy Rugby Hall of Fame.
Mr. Chet Gladchuk, originally from Massachusetts, lettered in football at Boston College University, graduated with honors and subsequently earned a master’s degree in sports administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Mr. Gladchuk took over as the USNA Athletic Director (AD) in 2001 after tenures as AD at Tulane, Boston College and the University of Houston. Mr. Gladchuk’s 24 year tenure at Navy took Navy sports to new heights at both the varsity and club sports levels. His many accomplishments included: adding 6 varsity sports (including rugby) bringing the total to 36 varsity sports which tied for the most at any FBS university; helped transition Navy football to the American Athletic Conference in 2015; Navy athletic dominance in the Patriot League winning 10 consecutive President’s Cup titles and consistently finishing either first or second for 17 years; dominated the N-Star rivalry with Army winning the series 21 times in 23 years. Mr. Gladchuk’s exceptional leadership and dedication to college athletics has ben nationally recognized as the recipient of the John L. Toner Award from the National Football Foundation for outstanding dedication to college athletics, and the Bobby Dodd Athletic Director of the Year Award. Through his support and partnership with the Navy Rugby Alumni Association and hiring a world class Navy Rugby coaching staff, the vision of a prominent dedicated rugby facility became a reality as the Prusmack Rugby Complex opened in 2016. Additionally, Mr. Gladchuk recognized the outstanding contributions that both the men’s and women’s Navy Rugby teams make in supporting the Naval Academy’s mission “to graduate leaders dedicated to a career of naval service with the potential for future development to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government”. Mr. Gladchuk established the framework for men’s and women’s Navy Rugby to become varsity sports and was present when Navy won the men’s 2023 National Championship in it’s first year as a varsity program!
-NRAA celebrates 30 years of women’s Navy Rugby 1995-2025!
-NRAA Legacy Leaders:
This is the first salvo of many that we hope will build a connection with our scholar warriors headed to the FLEET. Dennis Volpe ('96), Executive Performance and Transition Coach, Severn River Leadership Group, LLC, a rugger skilled in the art of executive coaching and professional development, has volunteered to lead our Legacy Leaders Program. As you may recall, we've recently established this program as a vehicle to (1) Create and sustain a connection with graduating Firsties and rising Midn to mentor and develop our rising leaders; and (2) Connect Alumni to Alumni for professional support, mentoring, and networking. Jack McAuliffe ('15) will be assisting Dennis in this endeavor. The initial moves relate to our Class of 2025 service selectees and how we'll do more to connect with them ahead of joining the FLEET.
With you & Vr, NRAA President
-Class Captains: NRAA Class Representative Program:
Greetings All - Rick "Pokey" Keller, class of 81' coordinating our Class Captain efforts as we look to take the next steps toward continued Navy Rugby Excellence. I am reaching out to men and women Navy Rugby Alumni asking for volunteers to act as the "Class Captain" for your class. We are looking for someone in each class to help rekindle the enthusiasm we all had as classmates/teammates and use that to get behind our current Navy Rugby programs. As the Class Captain you will be a conduit to your classmates amplifying messaging, helping ensure that we have as complete a roster of alumni as possible, and tailoring information to your class and their particular situations among other things. Contact me direct with questions if needed: pokey.keller@gmail.com / 256-558-0235
CLASS CAPTAIN LINK UP SUMMARY - 27 May 2025
-Highlighted the role Class Captains play in ensuring that each class roster is complete and up to date and that Class Captains are the focal point for class involvement in supporting Navy Rugby across the board (Fundraising, volunteering, general support, etc.).
-Emphasized that NRAA is for all Navy Rugby - both Men's and Women's - and a strong point for us... Mentioned plans for recognizing Women's program founding anniversary at this years HoF dinner.
-Shared NRAA Vision documents for our support to Navy Rugby and continued growth of the Alumni Association.
With you and VR, Pokey ‘81
UPDATE (4/11/2025): Still need Class Captain volunteers for the following classes/teams, Thanks!:
Men's - ‘67, ‘68, ‘72, ‘73, ‘04, ‘08,
Women's - ‘02, ‘05, ‘06, ‘12, ‘13, ‘14, ‘17, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24, ‘25
Sincere Appreciation to those that have volunteered: BEAT ARMY!
1963-Ernest Blake 1964-Ernest Blake 1965-John Fyfe 1966-Andre Simonpietri 1967- 1968- 1969-Thomas Meteer
1970-Michael Knudsen 1971-John Cherry 1972- 1973- 1974-Rusty Kollmorgen 1975-Michael Langley 1976-Frederick Yarger
1977-Jim Bethmann 1978-John Wissler 1979-Peter Long 1980-Richard Carlquist 1981-John Burke 1981-Patrick Keller
1982-Matthew Aylward 1983-Mike Coughlin 1984-Randy King 1985-Marty Migliori 1986-JT Young 1987-Joe Buenavista
1988-Bob Strong 1989-Rob Cassady 1990-Rob Garretson 1991-Christian Bonat 1992-John Tarzon 1993-Brandon Lewis
1994-Jason Hedberg 1995-Daniel Morris 1996M-Sean Donovan 1996W- Jen Goddard 1997 M-Daniel Freedman
1997W-Nikki Peoples 1998M-John Maguire 1998W-Ashley Sullivan 1999M-Pat O'Mahoney 1999W-Sarah Jansen
2000M-Devin Smiley 2000W-Lindsay Hawkins 2001M-Seth Stegmaier 2001W-Kathy Borkoski 2002M-Rob Stimis 2002W- 2003M-Ryan Curry 2003W-Aileen Kenney 2004M- 2004W-Bridget Seymour 2005M-Nick Ralston 2005W- 2006M-Mac Marrone 2006W- 2007M-Lindsay Blake 2007W-Catherine Long 2008M- 2008W-Sasha Frankhouser 2009M-Patrick Wheatley
2009W-Marianne Carlson 2010M-Kyle Millerd 2010W-Danielle Cicuto 2011M-Sean Rohrs 2011W-Jennifer Sandifer
2012M-Michael Bressler 2012W- 2013M-Matthew Kelley 2013W 2014M-Broderick Neel-Feller 2014W- 2015M-John McAuliffe 2015W-Hailey Brunette 2016M-Henry Dewing 2016W-Samantha Casey 2017M-Jake Martin 2017W- 2018M-Gardy Lebon
2018 M-Ben Johnston 2018W-Liz Pitman 2019M-Cole Euverard 2019W-Sidney Knipple 2020M-Bo Kendrick-Holmes
2020W-Robyn Roper 2021M-Dallas Elliston 2021W-Kayla Ann Eshleman 2022M-Eddie Howell 2022W- 2023M-Connor Bradisch 2023W- 2024M-James Downing 2024W- 2025M-Ryan Hotaling 2025W-
-US Naval Academy Letter Winners Association: Honoring all varsity and club athletes:
If you played A or B side rugby before USNA issued letters/sweaters or need a replacement here is the link to the Navy Lettermen's Association to obtain one. The Letter Winners Association is working hard to finalize our rosters but needs input from the class captains in some cases. From the website:
Lost or Damaged Letter Sweater? No Problem!
The Navy Letterwinners Association is happy to offer a letter sweater replacement program for verified letterwinners. For more information, visit our letter sweater page on our website at the link below.
Be ready to show off your letter sweater at your next alumni gathering!
-A great podcast interview with Coach Gavin Hickie, Director of Navy Rugby, covering rugby life at Navy, the legacy of the program, training techniques, and the road ahead!
NAVY RUGBY 2025-2026
-Navy Men’s Rugby 2025-2026: 5-0
Aug 30: Navy-29 Royal Navy Rugby Union-7 at Annapolis (exhibition)
Sep 6: Navy-50 Queens-14 at Annapolis
"Defensively, besides the two tries, we were solid throughout the entire day," said Navy Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie. "We played the right areas of the pitch, our defense was 100 percent and outstanding and our scrum defensively did really well. I have to tip my hat to Roanin [Krieger] who was outstanding yet again.”
Sep 13: Navy-65 Mary Washington-3 at Annapolis
"The journey of this year's team is really exciting because we're seeing signs of significant improvements in certain areas," said Navy Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie. "We are starting fast in both halves'. Our defense is overall pretty special this year, particularly in terms of our connection and line speed. To only give up three points that came on a penalty, we'll give that up all day. This was a very good win to begin the Rugby East schedule and I am proud of the team in the first conference game of the season"
Sep 27: Navy-59 Mount St Mary’s MD-19 at Annapolis
"We play 80 minutes of rugby and at that 80th minute we expect to be ahead of you," said Navy director of rugby Gavin Hickie. "We're content to drag you into a conditioning game and if we put up 49 points to their three, we're content with that."
Oct 4: Navy-29 Life University-21 at Annapolis
"The outcome was absolutely phenomenal after we were able to walk away with bonus points, while holding Life with no points in the conference standings and we're in the driver's seat now," said Navy Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie. "There was something about these men this week where I was more nervous for this game than they were. They have been so calm and confident at the task at hand. They have been impressive all week and that's what led to the victory today."
Oct 25: Navy vs Penn State at University Park PA 1700
Nov 8: Navy vs Air Force at Annapolis 1200
Nov 15 Navy vs Army at West Point NY (TBD)
-Navy Women’s Rugby 2025-2026: 3-3
Aug 29: Navy-58 Queens-7 at Charlotte NC
"It was a great team effort tonight in Charlotte. The team worked hard during the preseason and that showed," said head coach Murph McCarthy. "Our defense has grown from last year to this year and our attack was impressive in breaking off big chunks. It was nice to come away with a win to kick off the season."
Sep 6: Navy-7 Dartmouth-52 at Annapolis
"I thought the girls played really good rugby. They were fighting from the first minute to the 80th," said head coach Murph McCarthy. "Dartmouth is a very strong team. They've been the runner-up in the conference for two-straight seasons and went undefeated in the regular season last year. I felt like we played them very tight. I'm very proud of the way the girls played today."
Sep 13: Navy-17 Lindenwood-64 at St Charles MO
"That was a very talented Lindenwood team that we faced today. They were big, fast, and physical," said Navy head coach Murph McCarthy. "This was a big task coming into their place and we fought hard for 80 minutes. I am proud of the grit that we showed today."
Sep 20: Navy-31 Long Island University-14 at Annapolis
"It was an awesome performance today by these ladies," said Navy head coach Murph McCarthy. "We had a really good week of practice after a tough two weeks against quality opponents and we were excited to face Long Island. The first half was definitely a battle, but we went into halftime with some adjustments that we wanted to make and we and we executed those adjustments in the second half and shut them out."
Sep 27: Navy-78 Princeton-5 at Princeton NJ
"We had a strong performance today and I was pleased with how well we played on both the attack and on defense," said Navy head coach Murph McCarthy. "Our kicking game has improved as the season has progressed and it was great today."
Oct 11: Navy-10 Quinnipiac-29 at Annapolis
"Our defense showed strength at key moments and I'm proud of how we battled as a team, especially playing down a player due to yellow cards," said Navy head coach Murph McCarthy. "Quinnipiac is a strong opponent and we can't afford to be down two yellow cards against a team of that caliber. We came in aiming for a win, but this group is improving every week and we're closing the gap quickly."
Oct 17: Navy vs Wheeling at Wheeling WV (1900)
Oct 25: Navy vs Army at West Point NY (TBD)
Nov 1: Navy vs Penn St at Annapolis (TBD)
(Go to our website Links page and select Navy Sports for the latest information on Men’s and Women’s Navy Rugby schedules, rosters and news!! Go Navy Ruggers!)
Men’s College Rugby rankings:
-No current rankings
1)Navy 2)Cal Berkley 3)Life 4) Lindenwood 5)St Mary’s (CA) 6)Army 7)BYU
1)Cal Berkley 2)Navy 3)Life 4)Lindenwood 5)Brown 6) St Mary’s (CA)
7)St Thomas
Women’s College Rugby Rankings:
1)Harvard 2)Lindenwood 3)Dartmouth 4)Sacred Heart 5)Army 6)Navy
Navy Rugby National Powers
(Reference: Wikipedia-
Men’s National Invitational Tournament (1972-1979) : 1972 2nd
Men’s USA Rugby D1A National Collegiate Championship Tournament (4 team final bracket) : 1980 4th; 1983 3rd; 1994 2nd; 1996 4th; 1998 3rd; 1999 3rd; 2001 3rd; 2004 3rd; 2005 3rd; 2007 3rd; 2023 1st; 2024 2nd
Women’s USA Rugby Div 1 Club National Collegiate Championship Tournament: 2019 (fall) 2nd; 2022 (fall) 1st ; 2023 (fall) 1st
This is now the Navy Rugby Alumni Association website.
Rugby players interested in attending the Naval Academy and playing varsity rugby, please visit the Naval Academy Athletics websites below for detailed team, schedule and recruit information.
THANK YOU TO OUR VARSITY PROGRAM DONORS!
In special recognition of those donors who supported the final varsity rugby campaign between August 1st, 2021 and March 15th, 2022. Click the DONOR button to view the individuals that supported this effort.