The University of Michigan Rugby Football Club (UMRFC) is a rugby union club at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The UMRFC currently plays in the Big Ten conference at the D1A level, the highest level of collegiate play under National Collegiate Rugby.
The Wolverines largely rely on talent drawn from within the United States; however, foreign students will often add valuable contributions while studying abroad in Ann Arbor. Many players join with little or no previous experience in rugby. Despite this, the UMRFC has won a number of championships and produced several athletes that have gone on to play rugby at a professional level.
According to their Player Handbook, UMRFC's mission is "to develop upstanding student athletes and men through the sport of Rugby. To play the game with inspiration, cultivate a close knit family within the club, and promote commitment, discipline, and respect on and off of the field." Reinforcing these values, the Wolverine's work a variety of community service and charity events.
History The team began as the Michigan Rugby Football Club, founded in 1959. The club was composed of U of M undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and alumni as well as Ann Arbor community members, maintaining this composition for 40 years. In January 2000, the University of Michigan Rugby Football Club was formed and restricted to current undergraduate (and in some cases, graduate) students at U of M.
In-depth club history, including all game results since 1959, can be found at mrugby.com - All players since 1959 can be found in "The Ledger" on the same site.
Club honors Collegiate Rugby Championship Quarterfinalists: 2014, 2015, 2024 Big Ten Champions: 2013 Midwest championship and National Quarter-Finalist: 2007-2008 Midwest Championship and National Semi-Finalist: 2004-2005 Senior Men National Championship: 1995 National Third Place: 1980
Results Full results since 1959
See the current schedule at the team's official website.
+ Fall 2024 Schedule/Results Date Opponent Result Location 8/23/24 Cincinnati W 14-5 Ann Arbor, MI 8/30/24 Bowling Green L 12-47 Bowling Green, OH 9/6/24 Trine W 69-20 Ann Arbor, MI 9/20/24 Notre Dame L 19-31 South Bend, IN 9/28/24 Wisconsin L 12-26 Ann Arbor, MI 10/18/24 Ohio State Columbus, MI 10/25/24 Michigan State Ann Arbor, MI 11/2/24 Big Ten Semis TBD 11/9/24 Big Ten Finals South Bend, IN
Past and current captains and presidents Season Captain Assistant CaptainWinter 2026 Max Nelson/Jack ReganFall 2025 Luke Zana/Max Nelson/Jack ReganWinter 2025 Alex Olsen/Matt Daines/Shea Loughnane/Luke Zana Fall 2024 Alex Olsen/Matt Daines/Shea Loughnane/Luke Zana Winter 2024 Tommy Hendricks Shea Loughnane/Armen Vartanian Fall 2023 Tommy Hendricks Shea Loughnane/Armen Vartanian Winter 2023 George Janke Fall 2022 Braden Loughnane/George Janke Winter 2022 Braden Loughnane/George Janke Fall 2021 Carter Lyon Nathan Feldman Winter 2020 Jack Vecchio Luke Boll Fall 2020 Jack Vecchio Jordan Perez 2019–2020 Tanner Visco Davis Grimm 2018–2019 Jamie Demers Tanner Visco 2017–2018 Justin Malin Ron Marine 2016–2017 Jeremy Reid Zach Burns (Jr.) 2015–2016 Zach Burns (Boo) Cole Van Harn 2014–2015 Joel Conzelmann Sequoyah Burke-Combs 2013–2014 Kenny Andutan Chris Padmos 2012–2013 Michael Lacivita Grady Bridges 2011–2012 James Wilber Matthew Crabtree 2010–2011 Charles Berklich James Wilber 2009–2010 Charles Berklich James Wilber 2008–2009 Aaron Dodd Max Mikulec 2007–2008 Aaron Dodd Jake Leederkerken 2006–2007 Karl Seibert Nick Harris/Dan Kuriluk 2005–2006 Matt Trenary Josh Rubin 2004–2005 Andrew Finn Wes Farrow 2003–2004 Craig Williams 2002–2003 Andrew Marcus Craig Williams 2001–2002 Mike Livanos Andrew Marcus 2000–2001 Mike Livanos Andrew Marcus 1999–2000 Ryan Gaylor 1998–1999 Scott Salamango 1997–1998 Scott Salamango 1996–1997 Scott Salamango 1995–1996 Mike Springs Year President Vice President 2026 Kiyan Jacobs Riley Gauthier 2025 Zachary Small Riley Gauthier 2024 Ryan Grover Luke Zana 2023 James Willcox Timothy Zamarro 2022 Thomas Hendricks Luke Boll 2021 George Janke Braden Loughnane 2020 Jacob Bodner Nick Campbell 2019 Mahmoud El-Naggar Jacob Bodner 2018 Lyric Kleber Jamie Demers 2017 Nate Fisher Justin Malin 2016 Matt Kasten Travis Sawyer 2015 Chening Duker Jackson Wagner 2014 Jared Bosma John Palladino 2013 Ian Etheart CJ Stock 2012 Ian Etheart Karl Boothman 2011 Andrew Swain Michael Lacivita 2010 Oluwatobi Eboda Andrew Swain 2009 Niall O'Kane Matthew Crabtree 2008 Jake Leederkerken Kevin Owens 2007 Eddie Schehr Evan Barclay 2006 Evan Barclay 2005 Brent Barna Matt Russell 2004 Aaron Aragona Josh Rubin 2003 Kurt Sarsfield 2002 Kevin Barlow Wes Farrow 2001 Mike Cavnar Wes Farrow 2000 Aaron Bennett Mike Cavnar 1999 Aaron Bennett Ryan Gaylor 1998 Aaron Bennett Michael Olzevski 1997 Mike Springs Aaron Bennett 1996 Mike Springs 1995 Mike Springs
Notable alumni Sequoyah Burke-Combs - Seattle Seawolves (Major League Rugby) Cole Van Harn - Seattle Seawolves (Major League Rugby) Peter Donnelly - professor of statistical science Harvey Schiller - sports executive Bob Woodruff - television journalist Bert Sugar - boxing journalist
See also College rugby Division 1-A Rugby Michigan RFC
References
External links