Tennessee Tech rugby qualifies for first-ever national championship tournament
Tennessee Tech’s men’s rugby club is pictured at the Bluff City 7s Challenge on March
29 in Memphis. The club’s win at the tournament has secured their first-ever bid to
the National Championship, held April 25-27 in Boyds, Md.
Tennessee Tech University’s rugby club has earned a bid to the upcoming Collegiate
Rugby National Championship tournament, held April 25-27 in Boyds, Md. It marks Tech’s
first-ever entry to a national rugby championship tournament since the club’s founding
in 1977.
Tech’s hard-fought bid came after the club’s win at the Bluff City 7s Challenge, held
March 29 in Memphis’s McBride Ruby Field in Tobey Park.
There, Tech battled through persistent rain and a muddy field, overcoming a 14-point
deficit against the University of Mississippi, staging another comeback win over DePaul
University and securing a shutout victory over Mississippi State University in the
semifinals. That set the stage for a dramatic tournament final, where an overtime
win secured redemption for Tech after a 77-10 loss to Memphis last season. The Golden
Eagles Rugby team claimed the championship with a hard-fought victory.
Tech sophomore Lane Travis led the scoring throughout the tournament with seven tries,
including the game-winner in overtime on an 80-meter run. Todd Harris added five tries,
while Troy Glecker contributed a key score in the title match. On defense, PJ Truax,
in his first-ever rugby game, stood out with mistake-free tackling. All four were
named to the All-Tournament Team for their exceptional performances.
Tennessee Tech’s men’s rugby is a division II club recognized by National Collegiate
Rugby and is part of the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference. The club is led
by Head Coach Siaosi "Mo" Moleni.
Tech Rugby established a GoFundMe to help defray travel costs for the upcoming championship.
Learn more about the club on their Facebook page.