Kutztown Rugby

KUTZTOWN OVER RUTGERS

Administrator — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:28:22 +0000

In what would be the final game of the 2012 season, Kutztown hosted Rutgers University. It was a warm spring day – plenty of sunshine and blue skies. A large out pouring of fans and supporters lined the banks of the Luckenbill Avenue rugby pitch. Rutgers is always a physical side with excellent mauling forwards and an improved back-line attack. Rutgers hadn’t broken into the victory column as of yet but played all of the Eastern conference teams with tenacity. Kutztown was entering this game with some intrepidness after last year’s experience in New Brunswick. Rutgers was not to be taken lightly.

The coaching staff emphasized that point every night in practice and at the team breakfast on game day. The game plan was very simple, stay away from the Rutgers forwards and spin the ball as wide as possible, as quick as possible. The Golden Bears were ready and appeared calm and focused at the kick-off. Rutgers received the ball and proceeded to march directly up the field and at the two and a half minute mark, kicked a thirty yard penalty kick to jump into the lead. One more thing to consider, they had an excellent kicker. RU 3 KU 0. The Kutztown side didn’t seem fazed by the situation and were organized on the ensuing attack. At the five minute mark, scrum-half Andrew Abt slid into the try zone and Devon Somma converted. KU 7 RU 3. There was a Rutgers turnover and within ninety seconds, the ball was touched down by Kutztown’s fullback, Gareth Lourens. Somma converted. KU 14 RU 3.

It was in the space of three more minutes and Kutztown’s possession was going wide once again. Three backs turned the corner and raced down the side line with Gareth Lourens scoring once again.

Somma converted from the side line and it was suddenly KU 21 RU 3. The rest of the first half saw Kutztown’s defense swarm over Rutgers. On the offensive side of the ball, Kutztown’s forwards took over the show. Three trys were scored, one each, by Jamie Gregory, Mike Lawrenson and Zack Jessell. Devon Somma converted every try. The half time whistle blew and the scoreboard read KU 40 RU 3.

The second half found Kutztown pressuring the Scarlet Knights on both sides of the ball. Kutztown was creating all of their own opportunities with organized attacks and massive defense. The coaching staff used all of their reserves during the second half of the match. In the process, Kutztown scored eight trys in the second half with five conversions. Jamie Gregory, Mike Lawrenson and Zack Jessell each scored a hat trick on the day. Rutgers scored a late try and the final tally stood at KU 90 RU 10. Rutgers is stocked with excellent rugby players and the final score is not indicative of how well they can play the game. On this day, the Scarlet Knights experienced a sporting oddity. That being, a very talented Kutztown team, playing an organized, structured game that they are capable of playing – a situation that every team strives for but seldom, if ever, achieves. RUN WITH THE BEARS !

KUTZTOWN BATTLES PENN STATE

Administrator — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:29:33 +0000

It’s been the highlight match of the year, for several years now. It is one of the best college rugby games you will ever have the pleasure of witnessing. The results have been fairly even with the intensity and skill levels being superb. This year was no exception and the best rugby ever played between these two powerhouse squads, was played on April 14, 2012. Like most D1-A regular season matches, it was for all the marbles. No matter how you sliced it, the winner was moving on to the play-offs and the loser was cleaning their golf clubs. Neither team had the luxury of looking ahead to their next opponent. It was only about today. Each side was stocked with collegiate Mid Atlantic all-stars and All-Americans. All total, eleven of them played together on the same Mid-Atlantic All Star side, last summer. They know each other, on and off the field. They also have a great deal of respect for each other and their rugby pedigree. Then there was the X factor. Kutztown’s starting scrum-half, Andrew Abt had received a red card in the previous game with Delaware. The next in line, Dan Callahan, inherited the keys to the kingdom. Dan is an excellent scrum-half in his junior year at Kutztown. He diligently learned his trade and his chance had arrived.The anticipation of the athletes and fans was reaching a crescendo when the clock struck one o’clock and Joe Baker kicked off for the Nittany Lions. Kutztown immediately shocked the home crowd when Gareth Lourens broke clear down the sidelines and raced sixty yards before off loading to Bob Stortz in support. Stortz gained another ten yards when pulled down by a desperation tackle that prevented a try. The two teams spent the next ten minutes probing one another’s defense. Each team testing the other with punishing forward drives and quick back line maneuvers. The ice was finally broken when Kutztown’s Devon Somma slotted a thirty yard penalty kick, to open up the scoring. However, two minutes later, in what would be indicative of both teams during this contest, Penn State surged up the field with several quick rucks and All-American scrum-half, Chris Saint, scooted into the end zone for a try. PSU 5 KU 3. Kutztown is always dangerous when inside the opposition’s half of the field, due to the cannon attached to Devon Somma’s right leg. Once again he made a team pay for their erroneous ways and Kutztown took the lead. KU 6 PSU 5.

Penn State rallied once again and with their massive forwards running slow ball from numerous rucks near the try line, smashed across for the score. The conversion was wide and the scoreboard read PSU 10 KU 6. Penn State had momentum and organized another try and conversion off a long sprint by their explosive number eight, Mike Erickson. PSU 17 KU 6. Just when the tide had shifted toward the blue and white of Penn State, Kutztown pinned their ears back and within two minutes, All-American Jamie Gregory was touching down for Kutztown. In an impressive show of power and savvy, the Kutztown forwards, led by Mike Lawrenson, marched through the Penn State red zone with authority. PSU 17 KU 11. One minute later, out of nowhere, Kutztown’s freshmen center, Robert Stortz, intercepted a Penn State pass and raced eighty yards untouched, to dot down under the posts. Somma converts and all of a sudden, it is KU 18 PSU 17. The first half ends a few moments later and there is a temporary break in the action while everyone catches their breath. The action on the field has been non-stop power, at break neck speed.

The second stanza starts off with the handbrake released. Penn State’s fly-half shows why he is respected throughout the league, as he cuts inside the sliding defense and races twenty five yards for the score. The Penn State fullback, Joe Baker, converts and Penn State takes the lead. PSU 24 KU 18. The Golden Bears are industrious once again. Their forward pack is moving the ball and only five minutes pass, when loose head prop Zack Jessell, finds pay dirt in the corner of the try zone. A missed conversion leaves the score, PSU 24 KU 23 . The ensuing segment of the game finds each team exchanging territory with authority. The work rate of both teams, never falters. The Kutztown defense has a mental lapse and overruns the Penn State attackers in mid-field. It is obvious where the ball carrier is directed. When the inside gap opens up, he cuts inside to gallop under the posts. The conversion is good and the Penn State fly-half has his second try of the day. PSU 31 KU 23. Ten minutes later, Kutztown is penalized for a rucking infringement. The ever dangerous Joe Baker slots the penalty kick from twenty yards out. PSU 34 KU 23. The action continues and both teams have possession deep inside the opposition’s territory but fail to capitalize when it counts. Kutztown has a handling error and Penn State uses the turnover to their advantage. Penn State scrum-half Chris Saint directs the charge and the Nittany Lions surge into a convincing lead, with another try and conversion. PSU 41 KU 23. With only ten minutes left in the game, it looked bleak for the Golden Bears. The only problem is, no one told the Golden Bears. They received the restart kick-off, only to make one line break after another. In what seemed like the blink of an eye but was really three minutes, the Bears score and convert. PSU 41 KU 30. After the restart, Kutztown took possession on a Penn State turnover. Kutztown’s Dan Callahan directed the attack, as the back line found gaps and their forwards methodically worked their way to the Penn State try line. With two minutes left in the match, Kutztown freshman and high school All-American, Cap Huizenga, carried the rock into the end zone. Somma was on target, conversion good. PSU 41 KU 37. There was still time left on the clock. Kutztown needed to acquire possession after the restart. Penn State received the kick-off and kept the ball in their forwards. After a few slow ball rucks and the clock winding down, they kicked the ball out of bounds. The final whistle blew. Kutztown had swung the momentum but not soon enough.

It was a fantastic rugby game. It was the type of athletic contest where everyone in attendance was awestruck by the valor displayed on both sides of the field. The grace, speed, power, skills and sportsmanship of these two teams, were undeniably top rate. Win or lose, each team had to be congratulated. It was a thing of beauty. RUN WITH THE BEARS !

Kutztown / 14 Over Delaware

Administrator — Wed, 02 May 2012 03:03:34 +0000

With a bizarre twist of the whistle, Kutztown played seventy nine minutes with fourteen players and defeated the University of Delaware 30-21. Immediately following a Delaware infringement on the kick-off, Kutztown was awarded a scrum near the Blue Hen twenty two meter line. When the ball caromed out of the set piece, the Delaware weak side flanker attempted to tackle Kutztown’s scrum-half, Andrew Abt. However, Kutztown’s Abt ducked and the flanker landed on the scrum-half’s back, almost like a wrestling takedown. Abt instinctively reacted with a wrestling type move of his own, as he reversed the tackler from atop his back and slammed him to the ground. At the very same instant, the referee blew the whistle and observed the entire incident. It was a reactionary type move on the part of the scrum-half but a penalty none the less. The referee’s discretion was an immediate red card awarded to the scrum-half. Kutztown had just lost a key ingredient to their overall game plan. Everyone on the Kutztown sideline was in shock. Except the veteran head coach. Doc Jones takes pride in being prepared. He had already played this scenario out in his mind, just in case it ever happened. He calmly ordered the Kutztown Hooker, Jamie Gregory to play scrum-half. While he moved his open side flanker, Matt Fredrick, an experienced front row player, to tight-head prop and Kutztown number eight, Mike Cress to flanker. Problem solved, play on.

That is exactly what he ordered his troops to do and at the four minute mark, Jamie Gregory dove over the goal line. KU 5 UDel 0. The Kutztown forwards where having their way with the gain line, as they continuously penetrated deep over the line and quickly recycled to do it again. Delaware was on their heels and as the clock struck ten minutes, Kutztown’s inside center, Bruce Dolan took a multi-phased ball and ran straight and hard to touch down under the post, untouched. Somma converted and before you could say red card, Kutztown was up 12-0. The Blue Hens were under constant pressure. Kutztown’s Devon Somma took advantage of a Delaware miscue and drilled a forty yard shot through the uprights and Kutztown was up 15-0. Delaware never posed a serious offensive threat for the first forty minutes of the contest.

The second stanza started well for Kutztown, as Mike Lawrenson commandeered an errant loose ball and raced for the promise land. KU 20 UDel 0. At about the sixty minute mark, Kutztown lost their inside center, Bruce Dolan to a yellow card. The Golden Bears played the next ten minutes with thirteen players. They gave up two Delaware trys in that span. KU 20 UDel 10. With Dolan back on the field and the game clock winding down to full time, Delaware elected to kick a penalty kick. It was good. KU 20 UDel 13. Kutztown obtained the next possession and immediately kicked the ball out of bounds, for the final whistle. It was in the books. KU 20 U Del 13. RUN WITH THE BEARS!

Kutztown Challenges Army

Administrator — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:46:50 +0000

The United States Military Academy is the epitome of tradition. The long Gray Line is famous throughout our country’s military history. Their rugby program has a long standing tradition as well. Always considered one of America’s elite collegiate rugby programs, Army has been in the thick of the national championship hunt for decades. Founded in 1961, West point has qualified for every round of the sweet sixteen since the tournament’s conception. Three times they have finished runner-up for the Collegiate Rugby National Championship. Their state of the art rugby facility is a monument of success and sits majestically on the banks of the Hudson River. The essence of the grounds, enhances competition and embraces the challenge. On this Saturday, March 24, 2012, the Kutztown Golden Bears arrived at the Anderson Rugby Complex, prepared for the challenge.

The Bears were coming off of a narrow win over Ohio State and Army had been victorious over Rutgers and Delaware. Kutztown had struggled in Columbus and after that performance, no one was quite sure if the Bears were going to recover from the loss of All-American full-back Tim Acker and South African fly-half Niku Kruger. Both players lost for the season, due to ACL injuries. To further complicate the Army situation, fullback Gareth Lourens was lost for the game due to a concussion suffered against Ohio State. The Black Knights were going to be a far greater test then the Buckeyes. This was, in one way or another, going to expose the heart of the Bears. Head coach Doc Jones had no doubt his boys would put up a valiant effort but he could sense the skepticism in the air. Something he had been diligently trying to erase all week at practice. Coming out of the locker room and reminded by their veteran coach, Kutztown received the high end over end kick-off and went to work.

The first twenty minutes of the match, saw both teams mount ferocious attacks and hard core defense was the order of the day. Army drew first blood when All-American fly-half Will Holder, slotted a penalty kick outside of the Kutztown twenty-two meter line. Army – 3 KU – 0 . Six minutes later, Kutztown’s Mat Fredrick picked up a ball at the back of a ruck and pounded his way, five meters into the end zone. Kutztown missed the corner conversion and the scoreboard read KU – 5 Army – 3. Another Kutztown penalty led to a second Will Holder penalty kick. Army – 6 KU – 5. The Golden Bears wouldn’t let up. The Kutztown back-line executed a series of breaks with freshmen Devon Somma and Robert Stortz supplying the horsepower. The Kutztown forwards applied tremendous pressure to the larger Army pack, and organized a blitzkrieg that forced the Army side onto their heels. These movements were culminated by a forward rush that found Jamie Gregory touching down in the corner. The conversion missed and the score was KU 10 Army 6. It was less than ten minutes later, when Kutztown’s forwards had a repeat performance with Zack Jessell doing the honors, once again in the corner. KU 15 Army 6. Army was feeling the pressure and rallied with a try of their own, but missed the conversion. The first half ended with that score, KU 15 Army 11.

The Golden Bears where up on the Black Knights at halftime for the second year in a row. The Kutztown coaching staff were well aware of the resurgence Army was going to deliver in the second half. They did it last year and once again, the second half opened up like gangbusters. Army ran extremely hard out of the back line with numerous dummy runners and skip passes with their fullback striking the line. They scored two quick trys and surged into the lead

Army 25 KU 15. Once again Kutztown regrouped and attacked the weak side with clarity and excellent speed. The Bears had one try held up but didn’t let the bad luck slow them down. Tom Domino led the back-line from his fly half position and set up Bruce Dolan who ran forty yards through half of the Army team. He would not be denied but once again Devon Somma had bad luck with the gusty wind and the scoreboard read, Army 25 Kutztown 20.

Then tragedy struck for senior wing, Kerry Fry Berger. The multi-talented vice-captain was lost for the season with a knee injury. He was replaced by Pat Connolly. Army never rested and their All-American fly-half, Will Holder kicked ahead to quickly ponce on his own kick in the end zone. Army 30 KU 20. The Golden Bears turned up the heat and scrum-half Andrew Abt ran a weak side sweep out of the scrum. He dished off to the striking full-back, Devon Somma, who laid a brilliant inside pass to the racing, reserve winger, Pat Connolly. Pat outran the Army defenders and touched down with a few minutes left in the match. Army 30 Kutztown 25. The Bears mounted several more phases and worked their way downfield. Unfortunately, as they were applying pressure, Army tackled a Kutztown player, only to drive him out of bounds and stop the clock. Final Score ARMY 30 KUTZTOWN 25.

Kutztown Stops Navy

Administrator — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:39:10 +0000

Kutztown just came off of two grueling road trips and were glad to be home. However, after Ohio State and Army, Navy, is not what one would call, a warm homecoming. Needless to say, this is life in the D1-A League. The challenge is to play the best competition in America and to be prepared every weekend. Every Saturday is a test. No matter what the opposition’s record, they have the talent to beat you. Traditionally one of the best rugby squads in the country, Navy always has the talent to beat anyone. This year’s squad of Midshipmen are no exception to the rule. Both sides have to win the match, to stay in the play-off picture. Kutztown and Navy are sitting in the league standings with identical 1-1 records. Two losses in the highly competitive East conference were most likely going to keep a team out of the play-offs. It was on the line and everyone associated with this contest knew it. A win represented expectations and a loss meant a bus ticket home.

The stage was set and Kutztown kicked-off to the midshipmen. As usual, Navy was very strong and quick in the forwards. Their back-line was big and determined across the board. They consistently attacked the weak side of the field. In typical military fashion, they didn’t run around the defense, they pounded straight ahead and wore you down with their determination and physicality. However, retaining possession was a problem and Kutztown would capitalize on their mistakes. The first one cost them three points as Kutztown’s Devon Somma struck a penalty kick at the four minute mark. KU 3 Navy 0. At the seven and a half minute mark, Kutztown prop Zack Jessell bulled his way into the end zone for a try. Somma converted and with only eight minutes on the clock, KU 10 Navy 0.

Navy mounted a few serious attacks and found themselves inside the Kutztown twenty two meter line but made numerous mistakes that cost them possession. A long break by Gareth Lourens brought Kutztown fifty yards up field. The Golden Bear forwards took over and culminated their master piece with another Zack Jessell try. Somma’s conversion was wide. KU 15 Navy 0. The two teams traded territory with vengeance. Kutztown fly-half, Tom Domino, weaved his way through Navy defenders and found his way, to dot down near the posts. Somma converted with a perfect chip shot and the Bears were ahead at the twenty four minute mark, 22-0. Ten minutes later, Navy’s fly-half struck for a try and conversion. KU 22 Navy 7. Near the end of the half, Navy was penalized and Somma kicked a penalty kick to make Navy pay. KU 25 Navy 7.

The game appeared to be in hand as the second half began. Kutztown waited ten minutes and sent in two reserves. The game picked up and Navy fought ferociously to close the gap. They were consistently denied and the Bears stood tall defending their territory. Jamie Gregory was involved in a forward rush that found him touching down at the fifty two minute mark. KU 30 Navy 7. Kutztown sent in two more reserves. Navy scored at the sixty five minute mark and converted. KU 30 Navy 14. The midshipmen never gave up and scored and converted once again, near the final whistle. The game was in hand for Kutztown but Navy was valiant and determined. They attacked and fought to the final whistle. KU 30 Navy 21. RUN WITH THE BEARS!

Kutztown Edges Ohio State

Administrator — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:09:26 +0000

The bus pulled out of Kutztown at 3:30 A.M. on the day of the match in Columbus, Ohio. The bus company had two drivers on board and it was going to be a straight eight hour shot, to the home of the Buckeyes. Everyone on board brought pillows and blankets, homework, snacks, music and movies. However, at that hour, everyone fell away to the constant hum of the tires and there was silence for the next several hours. The team stopped and had breakfast before pulling onto the Ohio State campus. The Bears were met by OSU assistant coach Ron Bowers. He took the team to the OSU rec-center where the boys relaxed and stretched their legs. Two hours later, the Kutztown coaching staff had the team running through their pre-game warm-up drills.
The Buckeyes hadn’t forgotten last year’s score. They had traveled to Kutztown and saw the Bears put up sixty plus points. The Kutztown coaching staff did not expect the same thing to happen in Columbus. Actually, Kutztown’s head coach, Doc Jones, was expecting a hard fought match.The Bears came out of the gate with a torrid pace but continuously erred when it counted the most. Penalties, knock-ons and mis-communication kept the Bears out of the end zone. However, mid-way through the firs stanza, a Buckeye penalty was committed in front of their goal post. Kutztown’s fullback, Devon Somma, confidently slotted the kick for a 3-0 Kutztown lead. The Buckeyes couldn’t pass the halfway line and the Bears despite their unorganized attack, found an advantage when Bruce Dolan broke away for a forty yard scamper. He off-loaded to winger Kerry Fryberger near the goal line. Kerry streaked in untouched for the try. Somma converted and the Bears were up 10-0 . Kutztown was dominating the first forty minutes and just before the half ended, a deep Ohio State kick took an unconventional bounce on the turf. The Buckeyes capitalized on the bounce, to beat a racing Kutztown player and put downward pressure on the ball for five points. The halftime score was Kutztown 10 Ohio State 5.
The second half saw Gareth Lourens make a weak side break for a quick try in the corner. The conversion was not good and Kutztown led 15-5. Then, the Ohio State back-line began to apply more offensive pressure and the Buckeye forwards were applying old school thuggery to the Kutztown front eight. A very solid one – two punch, literally, as they climbed back into the contest. Ohio State took advantage of Kutztown miscues deep in their own territory and out hustled the Bears for back to back trys and conversions. At this point Ohio State took the lead 19-15 and had all of the momentum. Then Kutztown seemed to regroup and reeled off a few multiple phase balls without a mistake. They found themselves in front of the Buckeye goal post with an awarded penalty. They chose the scrum instead of the penalty kick. Their confidence was evident, as their eighth man, Zack Jessel, picked up the ball at the back of the scrum. He was not to be denied, as he bulled his way over the goal line for a try. Kutztown takes the lead with four minutes to play, 22 – 19.
The Buckeyes had other ideas as they storm back down the field and appear to touch down in the corner. Lucky for the Bears, Ohio State is called for an obstruction penalty and the score is nullified. However, shortly after that, the Buckeyes convert a penalty kick to tie the game 22-22. In the mean time, Kutztown’s fly-half and field general, Gareth Lourens takes a vicious kick to the head and has to leave the game. With two minutes left and the clock ticking, the Kutztown coaching staff makes some changes in the back-line. The Bears respond and appear to stay collected as they navigate their way back toward the Buckeye goal line. The Golden Bear fullback and kicker leaves the game with leg cramps. Kutztown makes a substitution but continuos their methodical advancement. With no time left on the clock, Kutztown maintains possession and wins several rucks in a row. Everyone is spellbound. One mistake by the Bears or a loss of possession sends them on the long bus ride home with a tie. Then it happens ! An Ohio State forward dives over a Kutztown ruck and the Buckeyes are penalized fifteen yards in front of their goal posts. Now the entire crowd, those in Maroon and Gold, as well as those in Crimson and Gray, are holding their collective breaths. Kutztown summons Mike Lawrenson to the kicking tee. He lines it up, takes a deliberate approach and sends an injured quail, barely over the crossbar. Which becomes the most beautiful kick, of the new 2012 D1-A season. The whistle blows full time and Kutztown leaves the victor, 25-22.
RUN WITH THE BEARS

BEARS SNAKEBITTEN IN VEGAS

Administrator — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:51:03 +0000

The Kutztown University sevens team arrived in Las Vegas on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. The side was confident after a month long term of blistering training sessions. Their skill sets were very high and their conditioning level was extraordinary. The “Dirty Dozen” were deep and talented, from the number one player to the twelfth. There is no doubt, from friend or foe, that they are one of the premier collegiate seven sides in the country. They are to be considered a favorite to win, in any competition they enter. So, seeded number one in their pool bracket, and with accolades and confidence, the Golden Bears jogged out on the field early Thursday morning. Their first opponent was Creighton University from Omaha, Nebraska. The Bears were superior, with a 52-5 victory. The next team on the docket was Claremont Colleges from Los Angeles, California. Claremont was blanked by the Bears 42-0.

The competition heated up on the next day, when Kutztown took on the undefeated University of Missouri. The Bears were prepared for the bruising style and smash mouth rugby that Mizzou brought to the table. The final whistle found Kutztown on top 38-7. That match ended pool play and Kutztown went into the bracket quarter final, undefeated. The University of Buffalo was waiting on the other side. The Buffs were a distant second place finish to Life University in their pool but still posed a threat to the Golden Bear mission. The Bears didn’t notice and ran into the bracket final with a 31-0 win.

Saturday morning brought the expected anticipation of three very tough matches, on the road to the title.

THE ELITE EIGHT

Stoney Brook ( National Collegiate Sevens Tournament Qualifier)

UCLA

Miami of Ohio ( National Collegiate Sevens Tournament Qualifier)

Utah

Davenport (2011 Division 1AA National Collegiate Champions)

Life University ( 2011 Division 1A National Collegiate Sevens Champions)

Central Washington (2011 Las Vegas Collegiate Sevens Champions / 2011 National Collegiate Sevens Finalist)

Kutztown (National Collegiate Sevens Final Four)

Kutztown was pitted against Miami of Ohio, in a much anticipated match-up of tournament un-beatens. The rugby media had predicted this match-up, two weeks prior to the tournament. The media and fans were split on the predicted outcome. Miami of Ohio was a veteran squad, always highly rated and extremely confident in their abilities. They were well conditioned athletes with very dangerous speed on the outside. Kutztown came out aggressively and scored two quick and well orchestrated trys. Miami of Ohio fought valiantly and scored at the end of the game to make it respectable at 17-7. This was a huge win for Kutztown and vaulted them into the tournament Final Four versus the reigning collegiate national champions, Life University from Marietta, Georgia. However, the win over Miami of Ohio came at a terrible price. In this game, the Bears lost 2011 Sevens All-American and sevens team captain, Tim Acker. Along with freshman sensation, Niku Kruger. Undoubtably, the teams most prolific play makers and top try scorers. They both suffered ACL knee injuries.Tim is lost for the season and faces surgery and a long rehab journey. Niku injured a recent ACL surgical repair and the coaching staff is awaiting MRI results to see if he has torn the ACL once again or suffered a major sprain. Either way, he might be lost for the remainder of the season.

Two hours later, the Bears took on the Running Eagles of Life University. The Kutztown side played extremely well and fought Life for every inch of territory. The end result was a 19-5 defeat that could have gone either way during the match. Kutztown had a few line breaks that ended in front of the Life goal line where the Eagles held on or time ran out. The win put Life in the finals where they defeated the University of Utah. Life will advance to the CRC / NBC production in June of this year. The Kutztown team and coaching staff wish them the best and will be pulling for them to win it all at the CRC.

While competing in Las Vegas the Golden Bears finished 5-1 with 187 points scored and 38 against. Niku Kruger was the leading try scorer for the Bears, with six. Followed by Tim Acker and Gareth Lourens, with five a piece. Tom Domino was outstanding with four trys and Jamie Gregory and Matt Fredrick dotted down three times. This was Kutztown’s second consecutive year in the nations largest and most prestigious sevens tournament. They hold a combined record of 11-2 for their efforts. They will be back next year. RUN WITH THE BEARS !

2012 LAS VEGAS INVITATIONAL – Feb 8-12

Administrator — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:15:04 +0000

The Kutztown University Rugby Club will travel to Las Vegas on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. This will be the third consecutive year that the Golden Bears have appeared in the country’s largest invitational rugby tournament. During their initial appearance in 2010, they sent their first and second fifteen, to compete with Utah Valley State University and Claremont Colleges. The Bears returned home undefeated. Last year, the club sent their sevens team and competed in a field of twenty eight colleges. The Golden Bears advanced to the Finals but were upended by Central Washington University. This year’s sevens competition has grown to a field of thirty one schools.

Kutztown comes into this event, fresh off a December, 2011 Final Four finish, in the USA National Sevens Championship, held in College Station, Texas. The Bears lost in the semi-finals, to none other than, Central Washington, 19-17. Life University (Marietta, Georgia ) defeated Central Washington in overtime, to capture the inaugural 2011 National Collegiate Sevens Championship.

The teams have recently been notified of their Las Vegas pool play competition. Kutztown has been placed in “Conference One” and seeded first in their bracket. The other first place bracket seeds of “Conference One” are, Miami University, San Diego State and Life University. The Golden Bears, if given the opportunity, will have to rise to the challenge of defeating the 2011 National Champions, (Life University) if they are to advance to the Finals.

The 2012 Las Vegas Invitational Collegiate Champion will advance to the NBC national collegiate invitational television event, known as the Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC). The CRC is a sixteen team invitational tournament with only one qualifying team on the billboard.

The Las Vegas Invitational being the only qualifying venue for that event. The CRC is held in Philadelphia PPL Park, on June 2-3, 2012.

2012 LAS VEGAS COLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL SEVENS TOURNAMENT

CONFERENCE ONE

A BRACKET

Life University

St. Joe’s University

Claremont Colleges

University of Buffalo

B BRACKET

Kutztown University

University of Missouri

Creighton University

University of San Francisco

C BRACKET

University of Miami

Air Force Academy

University of Texas

University of Pittsburgh

D BRACKET

San Diego State University

Western Washington University

New Mexico State University

Denver University

CONFERENCE TWO

A BRACKET

Central Washington University

Yale University

Indiana University

Weber State University

B BRACKET

University of Utah

Davenport University

Southern Illinois University

Regis University

C BRACKET

Cal Poly University

University of Georgia

Stanford University

Albany University

D BRACKET

Stony Brook University

UCLA

Brown University

Longwood University

National Collegiate 7’s Tournament Standings

Administrator — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:54:10 +0000

When the dust settled at the 2011 National Collegiate 7’s Tournament, Kutztown advanced to the Final Four and eventually finished in fourth place. It was their first ever appearance, in the Final Four of a national tournament event. So where did the rest of the field line-up, in comparison to the Golden Bears? You might find the list interesting, as well as enjoy some photos of the Golden Bear players in action.

1. Life College

2. Central Washington

3. Arkansas State

4. Kutztown

5. St. Mary’s

6. Colorado

7. Tennessee

8. Cal Poly

9. Miami of Ohio

10. UC Davis

11. Texas A&M

12. Wisconsin

13. Oklahoma

14. San Diego State

15. North Carolina State

16. Western Washington

17. Air Force Academy

18. Virginia

19. Arkansas

20. Texas

21. Florida

22. Stony Brook

23. UW-Milwaukee

24. Florida State

KU 7′S/2012 LAS VEGAS INVITATIONAL

Administrator — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:38:36 +0000

There is currently, only one venue which allows an opportunity to qualify for the NBC telecast known as, The Collegiate 7’s Rugby Championship Tournament (CRC). It is held in PPL Park and located in Chester, Pennsylvania. There are sixteen collegiate teams on the format, fifteen of those teams are playing exclusively by “invitation only”. They are selected by their marketing power and football rivalries. An example being, Ohio State vs. Michigan -their gridiron tradition being the drawing power for American viewers not familiar with the collegiate rugby scene. Fair enough, it is what it is, and major conglomerations are entitled to do whatever they deem necessary to be prosperous. They are also doing a great service to the sport of collegiate rugby, by telecasting the competition on prime time airwaves.

Kutztown Rugby finished second in the 2011 Las Vegas Invitational. The Golden Bears defeated Brown, UCLA, Air Force Academy, Whittier College, San Diego University and Delaware en route to the finals. They lost to Central Washington University in the championship match (12-0). Kutztown is coming off a December 2011 Final Four appearance in the inaugural USA Rugby National Collegiate 7’s Tournament, held in College Station, Texas – home of Texas A&M University. Here Kutztown defeated Florida State, UC-Davis, Florida and the University of Tennessee before losing in the semi-final match to Central Washington once again, (19-17). Those two tournaments, the CRC and the USA Nationals are the most prestigious collegiate tournaments in America. Kutztown has demonstrated and earned national prominence in both of those events. They will inevitably be one of the pre-tournament favorites in the 2012 Las Vegas Invitational, held February 9-11. Thirty two college teams have entered the tournament and the field is complete. Alongside Kutztown and battling for the championship, will be the likes of Life College, Central Washington, Utah, Texas, Missouri, San Diego State, UCLA, Stanford, Air Force, Georgia, Cal Poly, New Mexico, Oregon, Claremont, Indiana, Brown, Pitt and Miami of Ohio, to mention a few. This tournament is measuring up to be the most competitive Las Vegas Invitational to date. Certainly every entrant wants to win this prestigious tournament and showcase their program on national television.

The Kutztown coaching staff will bring their sevens players back to campus one week prior to the finish of winter break. The squad will be tested once again and tryout invitations have been sent to pre-selected athletes that weren’t picked for the USA Nationals in December. The Las Vegas squad may have some new names on the roster. Whatever the outcome in training camp, rest assured, that the Golden Bears will be prepared for the competition in Las Vegas.

On another note pertaining to the Las Vegas Tournament. The Kutztown Rugby Alumni are attempting to put together an alumni weekend in Las Vegas. If interested, please contact Marco Cardillo at mcardillo12@hotmail.com or 856-466-7250. Alumnus Brian Dettling and Steve Hasselbach will be in attendance. This is a tremendous opportunity for the alumni to support the college side, watch international sevens and have an unforgettable weekend on the Las Vegas strip.

RUN WITH THE BEARS!