The following message is from the Vice President for Student Affairs:
As the new Vice President for Student Affairs, I write to you with an important announcement about the reorganization of two club sports, rugby and crew. With the commencement of the 2015-16 academic year, the male and female squads of rugby and crew will no longer be a part of the University’s club sports program and will, instead, come under the supervision of Director of Athletics Ken Tyler. While not varsity teams under the NCAA banner, crew and rugby are in a distinct category in that they both have national governing bodies and they participate in collegiate championships.
According to Ken Tyler, this move indicates “an additional layer of oversight for the four squads as well as increased eligibility standards.” He also said that each participant will be expected to sign the Athletic Department Code of Conduct and will be subject to random drug testing, the same as all varsity athletes.
Men’s rugby at UMW, which has been under suspension and inactive since last March, will have a new coach, Min Sae Chae, when it becomes active again, effective August 15, 2015. In addition, the squad will be guided by a six-member advisory committee that includes a parent and faculty members.
With the exception of incoming members, all rugby players completed requirements of the sanctions imposed last semester. In addition to being under probation for the coming year, all members of the men’s rugby squad will participate in an additional sensitivity awareness session, according to Ken Tyler.
Juliette Landphair, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
University of Mary Washington
540-654-1062
