Mr. Eric Richard Dent,
Head Rugby Coach
Saints Rugby is a varsity sport on campus. We play in the Southern California Interscholastic Rugby Federation (SCIRF). The team plays against other high school rugby programs in San Diego and Los Angeles. The team offers students the opportunity to compete at the highest level of high school rugby in Southern California. Traditionally, Saints is ranked in the top 20 nationally for high school rugby. The team has a varsity and JV side to compete in the league. Varsity athletes can earn a letter and PE credits can be earned toward graduation (after Freshman year).
Saints Rugby has been in the high school league since its inception in 2009-2010. The team has achieved good success over the years, including last season when the Saints were 9-2 overall and won the league championship. Saints Rugby earned a national ranking of #4 in 2022 and advanced to the SCIRF Final. The team won the Titan Shield and hoisted the Charity Cup. The Charity Cup goes to the winner of the annual Saints vs CC match.
Individually, the Saints Rugby has seen players advance to play collegiate rugby at some of the top programs in the nation. In the last couple years, Saints Rugby players have had some remarkable experiences:
| Brennan Amsberry | US Naval Academy |
| Matt DeFrates | US Military Academy |
| James Downey | US Military Academy |
| Matt Macey | St Mary’s College |
| Ryan McNamara | Oklahoma University |
| Michael Colucci | University of Oregon |
| Aidan Konja | San Diego State University/University of San Diego /SCIRF Player of the Year |
| Ethan McVeigh | Cardiff Metropolitan (Wales) / U20 USA National Team / San Diego Legion/ American Raptors |
| Moses Mercado | Grand Canyon University |
| Michael Cross | Grand Canyon University / Top player in the nation at his position |
| Egya Reddy | University of Texas – Austin |
| Isaac Morrill | University of Arizona |
Saints Rugby encourages Saintsmen to see collegiate rugby as a possibility to enrich their college experience.
Saints Rugby has a team of coaches who are committed to providing a quality rugby experience for the Saintsmen. The club conducts an off-season work-out routine which includes strength training with Coach Mike Sweat twice a week, skill development and conditioning. In season, the Saints Rugby team works out in the gym twice a week with Coach Sweat and practices three to four times a week. Games typically take place on Saturday.
The Saints Rugby program has high expectations for all of our student athletes. Saints Rugby seeks to use rugby as a vehicle to develop young men while at St. Augustine. All rugby players are expected to model the school values of Unitas, Veritas, and Caritas. Playing rugby at Saints is an opportunity to live and experience these values.
If you are interested in Saints Rugby or would like more information, please contact Eric Dent at edent@sahs.org .
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