The Wolfpack, a D2 team now has an exciting opportunity to now play our rival UNC, a D1 team, in matrix spring 2010. How is this possible? The creation of the Carolina’s Rugby League.

Traditionally, a fundamental problem has held back the potential of many college rugby clubs in this state, money. Money and our associated school’s support was the key factor that kept D2 clubs in D2 and allowed D1 clubs to continue in their division. D1 clubs in more recent times have had long distances to travel during matrix season, such as UNC having to travel to Arkansas State University, once every two years. D2 clubs, in just about all cases, feel they can hang with any D1 club in the area, only they cannot afford to travel. The solution? The Carolina’s Rugby League, organized by Andy Richards, former UNC Rugby head coach, and current NC Collegiate Allstar coach.

Andy got the ball rolling and has organized everything, following him receiving support from the majority of the affected clubs. The Carolina’s Rugby League has taken all the D1 and D2 teams in the Carolina’s, and allowed them all to play each other, while still allowing a D1 and two D2 teams to advance in the men’s collegiate championship tournament. The affected teams are D1 teams Clemson, UNC, and USC; D2 teams NCSU, Wake Forrest, ASU, and ECU. What this will effectively do is shorten overall travel distances for the D1 teams, while increasing collegiate rugby competition in the Carolina’s. The matrix season will now be 5 games long, effectively creating the schedule in the spring.

The proposed schedule for NC State is as follows:

-January 23^rd NC State @ UNC

-January 30^th App State @ NC State

-February 6^th NC State @ Clemson

-February 13^th USC @ NC State

-February 20^th NC State @ Wake Forrest

-February 27^th ECU @ NC State

NC State is excited for this opportunity, although it will force us to start very soon after we get back from winter break. We are especially excited about a season opener at UNC, our long-time rivals. This up and coming spring matrix season will be the trial run for the League, and hopefully will gain more support from the region, and the South. American Rugby News has posted an article which mentions our new League. Click on the link for this additional article.

http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/college/FSU_USF_step_up_to_DI.shtml