The Louisiana State University Rugby Football Club, often referred to as LSU Tigers Rugby, represents Louisiana State University in college rugby and rugby sevens. The team is part of the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference (SCRC) and they play their home matches at the UREC Field Complex on LSU's campus., Sports NOLA, Ken Trahan, April 16, 2009.

History The LSU Rugby team dates back to 1970, founded by Rob Haswell, Jay McKenna and Hal Rose.Louisiana State University, American Collegiate Rugby Championship Sevens, March 18, 2015. LSU won the 1976 college rugby unofficial national tournament."Interview of LSU’s Bob Causey", Texas Rugby Union, April 4, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2010.

LSU Rugby became a member of the Texas Rugby Union in 1996. LSU Rugby competed at the 1998 Western Rugby Collegiate Championships, led by Head Coach Steve Triche."RUGBY PLAYERS GET DOWN AND DIRTY", Lawrence Journal-World, Chris Koger, April 5, 1998. Retrieved May 2, 2015.

In 2005, Scott McLean was named head coach of the LSU Rugby team. In the 2008-09 season, the team won the SEC rugby title in the fall, and in the spring advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division I national rugby tournament. During the 2009-2010 season, LSU went to its second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance,"ASU rugby team heads west for Sweet 16 in USA Rugby Tournament playoffs", Arkansas State University, April 13, 2010. but lost to Penn State 31–25. LSU players Adam Ducoing, Bobby Johns, and Cody Cadella were named to the Collegiate All-American teams at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season."2009-10 Deep South Season Report", Deep South Rugby, March 15, 2011.

LSU Rugby joined the College Premier Division (later named Division 1-A),, Sports NOLA, October 1, 2010. where they played in the Mid-South conference against teams such as Texas A&M and Oklahoma. LSU competed at the 2011 Collegiate Rugby Championship, a tournament held at PPL Park in Philadelphia and broadcast on NBC.Massive Day One at the 2011 Collegiate Rugby Championship LSU finished in ninth place, winning the consolation bracket with victories over Boston College, North Carolina, and Notre Dame."2011 MEN'S CRC SCORES", Rugby Today, June 4, 2011."2011 USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship: BC Eliminated Early, Dartmouth Wins Title", BC Interruption, Brian Favat, June 5, 2011.

LSU Rugby joined the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference in 2011. In 2012, Bob Causey was named head coach of the LSU Rugby team, following the retirement of Scott McLean."SCRC POLL HAS LSU, TENNESSEE AT TOP" , Rugby Today, February 4, 2012. In 2012, LSU were the SCRC West Division champions and advanced to the SCRC playoffs,"Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference final four set in Montgomery this weekend", AL.com, Natalie Wade, April 12, 2012. before losing to Florida in the SCRC semifinals., Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference, April 15, 2012. LSU flyhalf Allen Alongi led the SCRC Conference in points scored during the 2012 season."2013 Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference Preview", This Is American Rugby, Ted Hardy, January 31, 2013.

In 2013, LSU won the West Division of the SCRC Conference, finishing with a 5–1 conference record, before losing to South Carolina in the SCRC playoffs."SCRC Digest", This Is American Rugby, March 29, 2013.

LSU had a successful 2014 season, going undefeated in conference play to become the SCRC West Division champions, before losing to South Carolina in the SCRC finals.Louisiana State University, American Collegiate Rugby Championship Bowl Series. Retrieved April 12, 2015. LSU secured a berth in the 2014 national D1-AA playoffs, where they faced Central Florida in the Round of 16."COLLEGE PLAYOFF BRACKETS ARE SET", Gift-Time Rugby Network, April 17, 2014. LSU Rugby was suspended in November 2014 due to a violation of the school's alcohol policy,"LSU rugby team suspended after violating alcohol policy, newspaper says", NOLA.com, Quincy Hodges, November 24, 2014. but the team was reinstated in January 2015."LSU Rugby Reinstated", Goff Rugby Report, Alex Goff, January 21, 2015.

Head coaches Tenure Coach Years Record Pct. Accomplishments 1970–1973 Rob Haswell 3 1979–1983 David 5 1984–2001 John Staub 8 2002–2006 Steven Triche 5 2007–2011 Scott McLean 5 Collegiate Rugby Championship, 9th place (2011) 2012–2021 Bob "Red" Causey 10 SCRC West Division champion (2012, 2013, 2014) 2022 Harry Higgins 1 Present Chris Riedel

Players and Alumni Many current and former players have been selected to Regional and National Select Sides, and several LSU Tigers contributed to the victory of the Louisiana (LA) U-19 All-stars in national competition. In addition, former LSU players have been team members of the USA U-19 Eagles in international competitions and have participated in the Down Under Rugby training program in Australia.

U.S. national team The following LSU players have been called up to play for the United States national rugby union team:

Bob Causey (1977–1987) — 8 caps as lock, including 1 cap against South Africa (1981),"Apartheid, Bob “Big Red” Causey, & the Springbok’s 1981 Tour", Deep South Rugby, Tom Crosby, March 11, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2015. 2 against England (1982) and (1987) in the World Cup.Bob Causey Test Matches, ESPN. Retrieved May 2, 2015. Boyd Morrison (1979–1980) — 2 caps as center.Boyd Morrison Test Matches, ESPN. Retrieved May 2, 2015. Joey Husband Gary Giepert (1985 -1986) Flanker 1985 U S Junior Eagle tour of Europe compiled 5 - 1 record. 1986 Junior Eagle v. Japan (full international side) Dallas, Tx. Cameron Falcon — played as hooker for the United States national under-20 rugby union team at the 2012 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy."FALCON LEADS U20 LINEOUT DOMINANCE", Rugby Today, Alex Goff, September 6, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2015.

All Americans Gary Giepert (1985) Francis Mayer (1989, 1990) Brian Q. Davis (1999) Adam Ducoing (2008) Cameron Falcon (2011, 2012)

LSU Rugby Hall of Fame Rob Haswell (2021) Bob Causey (2021) Scott McLean (2021)

Championships Year Championship 2012 SCRC — West Division 2013 SCRC — West Division 2014 SCRC — West Division

References

External links