Life Rugby High School Camp Sold Out

High school students from all over the nation are clamoring to attend Life University’s rugby camp July 13-16 on the Marietta campus. The number of participants is already maxed out with 60 high school students from 10 different states.

The camp is designed for incoming high school freshmen through graduating seniors to learn basic skills, position-specific techniques, diet and nutrition, strength and conditioning, and goal setting. On the final day, the camp will conclude with a competitive match between the participants.

“Having 60 of the leading high school athletes from around the country visiting our campus for a week of training and development is a winning combination for all involved,” said Director of Life Rugby Dan Payne.

The camp’s coaching staff includes Payne, Scott Lawrence, Matt Sherman and current Life Rugby players. The special guest lecturers are Todd Clever, captain of the U.S. Rugby National Team and Seth Payne, a former NFL player.

There are 23 rugby teams in the Georgia High School Rugby Association, and there will be eight players from Marietta in attendance.

“The younger players begin playing, the more skilled and developed they'll be as they reach their undergraduate institutions,” said Payne. “We have seen a direct tie-in with the growth of the sport at the high school level and those who are choosing their undergraduate colleges with rugby in mind. We have 15 incoming freshmen this year as part of our recruiting class. It's safe to say that each of them started looking at Life University as an option because of our rugby program and the level at which they can train and compete.”

This is the first rugby summer camp hosted by Life University at this level, which is expected to be an annual event for years to come.

Life RSL Enters First Round of Playoffs

Life University’s Super League team boasts another undefeated season as they enter the first round of playoffs against Chicago Griffins on Saturday at 2 p.m. at home.

In addition to being 9-0-1, Life has surrendered the fewest number of points in the league. The Running Eagles have had several lop-sided wins this season, winning several games by 30 or more points. They stole the show in February at Ruggerfest in Ft. Lauderdale by winning the Premier Division Championship after defeating Boston Irish, Boston RFC and Saturday’s opponent, Chicago Griffins, 27-3. Most recently, Life played to a standstill in NY against undefeated New York Athletic Club tying the game at 27.

A win against the Griffins will earn Life a spot in the semi finals on May 22, with the hope of reaching the National Championship game on May 30 in San Francisco, CA.

Life's D1 Team Advances to Round of 16

Life University's Division 1 team defeated the Cincinnati Wolfhounds in the first round of playoffs today at home, 24-15. The undefeated Running Eagles scored the first try of the game and made a penalty kick, leading at the half, 10-3.

With seven minutes left in the game, Life was only ahead by 2 points when second-row forward Chance Doyle broke a tackle and ran in for the try. It was Doyle's second try of the game. Other Life scorers include Jamey Penca who scored one try and Antoine Blanchet who had 9 kicking points.

"It was a tough game," said Director of Life Rugby Dan Payne. "We made it harder on ourselves with poor decision-making. This was a very young team taking on a very seasoned team. At this stage, we are happy to move forward."

Life University continues to the Round of 16 at Columbia on Saturday, May 22.

Life RSL Beats Charlotte 46-13

Life University's Rugby Super League team beat Charlotte 46-13 this weekend at the Charlotte RFC. The team played strong rugby in the first half. At points there were strings of 6 and 7 phases of rugby, maintained possession and the patience was capped off with a try. It was a very entertaining game of rugby for the Life fans that were in attendance.

The defense was strong again, minus two lapses in the second half that resulted in tries for the home team. All in all it was a step forward for the Life University squad. The win pushed their record to 2-0 in league play and the loss dropped Charlotte to 1-1.

Fly Half Aaron "AZA" McMaster led all scorers with 2 tries, a penalty and 4 conversions for a total of 21 points. Tries were also added by Joe Perez, Phil Thiel, Scott Lawrence, Nathan Rogers and Garry Sullivan for a balanced Life attack.

#23 Life University defeats #18 Georgetown College

#23 Life University started off this week with a 14-point win against West Virginia Tech at home on Tuesday.

The Running Eagles followed with another win at home on Saturday against #18 Georgetown College. The teams battled back and forth for the lead. Life pulled away with a 7-point lead at the end of the first half, and though the game remained close, Georgetown never regained the lead. Life sealed the game, 91-86.

Life was led by Greg Brown who scored 20 points and had 6 rebounds, followed by Tay Barber who scored 18 points. Life’s Bryant Dunn scored 15 points and had 2 blocks and 2 steals. As a team, Life averaged 91% from the free throw line, forced 22 turnovers and had 9 steals.

Hollis Giles led for the Georgetown Tigers with 25 points and 3 steals.

Life University and Georgetown College met earlier this season on December 4 in Georgetown, KY. The Running Eagles broke Georgetown’s 88-home winning streak with a last-second lay-up by Ken Moore, for a final score 85-83.

Life University’s next game is on January 18 at the University of Mobile.

#23 Life beats #20 Auburn University Montgomery

#23 Life seals the first game of the Jimmy Faulkner Classic Tournament against #20 Auburn University Montgomery, 96-94. The teams battled back and forth for the lead and after double overtime, AUM missed a long-range shot with 2 seconds left and Life secured the win.

Life's Tay Barber scored 31 points, Ken Moore had 17 points and Bryant Dunn scored 12 points and had 7 rebounds. In total, five of Life's players scored double digits.

AUM's Jonathan Pascley scored 18 points and had 11 rebounds.

In the final game of the tournament, Life will take on Faulkner University on Saturday at 6 p.m. cst.

Running Eagles defeat Oakwood, 104-81

The Running Eagles are off to a good start, boasting a 104-81 win their first game of the season against Oakwood University on Tuesday night. Everyone on the roster scored for Life, and six different players scored 10 or more points. Leading scorers Tay Barber and Ken Moore both contributed 16 points each.

Life led by 21 points at the half, 53-32, and continued to lead by at least 15 points for the rest of the game. “I think our speed and our depth really is our strength, and that allows us to run an effective full-court press,” said Head Coach John Barrett.

The Running Eagles went 41-of-52 from the line and made 50 percent from the field. According to the Marietta Daily Journal, Life “played up to its ranking against Oakwood.” The Running Eagles entered the season sixth in the Sporting News preseason poll and 23^rd in the NAIA Coaches’ Poll.

Life is competing in the Lindenwood University Classic tournament in St. Charles, MO., November 6-7. Their next home game is November 16 against the University of Mobile at 7 p.m. Admission is free and the public is encouraged to attend.