It’s a difficult time to launch a new rugby program, but Christian Brothers University (CBU) is taking the time to rightly position itself as a legitimate option in Memphis, Tenn. Bryan Colbridge was named head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams in late 2019 and continues to recruit and build momentum for the upcoming fall 2020 and spring 2021 seasons.
RELATED: CBU Rugby Prospective Athlete Form
Driven by a swell of donor support, CBU announced in April 2019 that it was adding rugby to its athletic offerings. The program signed its first student-athlete, Freedom Prep’s Nadia Bonner-Burton, shortly afterward but before hiring a head coach. When Colbridge came on board, he brought with him a thorough knowledge of the local rugby scene, serving as a Memphis Inner City Rugby (MICR) coach and teacher at the Soulsville Charter School for years. He has also helped coach the Memphis Tigers as well as the Memphis Blues, the local men’s club. He’s genuinely invested in the health of the CBU rugby program, as it has the potential to benefit those players with whom he’s been working.
Bonner-Burton’s signing
“I’ve been involved in a big way in terms of the rugby community,” Colbridge said. “Youth rugby in Memphis is blossoming pretty tremendously, and Christian Brothers University gives kids an opportunity to attend college that might not have been able to. It’s a small school so it can’t compete with football or the more traditional sports, so rugby was seen as a way to add more value.”
Rugby is completely new to campus – there were no previous teams that came and went – and the program carries the status of a competitive club. The athletics department (and not Student Life or Rec Sports) oversees the non-varsity sport and its members have access to facilities and services that support a student-athlete’s experience. Additionally, every single rugby player is afforded a $4,000 scholarship and eligible for up to $18,000 through merit-based scholarships.
“The biggest thing is our 96% graduation and immediate employment success rate,” said Colbridge, who indicated that local businesses directly communicate their loyalty to the university administration. “Going through college and accruing debt, it’s nice to know that on the other end, you’re nearly guaranteed employment.”
Colbridge has been focusing on numbers. He’s spent countless hours building a coach contact database and social media presence (Instagram @coachcolbridge), all with the aim of promoting CBU’s product to the nation. With just 1,500 undergrad students, CBU is looking at the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) as its future governing body, and has plans to play friendly 7s games in the fall and then hit the tournament circuit in spring 2021 as numbers grow. The goal would be league-ready by fall 2021.
Colbridge indicated that there are a couple of students on-campus who are interested in the rugby team and there are more high schoolers in the pipeline. In addition to Bonner-Burton, the women’s team has announced two incoming freshmen: Aiden Cary of Riverdale, who won the prestigious Trustee Scholarship; and Anaya Neal from Colbridge’s own Soulsville. Once the program is established, Colbridge will start connecting with coaching contacts back in New Zealand and look to extend CBU’s reach overseas.
As for competition, Lee University and UT Knoxville are two of the closest options. The former is a long-time member of NSCRO, which focuses all of its energy on showcasing the talent of small-school athletes and providing more opportunity through all-star teams and nationwide tournaments.
If you’re interested in the CBU rugby program, then visit cbu.edu and/or fill out the prospective athlete form.