Updated: Feb. 10
There are no guarantees during the Covid-19 era; however, the DI Elite is currently slated to contest its 2021 season. This year is unique because the competition is happening at all, but also because it marks the beginning of a new relationship with the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) and welcomes back a former member.
BYU is a founding member of the DI Elite and featured in the first national championship in spring 2016. After three seasons in the competition, the Cougars self-relegated to Division I and promptly won the 2019 USA Rugby DI Spring Championship. Had the 2020 season proceeded, then BYU would have been heavily favored for a repeat title. But now the Provo, Utah, program is back in the tier that best suits its support, staffing and talented numbers.
BYU, Central Washington University, Life University and Lindenwood University have released their spring 2021 schedules. Penn State University has yet to publish its calendar; however, the majority of fixtures are known. With five teams competing, a third layer of playoffs has been added. The 4th and 5th seeds will contest an April 10 semifinal play-in match, and then the higher seeds will host the subsequent semifinals and national championship.
All of this action comes when the rugby world is starved for games. So it’s particularly fortuitous that the CRAA will live-stream the DI Elite games through For The Fans.
As mentioned, nothing is certain during Covid-19, so the following will update as more fixtures are known or altered.
2021 DI ELITE SCHEDULE*
*Missing: PSU schedule
FEB 20
Life Univ. @ Lindenwood Univ.
FEB 27
BYU @ Central Washington
MARCH 6
Lindenwood @ Life
BYU @ Arizona (f)
Central Washington @ Grand Canyon (f)
MARCH 13
Central Washington @ BYU
MARCH 20
Lindenwood @ Central Washington
Penn State @ Life
MARCH 27
Lindenwood @ BYU
Central Washington @ Life
APRIL 10
#4 seed vs. #5 seed
APRIL 17
Semifinals (hosted by top seed)
MAY 1
National Championship (hosted by top seed)