News
Recent Announcments!
2022 USA D1A Rugby All-Americans!
The All-American list has been a long standing honor for any college rugby player. This award signifies the best College Rugby player for each of their respective positions. The College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) announced their All-American list for the 2021-2022 Season. 13 different Gaels made the list this year. This is the most out of any other college rugby program! Congratulations to our players for their hard work and determination of the past year!
Chase Jones - 2022 Major League Rugby Draft
Alumni, Chase Jones was selected in the first round of the 2022 Major League Rugby College Draft. He was the 6th pick overall! Chase graduated with a Masters in Business Administration in 2022 after 5 years! He had a long fulfilling career as a Gael where he had immediate impact on the team. Chase had a career of many different playoff wins, eventually bringing his team to the National Championship in 2022! During his five years here at Saint Mary's Chase played Lock and Flanker. He went on to be drafted as a lock for Nola Gold! Congratulations and good luck Chase!
The Craig Sweeney Award is given to those U.S.A Eagles who have exemplified great character on and off the rugby pitch. This award is named in honor of Craig Sweeney who earned four caps and was named captain in the very first test matches for the United States Eagles. Soon after, Mr. Sweeney passed away suddenly due to a fatal heart attack.
Tim O’Brien - Craig Sweeney 2022 Award Recipient
Head Coach Tim O’Brien once again had a very successful year leading the Saint Mary’s Gaels to the USA Rugby National Championship, falling just short to Army. Tim, who was inducted into the USA Rugby Hall of Fame in 2017 was named the recipient of the 2022 Craig Sweeney Award. Tim was recognized, along with the 2022 Hall of Fame class, on July 18th at the Infinity Park Event Center in Glendale, Colorado. Tim O’Brien continues to have a long and successful rugby career, winning numerous awards and recognitions for his amazing efforts in growing the sport of rugby in the United States of America. After earning his USA Eagle caps in 1980-1983 he was inducted into the USA Rugby Hall of Fame in 2017. In 2001, Tim O'Brien brought a fun, open and fast paced playing style of rugby to Saint Mary’s College. O’Brien landed the Gaels to the USA National Championship in 2013-2016 and again in 2022, winning the 15’s National Title in 2014, 2015, and 2017 along with the 7’s National title in 2016. Under Coach Tim O’Brien, we have had great success and honorability within our program in his 20+ years as Head Coach. We are forever grateful that he is a Gael! Congratulations, Coach Tim O’Brien!
Tavite Lopeti - Rookie of The Year
After graduating from Saint Mary’s in 2021, Tavite Lopeti has gone on to have immediate success in the rugby world. Lopeti was drafted third overall in the 2021 Major League Rugby as a center for the Seattle Seawolves. After being a vital player throughout his career at Saint Mary’s we had no doubts of his capabilities in the MLR.
After his rookie season for Seattle and a heartbreaking loss in the finals, Tavite was selected as MLR’s 2022 Rookie of the Year. Along with success in the MLR, Lopeti has made a big impact on the USA Eagles. Earning his first cap in 2021 against Canada, adding 6 more in the following year. Lopeti and the USA Eagles will get one last chance to make the 2023 Rugby World Cup in November. Congratulations, Tavite Lopeti!
