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Dartmouth Men's Rugby Signs Former Eagle Kyle Sumsion as Head Coach

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Dartmouth Men's Rugby Signs Former Eagle Kyle Sumsion as Head Coach

Kyle Sumsion, left, patrolling the sideline with Matt Sherman as coaches of West Point. Adam Smith photo.

Hanover, NH—Dartmouth Athletics and Recreation has announced today that Kyle Sumsion has been hired as the next Head Coach of the storied Dartmouth Men’s Rugby program.

Sumsion, just the fourth full-time Big Green head coach in the program's 72-year history, comes to New Hampshire from Army West Point, where he spent the past four years as the Cadets’ Associate Head Coach and Director of Operations.

Senior Associate Athletic Director Joann Brislin is eager to welcome Sumsion to the Big Green family.

“Kyle is a great coach, highly organized, and we are thrilled to have him mentor our students at Dartmouth," said Brislin. "He is first and foremost a strong leader who understands the needs of our team members as Dartmouth students and rugby players. I look forward to working with him and his staff.”

Sumsion arrives at “the Woods” after having a wealth of success both as a player and a coach. He was a five-time All-American while at Brigham Young University where he twice served as a team captain, helping lead the Cougars to a DIA championship in 2012 and three Varsity Cup championships.

Sumsion appeared six times for the USA National Team and was captain of the Sacramento PRO team and then Major League Rugby's Houston Sabercats. Sumsion also recently played professional rugby with Rugby New York, alongside Dartmouth alumnus  and fellow Eagle, Nate Brakeley.

After earning his Bachelors of Life Sciences at BYU, the American Fork, Utah native received his MBA from Lindenwood University Belleville while serving as Admissions Counselor and Assistant Coach.

In his time at Army West Point, Sumsion’s primary responsibilities have included planning and executing a varsity rugby program under the tutelage of head coach Matt Sherman, as well as recruiting, player management, social media, alumni and parent relations, film analysis, and serving as camp director. 

Most recently, Sumsion was named head coach of the USA Men’s U20s national team.

“As a family we are extremely excited to join the rich legacy of the DRFC and Dartmouth College," said Sumsion. "We are grateful to Joann Brislin, Dartmouth College, the DRFC Alumni and everyone involved with the team for entrusting us and bringing us into the Dartmouth community. We are looking forward to moving to the Upper Valley and joining the Big Green family.

‘I am honored to join such a storied organization and team. The DRFC has a rich legacy of producing great teams, great players and great men and as the coach my aim is to continue and build upon that legacy.”

Kyle, along with his wife Halle and their children Leo, Luna, Lively, and Lincoln, will arrive in Hanover this spring.

Meanwhile, Army will begin a search immediately for a new assistant coach to begin this summer. Interested applicants can contact Matt Sherman at matthew.sherman@westpoint.edu.