In the midst of the confusion about what is DIA and what is DIAA and what DI teams that don’t play in either are thinking, other programs have to make tough decisions.

For UC Davis, which long considered itself once of the standard-bearers of high-level college rugby in the USA, the drop down to DIAA for the 2014-15 season was one of those tough decisions. It was made, in part, because the way some college teams are put together has created a gap. Davis Rugby may have history, but the Aggies program isn’t varsity, elevated club, or some other status that provides funding and resources. At the same time, UC Davis is a respect university in a region rich in high school rugby talent. Dropping down to DIAA just made sense.

Once at the right level, the Aggies felt they could compete, and compete they did. Of their league and playoff games this season, the first game (league opener against Chico State) and the last game (DIAA final against Central Florida) were close. Every other game was a convincing UC Davis win.

That, said Head Coach Mike Purcell, was simply because “the guys player their guts out.”

In unseating two-time defending DIAA champions UCF, UC Davis brought some glory back to campus.

“We just had a really good team of players that worked really hard together,” said Purcell. 

“This is a good program, and I am in it for the long haul. I want to coach and still feel that this program is coming back. But we have to build alumni support and build our reputation on campus.”

Davis has produced All Americans before and can do so again. They cone their championship on the backs of some talented, and extremely hard-working players. None more so than prop and captain Hayden Meyers. With locks Auria Torshizi and Ilaitia Namatasere, they had a strong tight five, serving up ball to a capable backline in senior scrumhalf Josh Campos, junior flyhalf Josh Farnsworth, centers Yutaro Kobiashi, and Nate Oliveira, and wing Brian Albin.

Farnsworth and Kobiashi return for another year, and there are other young players, such as big, lanky freshman Harrison Morrow, and young Ian McCaffrey.

“We have players with a lot of potential,” said Purcell. “This was a really good group of players, but what we want to do is build from this.”