The Furman University Rugby Club has announced it has formed a rugby alumni foundation that will work to provide long-term financial stability for the program, mentor and provide career advice to players, and champion Furman’s rugby experience to the University and prospective students.

Trent Emeneker ’02, a former Marine Corps Aviator and graduate of Columbia Business School, will serve as the inaugural president of the Furman University Rugby Foundation. Chris Helps ’ 01, the original eight man, will serve as vice president.

Other members of the eight-member board of directors include Rod Bayless ’99, Nick Kline ’07, Drew Callaghan ’12, Monty Turner’ 11, Dr. Blair Barton ’08 and Tom Mullinax. Furman Head Rugby Coach John Roberts and Team Captain Patrick Musau ’17 will serve as non-voting members of the board. The group will meet annually and will serve terms of 2 and 3 years.

In accordance with an agreement with Furman University, gifts to the organization will be designated to a University rugby fund. Disbursements from that fund will benefit the Furman Rugby Team.

This is a hugely important move for the Furman program, which is now 18 years old and remains one of the best small college programs in the nation. Furman was an all-time record of 165-60-1, and won three small college national titles.

For more on this development, see the full announcement here.