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NCR Collegiate All-Star Team Names, Staffs Named

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NCR Collegiate All-Star Team Names, Staffs Named

And the teams get logos.

(NCR Release) — Eight regional All Star teams from across the nation will compete in National Collegiate Rugby’s All Star Shield Challenge. The competition will be held January 15-16 at the Houston Sabercats’ AVEVA Stadium.

This unique All Star event includes the best players from across all men’s divisions, including Division I, Division II and Small College. Over 300 players, representing 100 schools, were selected based on regional tryouts and coach nominations.


Great Lakes Thunderbirds

Head Coach: John Harley, Marian
Assistant: Emil Walton, Louisville
Assistant: Mike Geibel, Wheeling
Assistant: Sanders Slevatz, Western Michigan


 


New England Independents (Red)

Head Coach: Ed Tubridy, Northeastern 
Management/Assistant: Tom Clark, Mystic River


 


New England Independents (White)

Head Coach: Stephen Diamantopoulos, UMass-Lowell 
Assistant: Alex Broussard, Tufts
Assistant: Matt Charest, UMass-Lowell


 


Mid-Atlantic Sharks

Head Coach: John Solomon, Catholic 
Assistant: Steve Nabors, Catholic 
Assistant: Brad Burns,
Unaffiliated Management: James Conrad, Christendom


 


Midwest Barbarians

Head Coach: Jeramy Katchuba, Minnesota-Duluth 
Assistant: Joe Lippert, Iowa Central
Assistant: Hamish McCallion, Iowa Central


 


Pacific Coast Grizzlies 
(includes greater West Region)

Head Coach: Jeremy Ognall, Claremont 
Assistant: Scott Bracken, Claremont 
Assistant: Jake Nelson, Glendale Raptors 
Management: Dave Buckey, Cal Maritime


 


Southeast Bears

Head Coach: Nick Whitrow, Belmont Abbey 
Assistant/Management: Tyree Reed, Queens 
Assistant: Genaro Fessia, UNC-Charlotte 
Assistant: Lauren Judkins, Lee
Assistant: Nick Prather, Auburn


 


Tri-State Vikings

Head Coach: Dave Chapman, Colgate 
Assistant: James Kimberly, Marist
Assistant: Danny Neighbour, St. Bonaventure


 

 

The All Star teams will compete in pool play and then knockout rounds leading to the Shield Challenge championship. MLR representatives will be in attendance over the weekend to identify future professional athletes.

In addition to the All Star competition, five Rising Star teams will also compete for a championship. The Rising Stars, consisting of emerging all-star caliber players, pull 120 players from over 40 schools.

“The All Star Shield Challenge brings together the best players in college rugby," Jeremy Treece, NCR CEO, commented. "We are excited to give these talented student athletes a platform to showcase their talents and compete alongside other top-level players.”

The full player rosters will be released during the week of January 7.