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The Cougars staff has set aside Tuesday, August 31st and Wednesday, September 1st to evaluate all players interested in walking-on to the 2011 squad.
Times and location for both dates are from 5-7pm at Helaman Field (http://map.byu.edu #43).
With USA Rugby’s recent announcement of the newly formed DI Premier League and BYU’s inclusion into the Western Conference of the league, the Cougars are poised for an exciting 2011 season.
The excitement, BYU head coach David Smyth says, will be for a regular schedule of top-flight college rugby across the country.
“We’re optimistic about the new league,” Smyth says. “Although some things need some fine-tuning with [the league] we’re excited to have some of the best teams in the country playing against each other every single week.”
The Cougars finished the 2010 season as runners-up to Cal after taking home the school’s first ever national title in 2009.
BYU also were runners-up from 2006-08 and are optimistic that some fresh ‘untapped’ talent, coupled with the returning players and new recruits, will give them a chance at another championship next season.
“It’s not common practice to start on the 1st XV right away as a walk-on here at BYU,” said current assistant coach Kimball Kjar, himself a former walk-on, “but there’s always a couple guys who can make an impact over the course of the season and we’re always looking for athletes we can develop.”
Notable BYU walk-on players who went on to international and other rugby honors include Salesi Sika, a former USA Eagle and professional rugby player in France, Jeff Hullinger, former USA Eagle, and Steve St Pierre, current USA Eagle pool player and 2009 National Championship captain.
If there are any questions please contact head coach David Smyth at david_smyth@byu.edu