NC State represented on USA Rugby Honor Roll

Three members of NC State’s club rugby team have been recognized by USA Rugby as top scholar-athletes during the 2014-15 school year. Lauren Pederson, Elizabeth Cook and Kathleen Roche received this distinction alongside more than 200 students across the nation.

The program’s criteria requires success in balancing a starting role on the rugby team while maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students from various majors and minors across the country received this recognition in correspondence to USA Rugby’s collegiate commitment to a winning mentality on and off the field. Hard work, determination and a passion for the game led our Wolfpack representatives to national acclaim.

2015 marks USA Rugby’s fifth year of recognizing scholar-athletes across the country. More than 1,000 college rugby players have received this distinction since its inception in 2011. This year is NC State’s first year of receiving such national distinction, inspiring a desire for even more. According to team member Kathleen Roche, in order to maintain this level of success, NC State’s rugby team lives by the mantra “students first, athletes second”.

When asked about the team ethic that spawned their success, Kathleen Roche responded, “We always emphasize that we are students first, athletes second. Players are always allowed to miss practice or games if they need to complete school work or study for upcoming exams and are not punished because of it. Because of this leniency, our team is able to keep up grades while still being involved in the club.”