Army West Point
The Army West Point men’s rugby program has ushered in a new chapter in its storied history as Matt Sherman takes command of the Black Knights for the 2015-16 seasons. Sherman joins the Black Knights staff after a five-year tenure as the Director of Rugby at Stanford. With his hiring, he becomes the first full-time coach in Army West Point men’s rugby history, filling the void after Mike Mahan announced his retirement in May of 2015.
Senior prop Donny Goff will serve as team captain during the 2015-16 season. Army Rugby plays at the Anderson Rugby Complex on the Hudson River in West Point.
Fall 2014
Ranked near the top in all national polls, the Black Knights of West Point were 7-0 in 2014 including wins against Wheeling Jesuit, St. Bonaventure, Penn State and Air Force. Army battled to a thrilling four-point upset victory over Rugby East rival Kutztown on Oct . 25. Army plays Life in one of the most anticipated matches of the 2014 ACRC Championship Bowl Series in Charlotte.
Army Flanker and Team Captain Collum Magee was named named Army Athletic Association Athlete of the Week after scoring two tries (including the game winner) against Kutztown. Magee was named D1A Rugby Player of the Week after the Black Knights' victory over Buffalo. Earlier in the month, Fullback and Vice Captain Logan Pearce was named Army Athletic Association Athlete of the Week when he scored 12 points against Cornell.
Other players to watch in Charlotte include Junior Fullback Andrew Boyer, who converted the game-winning kick against Air Force after starter Pearce was knocked out with an injury, and Wing David Huff, a starter in his freshman year who scored in six of the team's seven contests and leads the team in tries with nine.
Army is a frequent national contender and West Point’s winningest sports team.
Team Vitals
From Coach Mike Mahan
Who are your two best current players?
Collum Magee: #7 Captain
Ben Foley: #5 Lock and primary jumper
How has your team progressed in recent years?
Rugby became a varsity sport at West Point in September 2014.
Quick summary of 2014 season
8-0 undefeated. Won Rugby East Conference 6-0
Who are your main rivals?
Rugby East conference: Penn State and Kutztown
Out of conference: Navy (Scheduled in April 2015) and Air Force (Beat in Fall 2014)
What characterizes your style of play?
Hard nosed and fast moving
Coaches
Head Coach: Mike Mahan
Assistant Coaches: Mike Ziegelhofer, Brent Pafford, Ian Folau, John Banarhall
Captain: Collum Magee
Vice Captain: Logan Pearce