Big Ten Universities

Big Ten Universities is a Division 1-A college rugby conference founded in summer 2012 by ten of the twelve schools that then made up the Big Ten Conference (which has since expanded to 14 members). The Big Ten Universities was formed to improve rugby among the Big Ten schools by capitalizing on traditional Big Ten rivalries, increasing the number of fans, attracting talented high school rugby players, and playing other regional schools, which would create more competitive matchups with traditional rivals.

Big Ten Universities
SportRugby Union
Founded2012 (2012)
Inaugural season2012
CommissionerTom Rooney
No. of teams15s: 8
7s: 9
CountryUnited States
Most recent
champion(s)		15s: Indiana (2022)
7s: Penn State (2023)
Most titles15s: Indiana (6)
7s: Wisconsin (5)
Official websitewww.bigtenrugby.com

Prior to 2012, most of these schools had played in the now defunct Division 1-AA Midwest conference (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin) and the Division 1-AA Mid-Eastern conference (Indiana, Michigan State, Purdue).[1] Ohio State had played in Division 1-A in the East conference.

Organization of college rugby has been evolving since 2009, with many schools organizing into conferences similar to the traditional NCAA conferences. In November 2010, USA Rugby's college management committee set out a plan for transitioning universities to NCAA-style conferences.[2] The purpose of the realignment is for college rugby to capitalize on the marketability of major college conference rivalries.[3]

Members
Institution Location Enrollment Nickname Colors Rugby
since		 Head coach
Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio 66,444 (2017)[4] Buckeyes     Scarlet & Gray 1966 Ron Bowers
Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan 43,159[5] Spartans     Green & White 1964 Tim Britain
Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana 42,464[6] Hoosiers     Cream & Crimson 1962 Eddie Abel
Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana 39,637[7] Boilermakers     Old Gold & Black 1970 Casey Doten
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan 37,197[8] Wolverines     Maize & Blue 1959 (1890) Matt Trenary
University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin 42,595[9] Badgers     Cardinal & White 1962 Kurtis Shepherd
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois 41,918[10] Fighting Illini     Orange & Navy 1963 Joseph Rasmus
University of Notre Dame South Bend, Indiana 12,809[11] Fighting Irish     Blue & Gold 1961[12] Justin Hickey

Notes:

Results
SeasonChampionScoreRunner UpEast ChampWest ChampPlayer of the YearTop Try ScorerTop Points ScorerRef.
Spring 2013Wisconsin30–10Ohio StateOhio StateWisconsinMartin Gianetti (Illinois) 12Lewis Shaw (Indiana) 83[15]
Fall 2013Indiana58–38MichiganIndianaMichiganIsaac Hall (Indiana)Isaac Hall (Indiana) 7J. Heginbottom (Wisconsin) 64[16]
2014Wisconsin34–20Ohio StateOhio StateWisconsin[17]
2015Indiana34–14Ohio StateIndianaWisconsin[18]
2016Indiana72–19Ohio StateIndianaWisconsin[19][20]
2017Indiana38–26Ohio State[21]
2018Wisconsin20–13Indiana[22]
2019Indiana34–7Ohio StateBen Richards (Ohio State)
Case Fleck (Indiana)		Vince Carso (Ohio State)
Russell Lemaster (Indiana)
12		Connor Forrestal (Ohio State) 89[23][24][25]
2020No competition held due to Covid-19
2021Ohio State33–29IndianaOhio StateIndianaVince Carso
(Ohio State)		[26][27]
2022Indiana22–20Ohio StateOhio StateIndianaPeyton Wall (Indiana)[28][29][30]

Regular season

Big Ten 7s

The Big Ten schools have formed the Big Ten 7s tournament. The Big Ten tournament features a round of pool play, followed by knockout play. The winner of the Big Ten 7s earns an automatic berth to the USA Rugby Sevens Collegiate National Championships and to the Collegiate Rugby Championship.

The inaugural Big Ten tournament was held August 2011, and hosted by Wisconsin.[34] Wisconsin and Penn State dominated, each winning its respective pool and advancing in knockout play to the finals, where Wisconsin defeated Penn State 21-14.[34] Wisconsin's victory at the 2011 Big Ten 7s earned it the right to compete for the national championship at the 2011 USA Rugby Sevens Collegiate National Championships.[35]

YearLocationChampionFinal scoreRunner UpThirdTournament MVPLeading Try ScorerRef.
Aug 27, 2011Madison, WIWisconsin21–14Penn StateIowaBen Knight (Wisconsin)--[34]
Nov 10, 2012Columbus, OHWisconsin33–14Penn StateOhio StateTom Hemmings (Wisconsin)Blaze Feury (Penn St)
John Ryberg (Iowa)
7		[36]
Apr 14, 2013Wisconsin–Tom Hemmings (Wisconsin)
Apr 19, 2014Columbus, OHOhio State29–12Iowa
Apr 18, 2015Ann Arbor, MIIndianaIllinoisBryce Campbell (Indiana)[37]
Apr 2–16, 2016Columbus, OH
Wisconsin—Michigan[38][39]
2017Columbus, OHOhio StateWisconsinMichigan[40][41]
Apr 28, 2018Madison, WIWisconsin26–5Ohio State[42]
2019Ohio State31–17Minnesota
Apr 2–16, 2022Champaign, IL
West Lafayette, IN
Ann Arbor, MI		Indiana—Notre DameWill Chevalier (Indiana)[43]
Apr 15, 2023South Bend, INPenn State19–14IndianaNotre DameIan Roudybush (Penn State)[44][45]

See also

References
  1. This Is American Rugby, Tracking College Rugby Changes, July 26, 2012, http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2012/07/tracking-college-rugby-changes.html
  2. Gainline.us, Cal superleague exit spurs conference gains, Dec. 31, 2011, http://www.gainline.us/gainline/2011/12/cal-superleague-exit-spurs-conference-gains.html
  3. Gainline.us, ACC launch unveiled, national league gains steam, March 17, 2010, http://www.gainline.us/gainline/2010/03/acc-launch-unveiled-national-league-gains-steam.html
  4. "Statistical Summary (Autumn 2017) – Enrollment (Autumn 2017)". Ohio State University. Archived from the original on 2018-01-13. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  5. "Michigan State University – Office of the Registrar: Full-Time Students". Archived from the original on 2012-10-20. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
  6. Campus Profile: Student Life: Office of Admissions: Indiana University Bloomington
  7. Purdue University - Student_Enrollment Archived 2011-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "University of Michigan—Total Enrollment Overview" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  9. Facts: : University of Wisconsin–Madison
  10. U of I Admissions: Essential Illinois Facts
  11. "About: Notre Dame at a Glance". University of Notre Dame. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  12. "History". Rugby ND. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  13. "Penn State to Join Big Ten Conference for Sevens Season". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  14. "Big Ten Sets Schedule, Makes Changes". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  15. "Wisconsin vs. Ohio State rugby match". The Herald Independent. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  16. "#18 Indiana Outguns #22 Michigan to Claim Big Ten Title". M rugby. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  17. "Wisconsin Wins Big Ten Final". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  18. "Indiana Wins Big Ten". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  19. "IU Big 10 Champs Again". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  20. "Indiana Puts it All Together". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  21. "Indiana Wins Tight Big 10 Final Over Ohio State". Flo rugby. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  22. "Wisconsin rugby caps off season with Big Ten Championship". Badger Herald. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  23. "Indiana Wins Big 10". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  24. "DIA Stat Leaders 2019-2020". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  25. "Big Ten Makes All-Conference Selections". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  26. "Ohio State Comeback Highlights Big Ten Finals Day". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  27. "Big Ten Names All-Conference Selections". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  28. "Indiana Edges Ohio State to Win Big Ten". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  29. "2022 Big Ten Semi Finals Set". Big ten rugby. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  30. "Big Ten Names All-Conference Selections". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  31. "OSU, Wisconsin to Play for Big 10 Title". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  32. Solomon, Alex. "Indiana penalized for eligibility misconduct". D1A College Rugby. D1A College Rugby.
  33. "2021 Big Ten University XV Standngs". BTU Rugby. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  34. Midwest Rugby, Big 10 Sevens Championship, August 28, 2011, "Big 10 Sevens Championship - 2011". Archived from the original on 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  35. Midwest Rugby, Collegiate Sevens Championships Officially Announced, Sep. 1, 2011, "USA Rugby Press Release - September 1st, 2011". Archived from the original on 2012-05-12. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  36. "Big Ten Universities". BTU Rugby. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  37. "2015 Big Ten Universities Rugby Conference 7s Awards". BTU Rugby. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  38. "College 7s Latest". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  39. "2nd Place Finish at Big Ten 7s Final". M rugby. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  40. "Buckeyes Win Big Ten, Eyes on 7s and 15s Prizes". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  41. "College 7s Update - Qualifiers". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  42. "UW-Madison Men's Rugby Newsletter – May 2018". Rugby Madison. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  43. "Big 10 Names All-Conference Sevens Selections". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  44. "Men's Rugby Undefeated to Win Big Ten Universities 7's Championship". Go PU sports. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  45. "Wolverines Claim Fourth at Big Ten 7s". Mrugby. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
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