Clemson Rugby Coach named All-American Coach

May 11, 2004, 11:45 AM

[Eagle-news] All-Americans Appoint Clemson Head Coach

(Boulder, CO) 10 May 2004 -- The 2004 Collegiate All-American coach is
Jim Gaine of Clemson University, USA Rugby announced today. One of
the rising coaching talents in American rugby, the 28-year-old Gaine
led
Clemson to a 20-2 record in just his second year as the Tigers head
coach.

"Jim is a buttoned-up young coach with a long coaching runway in front
of
him"said Jack Clark, All-American Manager. "He will offer a real
contribution to the team, while pocketing a high performance experience
for his own development."

Gaine, whose first official duties will be to lead the Selection
Advisory
Panel at the Collegiate All-Star Championships (CASC) in Boulder, CO
next month. "I am proud and honored to be representing USA Rugby in
this capacity," said Gaine. "I anticipate a great squad of young
talented
athletes this year, and I look forward to adding to their development
as
elite athletes and All-Americans."

As a player, Gaine started for the Clemson Tigers and was a South
Select
starter in 1997 and 1998 until a career ending injury propelled him
into the
coaching ranks. Gaine started as an assistant on the Clemson Staff in
1999, and took over the head coaching duties in the Fall of 2002. He
has
also served on the Georgia Rugby Union U19s staff in 2003.

While the All-Americans are expected to release detailed information on
their 2004 schedule shortly, they will play a two match series against
the
Canadian Under 21s surrounding the Rugby Canada National
Championship Festival (Monday August 9, 2004 - Saturday August 14,
2004). Other key staff appointments have been confirmed with John
McNamara to again serve as squad manager after working as squad
manager in 2003 to New Zealand and assistant manager on the 2002
All-American tour to South Africa.

"We initiated the College Commitment because we saw the college game
as being the most fertile area for the development of players who might
some day move on to the Eagles," Said USA Rugby CEO Doug Arnot.
"Playing for the All-Americans is a big step for a player, who hopes to
move in that direction. We see the link between the College Commitment
and the All-American program to be a key and growing component of
National Team development.

The All-American program's history stretches back to the very
beginnings
of US rugby. The American Universities side toured New Zealand in 1910,
and the All-American team contributed the bulk of players to the gold
medal-winning 1920 and 1924 Olympic sides.

In the mid-80's the program was reconstituted and, under Clark's
direction,
the All-Americans next played an outside opponent in 1987, defeating
Dutch Students. Last year, the All-Americans toured to New Zealand
coached by Rob Holder (0-2), in 2003 the team went to South Africa
coached by Larry Naifeh (2-1) and in 2001 to Ireland under head coach
Tom Billups (2-0).

The All-American team, which is sponsored by Barbarian Rugby Wear,
has long been a precursor to international honors, somewhat like a U-23
or U-21 national side in traditional rugby nations. Former Eagle
captain
Dave Hodges (Occidental) was a rugby All-American in 1989 and 1990
and, most recently, players such as Northern Iowa's Paul Emerick and
BYU's Kimball Kjar have graduated to the Eagles after strong showings
with the Collegiate All-Americans.

Note: Five Players from Clemson had allready been invited to tryout for the all-american team.

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Clemson Rugby is back on top.
Dailypaul.com

Clemson Rugby Coach named All-American Coach

Been on donor board for over an hour..along with other news.

Its official...

does the NCAA even have varsity rugby?***

Yes, Cal is the Boston Celtics of NCAA Rugby.***

Congratulations Coach Gaines !!! 14-0 in fall 2003

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