Mission

Founded in 2017 by Trent Emeneker ’02, the Furman Rugby Foundation includes former players, parents, and friends who share a common passion for a program that is grounded in sportsmanship, well-drilled play, and character development. Our four-pronged mission is simple.

• Ensure that Furman University Rugby Club continues to thrive by nurturing and enhancing the relationships between those who wore purple on the pitch and in the stands.

• Mentor our student players and young alumni by providing career advice, counsel, and opportunities.

• Advocate, advance, and champion the value of the Furman Rugby experience.

• Nurture a culture of community service within the team, rugby alumni, and friends of the program.

Goals

05. resource development
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We will ensure the continued success and future of Furman Rugby through gifts of our time and treasure.

Our Story

Founded in 1998, the Furman Rugby Program has developed into one of the nation’s top college programs.

Over two decades the men’s program has amassed a 205-70-1 record in 15s. The team has collected three small college national championships and finished runner up twice. Other accolades include Division II national finalist, five south championships and two Southern Rugby Conference Championships.

The team was founded by John Roberts, who worked in advancing roles in Furman’s Office of Communications from 1996 to 2017, and Marc Roberts ’98. At the time, Marc was playing rugby for the Greenville Griffins, a local men’s team. John was a prominent member of the club. In 1997, Marc asked John if he would consider coaching a team if he were able to collect enough prospects.

The first practice was in fall 1997 with about 25 students participating. Later, Danielle Snoddy ’00 asked John if he would also coach a women’s team. Within a month, two teams and one club were formed.

In 2003, the Furman men’s team arrived on the national scene. That year, the Paladins collected their first small college national championship which led to back-to-back-to-back national championships. Since that time Furman has enjoyed continues success on the pitch. Some of the program’s greatest gains, however, have been off the field, helping to grow the sport in the Southeast through event hosting, summer camps and rugby advocacy.

In 2018, Roberts stepped down as coach to pursue a professional opportunity. Coach Mike Miller, who played rugby at Sam Houston State, Greenville and Charlotte, assumed head coach duties. Coach Miller had joined the team in 2014 as head backs coach. Coach Miller will continue to guide the program forward with big goals for the future.