Members of the Carolina Rugby Foundation will have an opportunity to elect five positions to the Foundation board this month. In every phase, the Carolina Rugby Foundation and the University of South Carolina Men’s Rugby Club have achieved historic milestones over the past 12 months. Working together we have:
 

• Raised nearly $250,000 to support the Carolina Rugby Endowment.

• Expanded the Jeffrey S. Smolka and John S. Roberts Endowed Rugby Fund through continued support from the family of Jeffery S. Smolka.

• Worked with the University to allow these scholarships to be extended to incoming freshmen and international students.

• Published the Foundation’s second annual report.

• Provided scholarship assistance to 32 current players through the Smolka Scholarship program.

• Hosted alumni outreach events in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

• With support from rugby parents Bill and Cindy McKernan established a Student Experience Fund that pays for charter bus travel, away team meals and six on-campus dinners for coaches and members of the team.

• Executed in-person recruiting trips to New Jersey, Connecticut and Philadelphia.

• Raised more than $12,000 though our Rent-a-Rugger program that puts our players to work in the local community to raise funds team expenses.

• Raised nearly $100,000 during the weeks after our “With You Weekend”.

• Raised $43,212 during Give4Garnet, the university’s annual giving day. A record 201 donors made a gift during this campaign.

• Received commitments from 15 high school rugby recruits who will join the team in August.

• Captured the program’s third 7s conference championship and advanced to nationals where the team competed in National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Tournament’s Premiere Division.

• Captured the second consecutive “Palmetto Cup” last fall by defeating Clemson in a 15’s match. It was our first win at Clemson in more than 15 years.

• Promoted and worked in cooperation with the USC team to raise nearly $6,000 to support well-being initiatives and Columbia-area adopt-a-pet initiatives.

• Finished third in SCR 15s and ranked in top 12 among NCR among Division IAA programs.

• Organized and hosted a wildly successful inaugural Hall of Fame event that attracted 150 alumni, players and friends.
   

In the coming year, the board has identified the following priorities:
 

• Ensure the success of the With You campaign by encouraging friends and alumni to make monthly gifts to the South Carolina Rugby Endowment.

• Continue to devote time, energy and financial resources to our annual fall gathering and Hall of Fame event to unite the Carolina rugby community and inspire philanthropy.

• Continue to nurture a positive relationship with USC leadership.

• Continue to work with University leadership to identify opportunities for an on-campus rugby field and clubhouse that would be shared with other club sports.
   

“This is an exciting time to join the foundation,” says Robert Balmer, chairman of the Foundation.  “There is a lot of energy, and we are seeking board members who are willing to commit their time, treasure and who are committed to advancing our beloved Gamecock rugby program.”

Current board members include:
Chairman: Robert Balmer
Vice Chairman: Phil Harris
Secretary: Wyatt Shepherd
Treasurer: Bill Rhoden
Sergeant at Arms: Chris Murphy
 

After four years of leading the Foundation to unprecedented gains, Chairman Robert Balmer will be stepping down as Chairman to focus on developing youth rugby in the Columbia area.
 

In appreciation for Robert’s stalwart achievements, the board has created a Chairman Emerita position for him. As Chairman Emerita, Robert may participate in board meetings and functions in an advisory, non-voting manner.

The Board has also proposed amending the foundation by-laws to extend board service terms to two years. Per our by-laws, Foundation members must approve this measure. This proposal will be put to a vote during our election process in the form of a referendum.
 

Save Robert, all members have agreed to stand for re-election. The Foundation welcomes nominees for all positions.

According to by laws any member of the University of South Carolina rugby community may submit a nomination. Only members of the Carolina Rugby Foundation (those who have made a gift to the Foundation or the Rugby Endowment during the past year) may vote on the nominations.

If you would like to become a voting member and have not made a gift, you may do so by visiting this site and make your gift before June 20.

If you would like to nominate a candidate, please send the nominee’s name, positions you are nominating him/her for and the nominee’s contact information by completing the form below by June 20.

All nominees will be notified on June 20 and have five days to reject or accept the nomination. Voting will be held June 25-July 5 with the winners declared July 6.

If you are not interested in serving on the board but would like to devote your time to the foundation in another way, please contact Coach Roberts.