A gift from the Smolka family – the largest single gift to USC Rugby – will allow the program to extend rugby scholarships to freshmen next fall.
Currently, the Jeffery S. Smolka Endowed Scholarship fund extends sophomores, juniors, and seniors near in-state tuition costs to out-of-state students. Recipients of the award must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and be a full-time student.
This new gift allows the program to extend in-state tuition costs to three out of state accepted freshman each year. The gift was made possible through the philanthropy of Janet Smolka, the mother of assistant coach Jeff Smolka.
Jeff founded the Carolina Men’s Rugby Endowment in 2014 with a $25,000 donation. The next year, he established the Jeffrey S. Smolka Endowed Scholarship program with another $25,000 donation. To date, the Smolka family has donated more than $160,000 to fund rugby scholarships. More than 60 Gamecock rugby players have benefitted from the program.
Financial aid extended through the endowment has exceeded $900,000.
“The Carolina Rugby program has meant so much to our family,” said Janet Smolka. “There is so much energy around the program. They are devoted to developing fine young men. I am grateful that our gift will give them the resource they need to continue to build the program.”
Head Coach John Roberts said the flexibility to offer rugby scholarships will be a phenomenal recruiting incentive in attracting talented high school players.
“Recruiting is the life-blood of our program. And it’s full-court press. Our parents and players are our best recruiters because they are authentic ambassadors,” said Roberts. “This latest gift from the Smolka Family will allow us to recruit some of finest U.S. high school rugby athletes. And we are eternally grateful for their philanthropy.”
To learn more, visit our Smolka Scholarships page.
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