Sep 29, 2020

Life University

General School Information

Founded in Marietta, Georgia in 1974, Life University seeks to empower students with the education, skills and values necessary for career success as well as life fulfillment. Life University offers 15 undergraduate degrees, including Business Administration, Computer Information Management, and health science disciplines like Biology, Psychology, Nutrition and Exercise Science, which serve as precursors to advanced degrees such as the Doctor of Chiropractic program. Life University has four master’s degree programs including Sport Health Science, Nutrition, Positive Psychology and Athletic Training as well as one doctoral degree in Chiropractic.

Life University is one of the few schools in the country to have dedicated rugby facilities, including two rugby pitches. Life University is also one of the few supported programs that has the opportunity to provide grant-in-aid scholarships toward tuition, athletic housing and meals to qualified rugby players. In the 35 years since the school’s first rugby team took shape, the program has become a true powerhouse. Life University now has collegiate programs for men and women, one national men’s club-level program, and competitive 7s programs.

In 2019, the men’s collegiate team played in their seventh straight D1A national championship match, defeating Cal in the final. The men are reigning back to back D1A national champions and have produced the most MLR players of any US collegiate program. In five seasons as a varsity program, the women’s collegiate team has made the final four every year in 15s national competition, and have made the D1 Elite Championship Final the past two years in a row. In 7s the women won the 2016 USA Rugby D1 Sevens National Championship, and won the Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s crown back to back in 2016 and 2017.

Life University has produced multiple players in the mix for the US National Teams and USA Rugby recently named it as a regional Olympic Development Academy. On the men’s side, four current or former Life University players suited up for Team USA this past year, and three of them were on the roster for the 2019 Rugby World Cup: Cam Dolan, Dylan Fawsitt, Shaun Davies, and A.J. MacGinty. Two current men are on the USA men’s 7s team preparing for the Tokyo Olympics, Cody Melphy and Harley Wheeler. Additionally, numerous Running Eagles play for professional teams in Major League Rugby. On the women’s side, two-time All-American Nicole Strasko has earned caps in both 15s and 7s and Kaitlyn Broughton and Megan Rom have been capped for the US in 15s. In total, the Life University teams have combined for 33 National Team players, over 60 Collegiate All-Americans, and 12 National Championships.

If you’re looking for one of the most comprehensive rugby experiences available in the U.S., look no further than Life University.