The New Era: Rugby's Next Generation

​The Norco College rugby team opened the season with their first Division I game against the University of California, San Diego. They won 59-14.

How does a Division II (D-II) sports program that launched at the end of 2019 become National Champions, and now a Division I (D-I) team three years later?

Coach Hudspeth shared, “Our team is comprised of young talented scholar athletes. Since we started the team, our overall record is 15-2, which includes a Division II National Championship.”

The Norco College rugby team formed in 2019 with local players from around the community. In their first year as a team, they were League Champions. In their second year, they were the National Champions, beating out the University of Dallas, in Dallas, Texas, and finishing the season undefeated.

Legend has it, that it was the summer of 2019 when Hunter Hudspeth, 2022 team captain, and his dad Coach Hudspeth came into Dean Hartley's office. They requested permission to create a rugby club, since it could not be an “official sport.” Concerned with the safety of such a club, Dean Hartley was hesitant, but they convinced him with this statement: “When we invite a team to our campus, we feed them, we host them. The culture of rugby and its players is humble and polite.” Dean Hartley said this was, “What Norco College was all about. I wanted this culture at Norco College.”

Hunter Hudspeth went on to say the “secret sauce” to success was the team's bond. He noted that most of the players grew up together and knew how to play well together. Not to mention, “We are the most athletic team in the league.”

2022 brought Norco College its first National Championship, in any sport.

Fast forward to 2023, and the Norco College Rugby team is D-I, playing schools like Claremont College, Arizona State University, University of San Diego, and MiraCosta College. Coach Hudspeth shared, “We started this season strong with a big win against the University of California, San Diego. We are truly honored to represent Norco College and all of its core commitments to include mutual respect, collegiality, inclusiveness, innovation, and quality.”

In addition to the aforementioned returning players, Norco College has some extremely skilled first year scholar athletes, who will play a large role in rugby's future success and help continue to build the program.

Two players shared their experiences with the sport.

Jayvin Saunders-Shumate: Jayvin has played rugby for 6 years and was part of the national championship team last year. In the game against UCSD he had 18 tackles and was named player of the game.

Shallom Soentpiet: Shallom is a freshman player who plays center and played for the Foothill Rebels prior to Norco College.

When asked how rugby has changed his life, here is what Jayvin had to say, “I feel like this game has changed a lot of our lives over the years, from playing with one another in high school to become Division II National Champions and now competing in Division I. I can see this team growing stronger and stronger with the talent we have.”

Shallom shared, “You really don't see guys over 200 pounds running and conditioning like they are soccer players. It's really rare and that's how all rugby players are built, because we can't stop, the play is constant. I would like to see our rugby team in the future as league champs and to be Division I National Champions. I want to continue to play with Norco and try to get on a pro development team one day.”

Norco College rugby also has one international player from South Africa, who has not only proved himself to be a leader on the field but is now a leader with the Associated Students of Norco College and a student worker in the President's Office. His name is Jacob Nkwamba.

Hearing the students' stories and their success on and off the field it is clear why Dean of Student Life, Dr. Mark Hartley shared, “This team represents the best of Norco College: Smart, Fierce, Courteous, and Professional.”

“We started this season strong” and are looking to finish strong! - Coach Hudspeth​

If you are interested in learning more about Norco College and the Rugby club please contact Dr. Mark Hartley, Dean of Student Life by email or 951-738-7758.

To see the rugby game schedule visit: https://athletics.norcocollege.edu/sports/mrugby/2022-23/schedule​