What Is Rugby and Is It an NCAA Sport?
Rugby is a sport that has been around for centuries and is currently growing in popularity in the United States. While it may be less popular than football or basketball here, rugby still has its dedicated followers who are passionate about the game. But one question remains – is rugby an NCAA sport?
NCAA Sports: What Does It Include?
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) oversees college sports throughout the United States. The organization regulates a variety of sports, including football, basketball, tennis, soccer, volleyball, and more. Unfortunately, rugby does not make this list as it is not an official NCAA sport yet. This means that while universities can offer clubs and teams for students to join, they cannot compete at any collegiate level sanctioned by the governing body of college athletics – the NCAA..
Growing Popularity of Rugby
Although rugby isn’t officially recognized by the NCAA as an intercollegiate sport just yet – some universities have taken steps to incorporate elements of this fast-growing pastime into their athletic programs. Some schools have started club teams where students compete against other university’s club teams or even some professional sides from time to time. As such, these non-varsity competitions provide plenty of opportunities for talented high school players looking to continue their careers in college, albeit without recognition from big sporting bodies like the NFL or NBA.
Conclusion
Rugby is growing in popularity across North America but, unfortunately, hasn’t made it onto the list of sanctioned sports within collegiate athletics just yet. That said, many universities have started offering club teams that allow amateur athletes to participate at various levels without having to commit fully to varsity competition. Hopefully, with enough backing and interest, rugby could become part of what makes up American collegiate sports soon!