Premier In-Season Competition Features Dartmouth, Brown, Notre Dame, and UCLA
19 May — Following yesterday’s landmark announcement regarding the future of UCLA Rugby, National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) is proud to officially launch the Scholars Cup, a new in-season competition sponsored by FirstPoint USA. This elite tournament brings together four of the most storied rugby programs in the United States: Dartmouth College, Brown University, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
The FirstPoint USA Scholars Cup will be operated by National Collegiate Rugby as an additional fan and student athlete experience during the XVs season. This partnership ensures that the competition is managed with the highest standards of collegiate rugby governance while providing a unique platform for these premier institutions to showcase their talent on a national stage.
“This competition perfectly embodies our mission: uniting the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions with elite-level rugby under the highest standards of collegiate governance. We are deeply grateful to FirstPoint USA for their visionary partnership and look forward to an outstanding fall season.” said Jeremy Treece, CEO NCR.
With FirstPoint USA’s title sponsorship, the competition celebrates the intersection of world-class academic excellence and elite-level collegiate rugby. By matching Ivy League prowess with the national athletic traditions of Notre Dame and UCLA, the FirstPoint USA Scholars Cup establishes a new gold standard for the student-athlete experience at the world's most prestigious academic institutions.
FirstPoint USA, NCR’s Official College Pathway Partner, will support the Scholars Cup as part of its wider commitment to helping aspiring rugby student-athletes access academic and athletic opportunities within the US college system.
"We are thrilled to sponsor a competition that mirrors our mission at FirstPoint USA," said Andrew Kean, CEO of FirstPoint USA. "These four institutions represent the pinnacle of academic prestige and sporting integrity. The FirstPoint USA Scholars Cup provides a platform for these student-athletes to compete at the highest level while highlighting the incredible opportunities available within the American collegiate rugby pathway."
Justin Hickey, Head Coach of Notre Dame, added: “The Scholars Cup is rooted in the values that make the college game unique. Through the National Collegiate Rugby operation, our student-athletes have the opportunity to test themselves against elite programs nationwide, uniting institutions that value excellence on the athletic field, in the classroom, and in leadership development. We're honored and grateful to be included and look forward to the Fall.”
Kyle Sumsion, Head Coach of Dartmouth, stated: “The prestige of the Scholars Cup is exactly what collegiate rugby needs. It brings together like-minded institutions and creates a season-long narrative that our alumni and student bodies can truly get behind.”
The competition schedule is nearly finalized and will be released in the upcoming weeks. All matches will be integrated within the teams’ regular season games with the final weekend slated for November 6. All matches will be live streamed by the host club.
About National Collegiate Rugby:
National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) is the amateur athletic association for collegiate rugby in the United States, representing 20,000 members across 685 men’s and women’s college teams. NCR proudly operates premier national championship events annually, including the Men’s and Women’s XVs, National 7s, and the Collegiate All-Star Tournament. Learn more at ncr.rugby.
About FirstPoint USA:
FirstPoint USA is an international sports recruitment and university placement agency supporting talented student-athletes who aspire to study and compete in the United States. Founded in 2001, FirstPoint USA provides expert guidance across recruitment, admissions, eligibility, scholarship strategy, and university placement, helping athletes and families navigate the US college sport pathway. FirstPoint USA is NCR’s Official College Pathway Partner. Learn more at firstpointusa.com.
