S.C. Army National Guard sponsored Rugby Team receives resolution at State House

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brad Mincey | Rugby players from Gilbert High School were honored at the State House for winning their third State Rugby Championship.  

COLUMBIA, GILBERT, SC, UNITED STATES

05.13.2010

Story by Sgt. Brad Mincey 

108th Public Affairs Detachment

COLUMBIA, S.C. – More than 25 rugby players from Gilbert High School were honored with a State of South Carolina resolution on May 13 recognizing them for winning their third state rugby championship.

Head coach Kevin Frontz accepted the framed resolution document from Representative Kit Spires of District 96 at the State House.

South Carolina Army National Guard recruiting is in partnership with all S.C. rugby teams. Through this program, the S.C. Army National Guard helped supply equipment such as jerseys, shorts, socks and goal pads. Not only is the National Guard logo prominently displayed on the front and back of their jerseys, some teams have Guards members as coaches.

Major Kim Pipkin, Officer Strength Manager for recruiting said, "I love being involved with this program because the guys love it and it's a great way to get them involved with a team. It helps keep kids off the streets."

Pipkin said having the Guard logo displayed has brought a lot of attention to the S.C. National Guard, adding a lot of areas in South Carolina didn't have a lot of visibility to the National Guard. The rugby program helped boost notoriety.

Gilbert High School has won the State Rugby Championship for three of the last four years. Although they haven't won at the Nationals, they finished in the top five for the Southern region each year.

A few years ago, South Carolina. didn't have any high school rugby teams, but in just four years, that number has increased to 12 teams. For more information on the rugby program in S.C., please visit www.schsr.com

• Date Taken: 05.13.2010
• Date Posted: 05.13.2010 20:28
• Story ID: 49623
• Location: COLUMBIA, GILBERT, SC, US