The National Collegiate Rugby Griffins Men’s 7s program makes its debut in America’s premier domestic invitational, Rugbytown 7s, this weekend at Infinity Park in Glendale, CO. The Griffins were a late addition to the storied tournament, filling in for an international side that couldn’t make it.
This will be the second outing of the summer for the brand-new program, which went undefeated in winning the open division of the Algarve 7s in Portugal in June. The much-changed squad for Rugbytown will be led by an entirely new coaching staff.
Denver University’s Cody Melphy, an Olympian and Rugbytown champion as a player, is the head coach in Glendale, with assistance from Ethan Pougnet, a Premier Rugby 7s coach for the Locals and Team.
Only two players from the championship squad in Portugal will be on the field in Colorado – Queens University speedster Everett Boyd and Wheeling forward Michael Muleya. Boyd led the Griffins in tries in Algarve with eight.
11 will earn their first Griffins caps at Rugbytown, with 17 athletes brought into camp. 13 will be named to the tournament roster, with a 14th as injury reserve.
The Griffins are paired in Pool A with the defending and three-time champion Denver 7s Selects, R10 Selects and the SoCal Griffins. They open their account Friday at 1 p.m. MT against SoCal, followed by Denver and 7s Eagle Lance Williams at 4:30 p.m.
Pool play concludes Saturday at 1 p.m. against R10, featuring Brown All-American-turned Rookie of the Year Junior Gafa. The top two finishers in each pool advance to the knockout rounds Saturday afternoon, with the champion, and winners of a $10,000 prize, being crowned Sunday.
The entire tournament is streamed live exclusively on the Rugbytown app and website. Stay tuned to NCR social media channels for updates through the weekend.
Training Roster
Everett Boyd - Queens
Patrick Brennan - Endicott
Emiliio De Palm - Wisconsin
Mohammed Haddar - Wheeling
Tommy Hannon - Indiana
River Hanson - Duke
Joseph Iye - Wheeling
Rashon Jennings - Iowa Central
Logan Lair - Missouri
Connor Malau’ulu - Mira Costa College
Sy Mendenhall - St. Bonaventure
Michael Muleya - Wheeling
Gavin Olesen - Iowa Central
Bryce Palmer - Central Missouri
Anthony Rice - Denver
Brock Stinson - Kutztown
Lorenzo Villani - St. Bonaventure
Staff
Head Coach: Cody Melphy - Denver University
Assistant Coach: Ethan Pougnet - Rebels Rugby Academy
NCR HP Director: Tom Clark
NCR Men’s Director: Brad Dufek
