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As a senior project Joel Kuhns and Tim Ryland started the State College Rugby Football Club (SCRFC). Both his father (Larry Kuhns) and neighbor (current State High coach Bernie Cantorna) helped the boys carry out this task, acting as coaches. The SCRFC received considerable support from the PSU Rugby Club, who allowed the club access to indoor and outdoor practice facilities. At its inception the high school team was not recognized by the school district. In the club's inaugural 2000 season the team barely fielded 15 players(2002 team picture left) at matches, and less at practice. The Club, not yet in the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union, played Bishop Shanahan three times, and Westchester Henderson once. In a surprise to all, the club won all matches except one B-side game versus Shanahan. Both Joel Kuhns and Tim Ryland went on to play rugby at PSU and began a tradition of SCRFC players continuing their carreers at the collegiate level. With the success of the boys team, two years later the club was part of the State College Area High School and fielding a girls team. Coached by Brett Hoffman and Chris Hoy, the girls team had instant sucess. Their second year of play, the girls won the EPRU Championship and an invitation to the USA Rugby National Tournament. They are five time EPRU Champs and have attended nationals three years in a row, finishing 3rd, 5th and 4th in the country. | |
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