Author: Larry Doong

UGARFC player 1996-1999 UGA Rugby Alumni Board President 2012-2014, 2026 to current

Alumni Weekend recap

After several years of holding the event in the cold, bleak winter, UGA Rugby brought the traditional alumni match back to the fall this past weekend. The event was successful across multiple fronts.

The coaches got a good look at various players and combinations against a group of very solid alumni players. What we saw was very encouraging, and we gleaned valuable insights into areas to focus on. We also got our B-siders some much-needed minutes. With a taste of what it’s like to play rugby against experience. they also have a better idea of what it takes to play at a higher level.

We also had a strong alumni turnout, with 3 dozen UGA ruggers old and young showed up to show their support for the current team and to share food, beverages, and laughs, and to further strengthen the bonds that make UGA Rugby so unique.

More photos from the weekend can be seen in our photo gallery.

UP NEXT: UGA will host South Carolina on Saturday, Aug 29, 2026. Hope you will be able to come out and support your Dawgs! Check the event page for the latest details.

Fall 2026 season has begun!

UGA Rugby has officially kicked off our Fall 15s season, starting with our traditional preseason camp this past weekend. The boys arrived Friday night, did some team bonding and got to know some of the new players. Saturday was a full day, involving setting expectations for the season, testing, shaking off the rust from the summer, and preparing the boys to execute on Coach Jesse’s strategy. Afterwards, the boys got to cut loose and have fun over a BBQ dinner.

Some key highlights from the weekend:

  • Camp attendance was VERY strong – in fact, the highest it’s EVER been, at a 50% increase from last year! Given that a portion of the team couldn’t make it (due to the timing of UGA’s dormitory move-in), this was a FANTASTIC turnout.
  • Participation by our full coaching staff, plus a handful of alumni guest coaches
  • For the first time ever, we captured DATA on various strength and fitness tests.

The first training was also very encouraging – the numbers and energy were phenomenal. We’d like to welcome and call out some key additions to the team this year!

  • Rafael Saitowitz: freshman loose forward from Atlanta, who played with AYR for 3 years and served as a captain
  • Casey LeBlanc: transfer from Miami, where he captained the team at 9
  • Anthony Hennigan: freshman center from Brooklyn, NY, who played 4 years at Xavier High School (ranked #5 in the nation this past Spring). Anthony had previously planned to go to South Carolina, but very smartly changed his mind once UGA took him off the waitlist!
  • Dutch Murzin: freshman flanker from Dallas, TX, who comes to UGA with 4 years of high school rugby experience

We’re off to a strong start and are extremely excited for what this season will bring. Thank you again for your support, and we hope to see you at an upcoming event.

Don’t forget, our alumni match is this weekend – details HERE. As the boys say – LET’S ROCK! 🪨

ps. please continue to visit this website for updates throughout the season, and if you’re a social media user, don’t forget to follow the club on Instagram!

Fall 2026 schedule confirmed

The fall schedule is confirmed as detailed below. Check our EVENTS page for the latest updates, and please make sure to follow the team on Instagram for the latest updates!

Date(s)Event
August 14-16, 2026players preseason camp
August 22, 2026Alumni Match
August 29, 2026UGA vs South Carolina (HOME)
September 5, 2026UGA @ Lander (Greenwood, SC)
September 12, 2026open
September 19, 2026UGA vs Tennessee Tech (HOME)
PARENTS WEEKEND
September 26, 2026Alumni Tailgate (for UGA vs Oklahoma) – Athens, GA
October 3, 2026open
October 10, 2026UGA @ Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL)
October 17, 2026open
October 24, 2026UGA vs KSU (HOME)
October 30, 2026UGA @ Auburn
November 7, 2026UGA @ Clemson
November 14, 2026open
November 21, 2026BOWL vs. Southern Conference