2025-26 Men's Rugby Season Recap

• The Life University Men's Rugby program posted a 19-3 overall record during the 2025-26 season, ultimately reclaiming the 7s National Championship in May.
• The program reached the D1A playoffs with a dominant run, taking down both The Mount and longstanding rival Lindenwood, before falling in the semifinals to Navy.
• In the fall, the team recorded six All-Conference members, four on the first team and two more on the second.
• Jonty Lee, Adam Chadwick and Jordan Vassel were honorable mentions.

• The Life University Men's Rugby program kicked off the 2025-26 season with Rugby East play, hosting Army and Penn State in consecutive weekends. 
• The Running Eagles then hit the road to face Navy in a tightly contested matchup of two of the top teams in the country.
• The team then capped off its fall campaign by claiming the North American Challenge Cup at the Fall Classic, defeating UBC in a hard-fought championship match. The title served as a fitting conclusion to a successful fall season, highlighting the Running Eagles' strength on the national stage and adding another trophy to the program's storied tradition.

Rout of Mount St. Mary | Men's Rugby Opens Season with Win over Army 

Following a strong Fall season, the Life University men's rugby team had nine individuals earn All-Conference recognition. 

• Leo Venables, Shaun Matthysen, James Rose, and Logan Ballinger all earned a spot on the First Team, while Aden Beatty and Bautista Araujo were placed on the Second Team.
• With consistency across the lineup, Adam Chadwick, Jordan Vassel and Jonty Lee showcased the team's depth with Honorable Mentions.

• The Life University Men's Rugby program jumped straight back into the gauntlet of D1A play following the Winter break.
• Opening the Spring, the Running Eagles welcomed rival Lindenwood to Lupo, battling to a hard-fought ,18-15 loss.
• After the setback, the team responded with three impressive wins to close out the regular season, allowing just 40 combined points while posting victories of 49-7, 45-19, and 31-14.

• In the 2026 D1A Playoffs, Life U reached the semifinals once more, earning a dominant win over The Mount before the team avenged its home loss to Lindenwood in a thrilling, 31-24 road win.
• In the semifinals, the Running Eagles ultimately fell to the top-seeded Midshipmen of Navy in Anapolis.
• During postseason play, Logan Ballinger was named a finalist for the prestigious Rudy Scholz Award, presented annually to the top men's collegiate rugby player in the country.
• In May, the team made its return to 7s Play, claiming its third-consecutive National Title after the tournament fell through the last two years.
• James Rose and Leo Venables garnered All-Tournament Team honors following the event, with Rose further distinguishing himself by earning Tournament MVP recognition.