USA Sevens Finalizes 16 Team Field to Compete in Collegiate Rugby Championship

PHILADELPHIA, April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Sevens today confirmed the full lineup of teams set to compete in the second-ever Collegiate Rugby Championship.  Rounding out the field of 16 are returning schools Penn State and Ohio State University as well as tournament-newcomers University of Texas, University of North Carolina and Louisiana State University.  The tournament, which will be broadcast live nationally on NBC, is scheduled to take place at PPL Park in Chester, PA on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5. Versus will also air live and taped coverage throughout the weekend.

"This event has an incredible line-up of teams representing every corner of the US," said Dan Lyle, Collegiate Rugby Championship tournament director.  "These dynamic squads will help build upon the success of last year's tournament while adding competitive and national weight to the event."

Rugby Sevens features seven players per team playing on the same size pitch as a 15's match and offers non-stop action where speed, high scoring and athleticism dominate the competition.  The format allows for constant entertainment with each match split into two seven-minute halves and a new match starting about every 20 minutes.  Rugby Sevens will be an Olympic sport starting in 2016.  

In total, seven teams will be making their debut at the Collegiate Rugby Championship while nine will be making a return trip, including 2010 tournament champion University of Utah and 2010 runner-up University of California.  Central Washington University, who secured the final spot in the tournament by winning the Las Vegas Invitational in February, will join the tournament as a newcomer as well.  Also confirmed to compete are teams from the University of Oklahoma, Army, Navy, Notre Dame, Temple, Arizona, Dartmouth College and Boston College.

Broadcast Schedule:

• NBC Sports live coverage from 4:00-6:00 p.m. ET on June 4 and 5
• Versus live coverage from 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET on June 4 and 5
• Versus bonus coverage from 6:00-8:00 p.m. ET on June 4
• NBC Mobile live simulcast from 4:00-6:00 p.m. ET on June 4 and 5
• Hulu.com full event coverage available on-demand in HD quality video

About USA Sevens:

USA Sevens LLC owns and operates America's premier rugby events, the Las Vegas HSBC Sevens World Series and the USA 7's Collegiate Rugby Championship Invitational.  Held annually, the Las Vegas HSBC Sevens World Series is one of the eight international stops in the HSBC Sevens World Series. The Series sponsor is HSBC bank.  With an attendance of over 50,000 during the two day event, it is the largest annual rugby event in North America and one of the fastest growing rugby events in the world.

For More Information, Interviews or Team Match-ups Contact:

Heather Krug at Rogers & Cowan
(office) 310-854-8156 or (mobile) 310-463-1415
[email protected]

Kat Stolpa, Rogers & Cowan
310-854-8158
[email protected]  

SOURCE USA Sevens LLC