The Rotunda

Issue date: 2/4/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Longwood Public Relations Todd Miller died tragically on March 9 last year, eight days after suffering an injury during a rugby match against VMI.

By John Graham
Community Submission

The Longwood men's and women's rugby teams are preparing for a busy spring season. Fresh off Virginia Union Rugby (VRU) championships for both teams, the big goal is preparation for the playoffs that lead to the USA Rugby National Championships. The men have reached the round of 16 and have earned the right to host the next round of playoffs at home against Penn State Berks (PSB). Two years ago Longwood defeated PSB in Baltimore, Md., to earn their first trip to the national final four. To return to the final four the men must defeat PSB and then the winner of Widener University versus American University. The team will be led by senior captain Ben Adams and the game will be played on the First Avenue Field on March 21.
 
The Longwood women have earned the #2 seed in the Mid-Atlantic Territorial Union (MARFU) as a result of winning the VRU title in the fall over Mary Washington. As VRU titleholder, the women will be the host for the first round of the playoffs against LaSalle University. The game will be played on First Avenue Field on March 21 prior to the men's game.  This is the first VRU title for the women, and they are seeking to advance further than last year’s playoff appearance that ended with a first-round defeat to eventual national champion Shippensburg State University. The women’s team is led by junior captain Ashley Hartley and junior Kaelynne Nill, the team’s leading scorer.

Todd Miller Memorial Rugby Tournament

Before the playoff games, both teams will serve as host to the first Todd Miller Memorial Rugby Tournament. The event is conducted in honor of the memory of Todd Miller, a LU player from 2005-2008. The event will raise money and awareness for LifeNet, a National Organ Donation Organization and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Washington, D.C. area that was a big part of Todd's life. On the men's side, VMI, Virginia Tech and Hampden-Sydney will play, and on the women's side, Virginia Tech and Georgetown University will attend. The games will be played on the First Avenue Field on Feb. 21. Admission is free.
 
For more information about the rugby spring schedule and all rugby events, or to get involved with the team, visit longwoodrugby.org

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