April 26, 2004
Stanford, Calif. - The top twelve men's and women's college Rugby teams in the country are heading to Stanford University, April 30-May 1, to compete at the USA RUGBY 2004 National Collegiate Championships for the Divisions I and II titles. The teams earned their National Championships berths last weekend after winning their respective pool competitions at the National Collegiate Championships Series Rounds of 16 (Division I) and Rounds of 8 (Division II), held in regions across the country.
Stanford University will again play host to the Collegiate Championships, marking the second year that Stanford's Steuber Rugby Stadium has provided the setting for this illustrious tournament.
Men's Division I Championship Semi-Final Match-ups
Defending champion US Air Force Academy, California Polytechnic State University, US Naval Academy and University of California will compete for the Men's Division I Collegiate Championships title in Stanford. This will be the first appearance in the National Semi-Finals for Cal Poly SLO, while California marches in for the 14th consecutive time. The Naval Academy returns to this round for the first time since 2001.
The Men's Division I Semifinals will be held Friday, April 30, with the Air Force Academy squaring off against Cal Poly and California facing the Naval Academy. The winners of each match-up will progress to the Championship Finals on Saturday, May 1.
Women's Division I Championship Semi-Final Match-ups
The Mid-Atlantic territory posted a unique sweep by winning all four pools in the initial rounds of the Women's Division I Championships. The US Naval Academy, University of Virginia, Princeton University and Penn State University will compete for the Women's Division I Collegiate Championships title in Stanford. While all four teams have appeared in the National semi-finals previously, only Penn State has held the National Championship trophy aloft (2000). With these four teams typically meeting during their season and in territorial playoffs, the semi-final and final matches promise to be spirited affairs.
The Women's Division I Semifinals will be held Friday, April 30, with Navy set against Penn State and Princeton set against the University of Virginia. The winners of each match-up will progress to the Championship Finals on Saturday, May 1.
Men's Division II Championships FinalsSalisbury University vs. Arkansas State University
The Men's Division II Championship finals will match Salisbury University against Arkansas State University. Both teams are automatically qualified for the Division II Finals after winning their respective pools (A and B) in the Men's Collegiate Division II Round of 8 in Nashville, Tenn. Sunday. This marks the first appearance in the National Championship Finals for both teams.
Women's Division II Championships FinalsTemple University vs. Providence College
The Women's Division II Championship finals will match Temple against Providence College. Both teams are automatically qualified for the Division II Finals after winning their respective pools (A and B) in the Women's Collegiate Division II Round of 8 in Bowling Green, Ohio Sunday. This marks the first appearance in the National Championship Finals for both teams.
Tickets for the 2004 National Collegiate Championships are available now by calling the Stanford Ticket Office toll-free at (800) STANFORD (800-782-6367). Tournament passes and single day tickets can also be purchased at Steuber Rugby Stadium on competition days.
National Collegiate Championships ScheduleFriday, April 30
10:00 am Division I Women's Semifinal - Princeton v. University of Virginia
12:00 pm Division I Women's Semifinal - Naval Academy (Women) v. Penn State
2:00 pm Division I Men's Semifinal - Univ. of California v. Naval Academy (Men)
4:00 pm Division I Men's Semifinal - Air Force Academy v. Cal Poly SLO
Saturday, May 1
10:00 am
Division II Women's Championships Final: Temple University vs. Providence College
12:00 pm
Division I Women's Championships Final
2:00 pm
Division II Men's Championships Final: Salisbury University vs. Arkansas State University
4:00 pm
Division I Men's Championships Final