Penn State Rugby International Fifteens

 
 
 
 

This display honors players in the original “code” of the sport with fifteen players per side and was inspired by rugby clubhouses around the world with long histories of high-level play and storied traditions. It is based on the practice of the jersey exchange.

The display description: “There is no higher honor in rugby than being selected to play for your country in an international test match. A time-honored tradition, after a hard-fought game, is to exchange jerseys with your opposite number. In turn, many players then often donate these personal treasures back to the clubs and teams that provided them the experience and the opportunity to realize their dreams. For these Nittany Lion Internationals, it is both a ‘thank you’ to Penn State Rugby and an inspiration to those players that follow.”

Originally, the criteria used to qualify for this honor was a “cap,” which was awarded whenever one played in an international Test Match. In 2022 an amendment to that qualification was adopted to include players that were selected as rostered members of an International team regardless of whether they took the field. This change was made to reflect both the significant achievement of the selection and to recognize the major difference in the opportunity; decades ago, substitutions were limited to two per match and for injury only. Whereas today, rosters are 23 players and substitutions are largely strategic.

To date, there are 32 Penn State Rugby Fifteens honorees.

Fun Facts:

  • 3 Penn State Rugby players have captained USA Teams at the World Cup: Mike Petri, Kim Magrini, and Kate Daley.

  • Mike Petri represented the USA 57 times.

  • Deven (Keller) Compo played matches for the USA without knowing she was just weeks pregnant… TWICE! Both were awarded “prenatal” caps for taking the field for their country. Both Eva and Ana are healthy and happy.

  • All “Caps” in Fifteens are for the United States with the exception of Andy MacDonald, who played for Scotland and the Barbarians’ exclusive select side.

  • Deven Owsiany has represented the U.S. as a player in both Fifteens and Sevens and was also an International match referee.

  • 12 Penn Staters have played internationally in both Fifteens and Sevens.

 
 
 

Did you play rugby at Penn State?

Help us tell more of Penn State Rugby’s history and keep our displays up-to-date! The information we’re featuring at the Kabala Family Rugby Hall is only as strong as we’re able to retell history.

If you see any errors in the display descriptions, names, or dates, please let us know. We will research, verify, and make changes. Likewise, if you have information, articles, or photos that could add important context to any element of Penn State Rugby’s history, we want to hear it! We will be aggregating new information and updating the “tour” quarterly.