Two-Time Defending Women's National Champion Life University and 15 of the Nation's Top Women's Rugby 7s Teams Set to Compete in 2018 Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship

PHILADELPHIA, March 29, 2018 (Newswire.com) - Two-time defending women’s champion Life University, finalist Lindenwood University and 14 more of the nation’s top women’s college rugby 7s squads comprise the 16-team women’s national championship field in the 2018 Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship, set for Friday, June 1 through Sunday, June 3 at Talen Energy Stadium in suburban Philadelphia.

Leading the women’s national championship field this summer is defending women’s champion Life University, which captured the crown last June with a 17-12 victory over Lindenwood University. It was the second consecutive year that Life triumphed over Lindenwood in the women’s 7s final (winning 19-10 in 2016’s title tilt). 

Lindenwood also returns for the 2018 competition, along with Philadelphia-area favorites Drexel, Delaware, Penn State and Temple, as well as the women’s rugby 7s squads from Bloomsburg, Boston University, Clemson, Dartmouth, Kutztown, Navy, Notre Dame, Virginia, and Virginia Tech, and the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) Selects squad, an all-star team chosen from the best of NSCRO’s 7 teams, round out the 16 team field.

The 2018 Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship will mark the eighth consecutive year that the event has been held in Philadelphia and at Talen Energy Stadium, bringing national and International attention to the region through the live broadcasts on the networks of ESPN.

The three-day rugby event is one of the largest gatherings of collegiate and high school rugby teams in the world. Penn Mutual is in the fourth year of a title sponsorship for the event. Over 30,000 fans are expected for this year’s championship tournaments.

The annual event features the nation’s top 24 men’s collegiate rugby 7s teams, and also includes a regional competition with a six-team field vying for a spot in next year’s main bracket; the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) national championship; as well as a national high school tournament with both boys’ and girls’ teams. Fields for each of those events will be announced in the coming weeks.

The interest in Rugby Sevens (also known as Sevens Rugby) continues to grow after the return to the Olympic Games in 2016, following a 92-year hiatus. The Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship is America’s national sevens championship and serves as the centerpiece of a nationwide effort to build American rugby talent for competition on the International stage. Over the past eight years, the event has produced over 31 players who have gone on to play for the U.S. National teams.

Reserved and Field Level tickets to the World’s Largest Collegiate Rugby Festival are available online at sevensrugby.com. Before May 1, single day reserved tickets are $65, while field level tickets are $41. Full weekend reserved tickets are $109 and field level tickets are $68 for the full weekend. After May 1, single day reserved tickets are $90 and field level tickets are $63, and full weekend reserved tickets are $132 and field level tickets are $79.

About United World Sports: 

United World Sports (UWS) is the largest commercial rugby entity in the United States, and the owner and operator of a growing portfolio of dynamic sports, media and apparel brands including, the USA Sevens Rugby international tournament, the largest professional rugby event in North America and the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship, the premier college 7s rugby championship. Through its apparel division, UWS owns the exclusive North and South American license for Rhino Rugby, one of the world's leading rugby apparel and equipment brands. UWS also owns and operates RugbyToday.com, the largest and most widely read media destination dedicated to American rugby. Additional information is available at http://www.unitedworldsports.com.

About Penn Mutual:

Since 1847, Penn Mutual has been committed to helping people live life with confidence. At the heart of this purpose is the belief that life insurance is central to a sound financial plan. Through our network of trusted advisers, we are dedicated to helping individuals, families and businesses achieve their dreams. Penn Mutual supports its advisers with retirement and investment services through Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc. Registered Investment Advisor and wholly owned subsidiary. Member FINRA/SIPC. We are proud to work together in a values-driven and relationship-based culture. Visit Penn Mutual at www.pennmutual.com.

Media Contacts:

Joe Favorito, [email protected], (201) 746-0005

Jim DeLorenzo, [email protected], (215) 266-5943

Source: Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship