The collapse of the Pro League, in January this year, after the inaugural season was / is a drawback , in that , conceptually better players could have been aligned to a pro franchise and able to receive payments to direct toward their tuition costs - and not been in breach of NCAA Rules - given that Rugby ( Men's Rugby at least ) is not an NCAA Sport
If anyone has a 7's playing Daughter - different ball game. Women's Rugby is NCAA aligned and the Scholarship door is wide open.
As to why Women's Rugby is NCAA aligned and Men's Rugby is not it is all about diversity in NCAA Women's Sport and squaring up the participation ledger.
The keys to the longer and short term Student /Athlete opportunities in Men's Rugby in the USA might come down to a few things :
1. Growing viewing numbers in their Television Audience - note that the Penn Mutual College 7's tournament ( as of last season I think ) is now broadcast on NBC Sports Network that gives a national exposure
2. Whilst it stays non NCAA ....the opportunity for College Programs to tap Rugby loving boosters to privately sponsor players and in so doing bring a better competitive advantage to those programs that can ID the right type of talent
3. In combination with , or separate to , Point 2 above , the opportunity for limited work visas co-ordinated by the College /Club booster to help offset tuition - board costs.
4. The ability for Rugby and other College Sporting Programs to work collaboratively in recruiting two sport athletes .....IE: American Football and Rugby . Rowing and 7's....essentially using the Scholarship base off one sport to provide mutual benefit to 2 x sports . I note that Rugby / 7's runs counter to the American Football season
I acknowledge they are all difficult and not without their issues , however , if young players were serious about the possibility of the pathway it might behoove them to understand and build toward the staples of athletic testing that is run for all American Football High School Recruits ( 40 yard dash , standing broad jump , vertical leap , 3 cone agility drill , 100kg bench )
Or if they were a Rower , build toward your Single Scull and your 2KM Erg times . If you are at least 6'2 +, a B Level or better type student, and can pull around 6.20m or better on a 2KM Erg - you'll likely attract plenty of interest - especially considering schoolboy rowing in Australia seems to have a jump on high school rowing in the States
