PHILADELPHIA – USA Sevens will honor a legendary American and rugby ambassador with the creation of the Pete Dawkins Trophy, which will be awarded to the winning team at the upcoming Collegiate Rugby Championship at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.  

Picking up rugby while on a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford, Dawkins’s rugby career and history of service to his country make him the ideal exemplar for the teams competing in the Collegiate Rugby Championship, which will be broadcast live nationally on NBC and Versus on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5. 

“Pete Dawkins epitomizes excellence and integrity in athletics as well as in life,” said Dan Lyle, Collegiate Rugby Championship tournament director.  “The Pete Dawkins Trophy will stand as a symbol to the teams participating that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and your team.”

“I learned a great deal from the sport of rugby and I am honored to be associated with the Collegiate Rugby Championship and the hard-working athletes who will be competing,” said Pete Dawkins.

Dawkins’ athletic career flourished at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was an All-American and won the Maxwell Trophy and the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding college football player in 1958.  To date, he remains the only Cadet at Army to ever serve as Brigade Commander, President of his Class, Captain of the football team and a “Star Man” – one of the top five percent academically.  Following his graduation from West Point, Dawkins studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, where he also starred on the rugby pitch.

“Though I have fond and lasting memories of my years playing football at the Military Academy, rugby is a sport I hold especially close to my heart,” said Dawkins.  “It is truly an honor to be able to give back to the game in this way and I look forward to taking part in this distinguished event.”

In addition to the rugby excitement, spectators will also be treated to a concert featuring the critically acclaimed rock band Dropkick Murphys immediately following completion of Saturday’s games, at 8 PM.  There will also be a “Block Party” on-site on both tournament dates, where local bands, food trucks and interactive areas will allow fans to amp up the energy before, during and after the action on the pitch wraps up.

The tournament will feature 16 of the most elite rugby programs in the nation battling against each other and will be broadcast live nationally on NBC and Versus. Tickets can be purchased at www.usasevenscrc.com.

The Collegiate Rugby Championship will be broadcast live nationally on NBC and Versus. 

Broadcast Schedule:

• NBC Sports live coverage from 4:00-6:00 p.m. ET on June 4 and 5
• Versus live coverage from 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET on June 4 and 5
• Versus live coverage from 6:00-8:00 p.m. ET on June 4
• NBC Mobile live simulcast from 4:00-6:00 p.m. ET on June 4 and 5
• Hulu.com full event coverage available on-demand in HD quality video

About USA Sevens:

USA Sevens LLC owns and operates America’s premier rugby events, the Las Vegas HSBC Sevens World Series and the USA 7’s Collegiate Rugby Championship Invitational.  Held annually, the Las Vegas HSBC Sevens World Series is one of the eight international stops in the HSBC Sevens World Series. The Series sponsor is HSBC bank.  With an attendance of over 50,000 during the two day event, it is the largest annual rugby event in North America and one of the fastest growing rugby events in the world.