NorCal Pipeline

• ~80% of the roster comes from California
• Strong ties to Jesuit, Danville, SFGG, Marin, and more
• Kyle’s background as a Granite Bay national champion

Program Identity

• Blue-collar mentality
• Physical, high-effort rugby
• Culture built on camaraderie and accountability

Player Development

• Recruiting “rugby players,” not positions
• Position changes to get the best 15 on the field
• Young roster with long-term upside

Training Environment

• Year-round indoor training facility
• Structured, high-intensity sessions
• Built-in academic balance with winter downtime

Strength & Conditioning

• Same S&C structure as Boise State Football
• Led by high-level performance staff

Scholarship Opportunity (WUI)

• 3.5+ GPA = automatic qualification
• $16,000 per year for four years
• No SAT/ACT required
• In many cases, more affordable than in-state California schools

Why Boise

• Safe, clean city
• Strong academics (Business, Nursing, Construction Management)
• Access to outdoors, travel, and big-time college atmosphere

• Website: https://www.boisestatemensrugby.com/
• Next Phase: https://app.nextphaserugby.com/dashboard/about-school
• Recruiting Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNvaKll5OPvfw70nyEX0oZ1T2KhCiWUZuk2FSi6HNfyyxXsA/viewform?usp=header

Boise State Rugby isn’t trying to be flashy.

They’re building a team that’s tough, physical, and connected. And with the pipeline they’re tapping into, don’t be surprised when they’re competing at the national level in the next few years.

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Key Topics

Brendo’s rugby journey

• Starting at San Francisco Golden Gate as a sophomore

• Lessons from coaches Mike Caravelli and Tony Wells

• The influence of the “15 vs 15” philosophy

Saint Mary’s College rugby

• Why he chose Saint Mary’s

• The impact of Tim O’Brien and the program’s culture

• The power of the alumni network

Building a coaching career

• Volunteering for seven years at Saint Mary’s

• Joining the USA U20 pathway

• Learning foundational coaching from J.D. Stevenson

Entering professional rugby

• Assistant coach and academy role with the Austin Gilgronis

• Working with international coaches and learning professional systems

• Experience coaching in Super Rugby Americas with the American Raptors

Utah Warriors and MLR coaching

• Role as Attack and Backs Coach

• Team success leading the league in tries and points

• What it takes to run a professional weekly training cycle

Player development in the United States

• The importance of core skills

• Why players must be able to carry, pass, and kick

• How watching professional rugby improves decision making

The future of professional rugby in the US

• MLR’s reset to a smaller league

• More opportunities for American players

• The importance of community support for the league and national team

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Episode Overview

Nate sits down with Alex Goff of Goff Rugby Report to break down the current state of high school and college rugby, with a focus on NorCal’s competitive depth and what it takes to reach Nationals.

NorCal Parity

Both the Premier club division and Single School Open division are wide open. Multiple programs are capable of winning championships, which makes rankings volatile but raises the overall standard week to week.

College Rugby Growth

Programs like Grand Canyon University and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are rising through strong coaching, affordability, and early playing opportunities. Parity at the college level continues to grow nationwide.

Nationals Selection Criteria

Financial stability, early application, strength of schedule, sportsmanship, and roster integrity all matter. Preparation for Nationals starts long before playoffs.
Strategic Scheduling

NorCal programs are encouraged to plan now for MLK and Presidents Day 2027 matchups, especially with cold-weather teams seeking tours. Cross-regional play strengthens teams and builds relationships.

For coverage updates or corrections, contact Alex directly at:

agoff@goffrugbyreport.com

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