1975 Sexist OSU Newsletter
The Old Man, the newsletter of the Ohio State University Men’s Rugby club announced the formation of the Ohio State women’s team. Note the graphic illustration of a female player.
1977 The Pitch
The Tube and the Pitch, two different Ohio State Women’s team newsletters from 1977 show the grassroots organizing, bawdy nature of women’s rugby at the time.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
All donations made are tax deductible.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
All donations made are tax deductible.
Briana Allen
Age: 24
From: Born in Bronx NY, Raised in Lancaster, PA & Currently Resides/Lives in Pittsburgh PA
Job that pays the bills: High School Counselor at Mt. Lebanon High School; Commonwealth Press
Rugby life:
Former player at Robert Morris University Class of 2021
3x AllStar and Select sides player for the Allegheny Rugby Union
Former Assistant coach at Robert Morris University (2022)
Current Coach for the Allegheny Rugby Union collegiate and high school all star/select side team (2023-present)
Current Coach for the Rugby Pennsylvania Fall New York 7s All-Star team (2024)
Current Coach for the Fall and summer West Pittsburgh Foxes Youth rugby club
Both youth and high school (k-12) (2021-present)
Allegheny Referee Society member // Professional Match Official for Rugby Pennsylvania (2023-present)
Certified Level 1 Referee
Founder and Head Coach for the Mount Lebanon Blue Devils Rugby Club founded in 2023 (my biggest pride & joy!)
Middle school and high school team
Why we love Briana:
Major dedication to youth development and growth through the many workshops and skills clinics ran all around the greater Pittsburgh area
Did a recent rugby tour to 16 different schools this past summer (2024), introducing the sport to over 600 kids in grades kindergarten to 7th grade
Ran four summer skills clinics for girls in any district from grades 6-12
Ran two recent fall ‘Try Rugby’ workshops introducing 20 new 6-12th graders to the sport
"Finding rugby in college after leaving a sport I trained for most of my highschool career was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me. This was the definition of closing a door and opening an even bigger and better life-changing one. Playing specifically for Angela Smarto at Robert Morris unlocked so many parts of me, and I looked up to her and the way she ran the program. Upon graduation, I immediately asked her if I could be an assistant coach and learn as much as I could about what it takes to build and sustain a program. Shortly after, rugby became a lifestyle and I was ready to give back to the sport that gave me my voice and my purpose in life, which is to empower and inspire young girls through the wonderful game of rugby. Now I can't imagine my life without it and neither can any of the girls I coach, which warms my heart so much."
More about Briana:
https://rmuclubsports.com/news/2021/12/20/mens-rugby-5-rugby-players-honored-by-the-aru.aspx
She even gets celebrity Mt Lebanon Alum Mark Cuban engaged: https://www.facebook.com/commonwealthpress/photos/late-2022-amelia-asked-me-if-there-was-a-rugby-team-near-mt-lebanon-that-she-cou/950251910474893/?_rdr
All photos provided by the award recipient