The High School Challenge

June 1st-2nd, the Collegiate Rugby 7's Championships take place at PPL Park in Philadelphia.  Commonly referred to as the "CRC" the collegiate men's matches are broadcast on NBC both Saturday and Sunday.

To call PPL a park is a misnomer; it's a full fledged brand-new stadium built on the waterfront in Philly.  Home to a MLS team, crowds could be as high as 14,000.  The atmosphere is special.  Each college team has their own section of supporters, decked out in school colors.  The rugby is incredible; fast and skilled.  Seeing the 7's matches in person is eye-opening and even more impressive than watching on TV.  You appreciate the speed and athleticism of the game better in-person.

Connected to the event is the "High School Challenge."  Building towards an unofficial national 7's championship is the idea of the HSC 7's.  With pool play games Friday at Drexel University and Penn, the high school athletes get a chance to play the best 7's teams from around the country.  The famed New York city-side, Pride attends every year with their boys side.  So does Fallbrook, California, DSHA, and Catholic Memorial, on the girls side.

Three other highlights make from a  great experience.  Saturday night is the high school banquet featuring all the boys and girls teams together.  All weekend players and coaches from the English professional teams in the Aviva Premiership fly over to run clinics on the grounds of the stadium.  Lastly, there will be a scouting combine for all high school athletes interested in getting their info out to collegiate recruiters.