Message from Coach Will for the 2025-2026 Season
Coach Will is excited for the 2025–2026 season, highlighting discipline, fundamentals, and mental toughness as keys to success. With big matchups ahead—including the Apple Cup, a strengthened conference featuring Central Washington, and a development trip to California—plus a talented new class of recruits, Husky Rugby is ready for a breakthrough year.
Dear Alumni, Families, and Friends of Husky Rugby,
As we kick off a new rugby season, I want to share how excited I am about what lies ahead for our program. We’ve laid a strong foundation over the past few years, and now it’s time to build on that by focusing on what sets teams apart: discipline, attention to detail, and consistent execution of the fundamentals.
In 2024-2025, we lost a few very close games, and a couple of others that got away from us. After those losses, a major point of emphasis has been winning the mental battle, where the coaches have consistently increased pressure at training and players have risen to the challenge. We open with three key exhibition matches: Trinity Western (TWU), WWU, and our annual Apple Cup clash with Washington State (WSU). That Apple Cup rivalry has been a nail-biter the past three years — each decided by a single score — and we expect another great rivalry game with lots of Purple and Gold on the sideline. These early matches will set the tone and allow us to fine-tune before conference play begins.Training focus will include pushing pace in attack, winning the gain line, and playing expansive rugby. We will continue to be a physical team and impose our will by building confidence around contact. Our defensive objectives are to force errors, create turnovers, and minimize scoring opportunities. We aim to be the most conditioned team in every match, able to apply pressure on while staying composed and alert, understanding how to actively rest, play off momentum, and always focus on the next job.
This year brings a new level of competition with the addition of Central Washington University (CWU) to our conference. CWU’s pedigree as a top rugby program (8th nationally in the 2024-2025 season) raises the bar for everyone, and we welcome that challenge. We’ll play a home and away against them, as well as Oregon State (OSU), University of Oregon (UofO), and Western Washington (WWU). In January, we’re heading to California for a high-level development trip that includes a joint session with Saint Mary’s College (SMC) and double-headers against UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) and San Jose State (SJSU). This trip will be a crucial part of our preparation for the second half of the season and a chance to test ourselves with and against top talent from another region.
Finally, we’re thrilled about our incoming recruits. This group brings power, energy, and strong rugby IQ — qualities that will push our standard and make an immediate impact. Thank you for your continued support. Let’s make this a season to remember.
Go Dawgs!
Will Wheaton
Head Coach & Director of Rugby
More News
How CWU’s Entry to D1AA Will Test Husky Rugby
CWU’s entry into the conference brings D1-level competition that will challenge and elevate Husky Rugby, offering a key opportunity for growth and development.
How CWU’s Entry to D1AA Will Test Husky Rugby
CWU’s entry into the conference brings D1-level competition that will challenge and elevate Husky Rugby, offering a key opportunity for growth and development.
Husky Rugby and Phinney Ridge Painting: A Winning Partnership on and off the Field
Phinney Ridge Painting continues to deepen its longstanding connection with Husky Rugby, hiring two new players this summer and reinforcing a tradition of support rooted in shared values and mutual growth.
Husky Rugby and Phinney Ridge Painting: A Winning Partnership on and off the Field
Phinney Ridge Painting continues to deepen its longstanding connection with Husky Rugby, hiring two new players this summer and reinforcing a tradition of support rooted in shared values and mutual growth.
A New Era Begins: Eight Recruits Join the Pack
Husky Rugby welcomes its largest and most talented incoming class yet, with eight new players from Washington, Canada, and England—reflecting the program’s growing momentum, regional ties, and rising national profile.
A New Era Begins: Eight Recruits Join the Pack
Husky Rugby welcomes its largest and most talented incoming class yet, with eight new players from Washington, Canada, and England—reflecting the program’s growing momentum, regional ties, and rising national profile.