Waterville, ME – Thomas College will be adding the institution's first ever Men's Rugby program with Maine native, Antonio (Tony) Solis named the program's Head Coach. The team will play in the National Collegiate Rugby Association (NCR), starting competition in the Fall of 2025.
 
Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Christopher Parsons stated, "Rugby is such a fast-growing sport in the United States, adding the program will enhance our overall campus community and student experience...Tony brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and passion for the sport of Rugby".
 
Solis played Rugby at the University of Maine Farmington for four years and was named team captain his final two years. In his time playing at UMF, he also captained the Maine All-Star team and helped UMF win their first of several Maine Collegiate Cup Championships.
 
An idealist and developmental-based coach, Solis's goal is for his team to always be working toward their best selves. He believes the way to get the most from his squad is to build strong relationships based off mutual respect, integrity, and discipline. He looks forward to building a Rugby team supported by an institution who is always competitive academically and athletically.
 
Solis has spent the last 8 years coaching Rugby programs across the state. He impressively led UMF to a #2 ranking in 2018 and #6 ranking in 2017 in the National Small College Rugby Organization. In those same two years, his UMF program went undefeated and won back-to-back New England Rugby Football Union Championships.
 
When asked about what he is looking forward to and what excites him most about this new opportunity for Thomas College and their student Solis stated, "Rugby is played in over 125 countries across the world, by adding rugby at Thomas College, student-athletes will gain instant access to a global network of players all around the world…I cannot wait to bring in a collection of young men from a variety of sporting backgrounds, and locations and mold them into a highly competitive and entertaining program on the pitch, while also making them the next leaders of tomorrow".
 
Solis official start date at Thomas College will be July 8^th.
 
For more information about the new program, please fill out our interest form.