Three UMaine players among National Collegiate Rugby’s 2021–22 Scholastic All Americans

National Collegiate Rugby named three athletes from the University of Maine Men’s Rugby Team as 2021–22 Scholastic All Americans.

Griffin McDevitt of Sandwich, Massachusetts; Nick Mills of Chelsea, Maine; and Matthew Sande from Shrewbeury, Massachusetts were among the 472 players from more than 140 schools selected for the annual program, created to recognize high academic performers in collegiate rugby. According to the organization, these athletes have maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher during the academic year.

Mills is a junior majoring in civil and environmental engineering. He plays as an eight man and has competed with the UMaine team for three years. McDevitt is a sophomore studying sustainable agriculture who has played prop for the UMaine team for one year. Sande is a sophomore studying chemistry, and has played for UMaine for one year as a wing. 

In May, the UMaine Men’s Rugby Team placed fifth in the 2022 Collegiate Rugby Championship. Of the 25 UMaine team members, 16 competed in the national championship, including eight who were returning players for the team. It was the first 7s national championship, meaning seven players per team competing in a game, for which the Black Bears have qualified.