“The rugby community across the world is one big family,” says Doug O’Donnell, C’22, a loose forward on the Mount St. Mary’s University men’s rugby team. He was one of 64 players from around the world who was chosen to travel to Hong Kong to try out for the Overseas Lions, a U19 15s international select team. “I decided I wanted to remember my experiences back in my homeland, China, playing rugby and spent all winter break preparing for this moment.”
Earning a National Championship in 2016 in the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO), the team has become a family for Doug.
Men's Rugby at MSMUMount St. Mary’s University men’s rugby head coach Jay Myles consistently instills in his players a focus on performance under fatigue. “The training was tough,” O’Donnell says, “but with Myles’ words in mind, I was able to excel in a new environment under tough mental and physical strain while simultaneously doing something I love—playing rugby.” His focus and effort paid off, as O’Donnell was one of only 35 players to make the final selections.
Referencing experiences here at the Mount, he says the rugby team is one big, happy family and he’s met
When asked what advice he would share with new students, he says a schedule will go the distance to help prioritize time for school work, but that this structure also can open up opportunities for extra-curricular and personal activities as well. “This year, a group of friends and I joined intramural dodgeball and had nothing but a great
“My path right now isn’t certain, but I have the chance to shape it and further my education, which I am forever grateful for,” he says. Once he graduates, O’Donnell hopes to stay within the rugby community. His main goal is to play professional rugby and use his