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The Tigers are very blessed to have the powerful coaching staff that we currently enjoy Coach Dave Hill and Coach Phil Beck are the .
Coach Dave Hill began playing rugby in 1983 at the University of Texas at Arlington as a hooker, after two years at UTA, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Navy and played overseas as part of the U.S.S. Carl Vinson Battle Group team. In 1986 Coach Hill received an NROTC scholarship and enrolled at Memphis State University where he played four years at scrumhalf, captaining the team from 1987-1991. Dave was selected twice to captain the Mid-South Collegiate Select Side and once to the Midwest Territorial Collegiate Select Side.
After receiving his Commission in the U.S. Navy, Coach Hill played for numerous teams around the world at his duty stations with short stints at OMBAC, Old Aztecs, San Francisco Golden Gate, Boston Irish, and Stuttgart RFC. Coach Hill hung up his boots for good in 2001 after 18 years on the pitch.
In 2004, Coach Hill and his family were assigned to the Naval Support Activity Millington, TN where he began coaching High School Boys and Girls with the Brighton Rugby Club (later becoming Storm Rugby). Coach Hill’s High School teams won 18 Conference championships and two State Championships. In 2014 Coach Hill founded the first U.S. Girls Middle School tackle rugby team.
Coach Hill and his wife, Heather, moved overseas in 2016 and he coached briefly with the Kuala Lumpur Cobras U-14 before returning to Memphis in 2019.
Upon returning to Memphis, Coach Hill joined the coaching staff of Memphis Inner City Rugby as a Head Coach and a Coach Trainer. In addition to coaching for MICR, Coach Hill joined the University of Memphis as an assistant coach in 2019 and became Interim Head Coach in 2021. He took over as head coach in 2022 and the Tigers have sailed since. The Tigers have won three consecutive DII Conference Championships and finished ranked nationally at #5 in 2019 and #19 in 2021 in 15s and have had three very impressive 7s seasons going to the national championships twice.
Coach Hill is a Level 200 USA Rugby certified coach and formerly a Level 1 referee. Coach Hill was the West TN Rugby Conference Director from 2012-1016 and currently sits on the Board of Directors for Memphis Inner City Rugby.
Coach Phillip Beck
Coaching Resume
Memphis University backs coach 2020 – current
Head Coach Woodlands U-19’s 2007-2009
Director of Rugby Woodlands RFC 2009-2017
Texas High Performance U-19/17 backs coach 2009-2012
Texas Universities High Performance Backs coach 2009-10
Coach Lone Star Men’s Rugby 2018
Playing Career
1976-1979 British Overseas Select Hong Kong
1980-1983 Wasps RFC
1983-1987 Houston Old Boys
1988-1990 Kowloon RFC Hong Kong
Coach Beck is a Level 3 certified coach.
Coaching Philosophy
Coaching Philosophy: Transformative Excellence through Rugby
Our Coaches are driven by a mission that extends beyond the rugby pitch. Our commitment is to offer students unparalleled opportunities to excel in the sport while fostering personal growth and character development. Grounded in the principles of integrity, teamwork, and leadership, our coaching philosophy is a testament to our dedication to empowering deserving players on and off the field.
Financial Support as a Catalyst for Success:
Our foundation is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that financial barriers never hinder a student’s ability to participate in rugby. Through scholarships, we cover the costs of uniforms, equipment, and travel expenses, creating an environment where every athlete can thrive. This commitment has translated into exceptional results, with numerous championships, winning seasons, and a remarkable #2 ranking in the United States in 2023. The tangible impact of our foundation’s support is evident in the team’s success and the invaluable experiences gained by our student-athletes.
Rugby as a Platform for Growth:
Rugby, to us, is more than just a sport; it is a profound platform for personal and collective growth. We believe that the traditions of the game instill values and life skills that extend far beyond the playing field. Emphasizing teamwork, leadership development, and respect for authority and fellow players, rugby provides a stable and transformative experience. Our goal is to prepare student-athletes for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter throughout their lives.
Character Development as a Priority:
The coaching staff at the University of Memphis rugby team is committed to building up young men in key areas of character development. We emphasize the values of integrity, courage, commitment, leadership, class, and poise. By instilling these qualities, we not only create successful athletes but also prepare individuals who will make positive contributions to their communities and society at large.
Beyond the Scoreboard:
In summary, the Tiger Rugby is dedicated to transforming lives through rugby excellence. Our commitment goes beyond the scoreboard, as we believe in providing financial support that enables students to participate, compete, and succeed in rugby while fostering character development and lifelong skills. Our unwavering commitment to integrity, teamwork, and leadership ensures that the impact of our foundation extends far beyond the confines of the rugby pitch, shaping the future leaders of our communities. Together, we build a legacy of success and character that lasts a lifetime.
For information,contact us.
