UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has selected Justin Hundley as head coach of the men’s rugby program. A Penn State graduate, he will begin his duties in late August.
Hundley brings 10 years of high school and collegiate coaching and administrative experience to the Nittany Lions’ men’s rugby program.
“Justin Hundley is well-versed in the rich history of Penn State rugby from his playing days with the Nittany Lions,” said Assistant Athletic Director Michael Cross. “His energy and passion for the sport are obvious, and his standards and values align with Penn State. The growth of the program under Justin’s leadership will build upon the traditions of Penn State rugby. The future is very bright with his arrival on campus for the start of the season, and I look forward to partnering with him to provide the best experience possible for our student-athletes.”
“I am excited to return to Penn State after 10 years away,” Hundley said. “Happy Valley has always held a special place in my heart and returning to the rugby program has been a dream since graduating. I look forward to leading a very talented group of players and continuing the storied success of Penn State rugby. With my experiences at West Point and Xavier, I am eager to work with the board and Penn State Athletics to write the next chapter of Penn State rugby.”
A member of the Penn State men’s rugby team as an undergraduate, Hundley returns to Happy Valley after spending the past four and a half years as assistant director of athletics and head junior varsity rugby coach at Xavier High School in New York City. Hundley helped oversee a robust program consisting of 13 sports and 35 teams, including working with budgets, coaching certification and clearances, equipment, travel and event scheduling.
Hundley posted a 43-5 record in four seasons as Xavier’s junior varsity rugby head coach.
Soon after graduating from Penn State, Hundley joined the U.S. Military Academy athletic staff, serving as an assistant coach/operations officer with the men’s rugby program for six years. Working with nearly 70 cadets annually, among Hundley’s duties were: practice planning and coaching, maintaining the team’s budget, managing all team travel and logistics, and creating the practice and competition schedule.
From Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Hundley graduated from Penn State in 2007 with a degree in crime, law and justice, with a concentration in business administration.
The Penn State men’s and women’s rugby clubs are team sports with oversight by Intercollegiate Athletics. The women’s squad, which has won six consecutive national championships, begins its fall season at home Sept. 2 vs. Dartmouth. The men’s team opens its season fall season Sept. 8 at Harvard and has its home opener Sept. 30 vs. Kutztown.