1975 Sexist OSU Newsletter
The Old Man, the newsletter of the Ohio State University Men’s Rugby club announced the formation of the Ohio State women’s team. Note the graphic illustration of a female player.
1977 The Pitch
The Tube and the Pitch, two different Ohio State Women’s team newsletters from 1977 show the grassroots organizing, bawdy nature of women’s rugby at the time.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
All donations made are tax deductible.
Support us today!
When you contribute to the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation you become part of a movement to support girls and women involved in rugby.
We are a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
All donations made are tax deductible.
Mads McCormick
Name: Mads McCormick
Pronouns: They/Them
Age: 27
Hails from: New York City
Job that Pays the Bills: Manager of Consulting @ GEP
Rugby Life:
2016 PA Rugby HS All-Star Player
D1 Elite National Champion with Penn State Rugby
Penn State Rugby Player (2017)
3rd Place, Collegiate Rugby Championship with Penn State Rugby
Penn State Rugby Assistant Coach (2021-2022)
State College HS Girls Assistant Coach (2017-2022)
PA Rugby HS Girls All Stars Assistant Coach (2017-2022)
New York Rugby Club Assistant Coach (2022-Present)
Columbia Rugby Coach (2023-2025)
New York Exiles Assistant Coach (2024)
WER Legacy Cup 2nd Place with NY Exiles
PA Rugby HS Girls All Stars Head Coach (2025)
Leading like a Boss:
Penn State Rugby President (2019-2020)
TheRealBigMads Rugby Correspondent (2021-2024)
GEP Pride NORAM Lead, 2023-Present
New York Exiles Manager (2025)
Kathy Flores Heart of a Champion Nominee 2025 Grassroots to Global Delegate
Video Game Clubs of America 501c3 Board of Directors 2021- Present
Why we love Mads:
Rugby became the safest and most affirming community I had ever known after losing a Division I soccer opportunity because of my sexuality. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to giving back to the game—coaching at the high school, collegiate, club, and Elite levels, and working to ensure rugby continues to grow as a space where women, LGBTQIA+ athletes, and trans athletes truly belong.
I carry those same values beyond the pitch, applying them through my work as a Consulting Manager, through nonprofit leadership and through pro bono efforts centered on inclusion, access, and community impact. After losing my best friend and coaching partner, Alex Weisser, to mental illness, I rededicated my relationship with rugby to growing the game in her honor. My long-term hope is to support the inclusive growth of rugby and one day help build the Alex Weisser Memorial Stadium at Penn State, so her legacy lives on. For those who can't.
Photos provided by the award recipient