Fresno State Rugby

Where We’ve Been, What We’ve Done, and What’s Next

If you’re from Fresno or you care about Bulldog pride, you know sports aren’t just games — they build character, community, grit. Fresno State Rugby is one of those programs that embodies all that: from humble beginnings, through struggles, to real achievements. Here’s a look at where the program has been, what it’s accomplished, and what might be coming down the pitch.

The History: Roots & Rise

The club was officially founded in 2009, though rugby has been played around Fresno State for much longer.
It’s not an NCAA varsity sport — club sport status means the team doesn’t get the same kind of funding or recognition as “mainstream” varsity teams. But that hasn’t stopped the Bulldogs from making noise.
The culture has always been strong: respect, teamwork, perseverance. The program’s mission talks about “getting better — as a student, boss, friend, father or athlete.” It isn’t just about the game.

Achievements: Bulldogs Making Their Mark

The climb has been steady, and the Bulldogs have earned milestones that show this team is more than just passion — there’s real success.

Achievement	What & When
First Pacific Western Conference League Championship (15s)	In 2022, Fresno State won its first PWR League title in the 15s format, defeating Sacramento State 36–0 at home.
National Championship (DI-AA 15s)	Also in 2022, after an undefeated season, the Bulldogs beat Kansas 22-17 to win their first American College Rugby Division I-AA national championship.
7s Conference Championship	Later that same year, the team claimed its first conference title in 7s competition.
Women’s Team	Fresno State’s women’s rugby club also earned milestones: in 2016, the women claimed the school’s first rugby conference title with a sizeable win.

These highlights show a team that’s not content to participate — it wants to compete, and win.

Challenges & What Made It Special

None of this came easy.

Being a club sport means fewer resources: less funding, fewer facilities, often having to practice in sub-par conditions. Fresno State rugby has had to make do with limited gear and fields that aren’t always ideal.
Player turnover is a challenge. When seniors graduate, you lose leadership and experience, and you have to rebuild with younger or newer players. That’s part of the club reality.
Despite that, the coaching staff and players have shown resilience: long practice hours, adapting to changing schedules, and pushing through difficulties. The 2022 season, for example, had its share of obstacles including pandemic disruptions, but the Bulldogs still came out on top.

What’s Next: The Future Looks Promising

So with the history and the recent successes, where do we go from here?

Sustaining Performance
Now that Fresno State rugby has reached the top in DI-AA (15s) and grabbed conference titles, expectation rises. The goal will be to stay consistent: defending titles, maintaining the standard even as players graduate, recruiting well, and keeping team culture strong.
Investing in Infrastructure
More and better practice facilities, better equipment, safer & cleaner fields — these aren’t just nice-to-haves, they matter. If the program wants to continue rising, investment from university, alumni, and local supporters will help.
Expand Exposure & Support
As rugby grows in popularity nationally (especially with 7s and its status in the Olympics), there’s opportunity for Fresno State to ride that wave: more games, more visibility, perhaps more support from the school. That could mean better scheduling, more community engagement
Youth Pipeline & Local Talent
Tapping into the Central Valley’s talent, getting high school players involved, developing skills early — this strengthens the team long-term. The more rugby roots in Fresno and nearby, the stronger Bulldogs Rugby will be.
Balancing 7s & 15s
The two formats are different (pace, strategy, depth). The program has already shown it can win in both, but keeping both competitive requires planning, conditioning, and player depth.

Why Fresno Should Care

Because this isn’t just another club. Fresno State Rugby is:

A model of what grit and community can build, even without the big budgets.
A source of local pride — when the Bulldogs win in tough conditions, it speaks to Fresno’s character.
An opportunity: for students to learn leadership, discipline, teamwork; for the community to rally behind something real.

Fresno State Rugby has made large strides in the last few years: from club underdog to national champ. The template is there — passion, resilience, good coaching, a strong team culture. If these Bulldogs keep charging forward — with better support, smart recruiting, and sustaining what they’ve built — there’s no reason this won’t become a powerhouse in college rugby, not just regionally but nationally.

Here’s to seeing where Fresno State Rugby goes next, and cheering them on every step of the way. Because if you believe in hard work, in heart — then this team is one of the ones worth believing in.

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Jason Farris

Head YES man at FresYes.com

I grew up in Fresno. Relaxed in its calm breezes, listened with my dad to the crack of the bat at little league baseball games when I was a kid and now take my son to do the same at minor league games. I broadened my mind at its schools (I went to high school right here at San Joaquin Memorial, and to college at Fresno State!) I love that if I drive for two hours in one direction, I can be in the mountains. For two hours in another, luxuriating on a California beach. I can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of San Francisco or Los Angeles, but still be able to come home to relaxation, calm, and quiet.

I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.

I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.

Fresno? I say FresYES