Arkansas State University senior Matt Huckaby, a Spanish major from Jonesboro, is the first rugby player from the Division II ASU Rugby team to be selected to represent the United States on the national team – the Eagles.

He will be part of the 28-player Eagles Rugby Squad facing South Africa’s powerhouse Springbok in Houston, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 1.

Huckaby played a key role in ASU’s Division II Plate National Championship in 2000 and National Championship Finalist season in 2001, and according to representatives with the USA Rugby publication, is seen as the future of American flankers due to his tenacious defense and athletic talent.

Although he only started playing rugby as a high school senior, he has continued to improve, impressing national selectors with his talent and potential. Huckaby became ASU’s second college All-American, and has been selected to the All-South and Mid-South All-Star squads in 1999, 2000 and 2001. He also impressed the Eagle’s selectors with his play for the college All-Americans in Ireland earlier this fall.

The first and only time the Eagles played South Africa’s Springboks was a 38-7 loss Sept. 25, 1981. The United Sates is currently 21^st in world rankings and will be guided by interim head coach Tom Billups.

The USA-South Africa game can be seen on Fox Sports World, locally Cox Cablevision channel 122, at noon Saturday. A half-time ceremony will be held to honor rugby players and United Airlines Flight 93 passengers Mark Bingham and Jeremy Glick who were killed during the terrorist attacks Sept. 11.

For more information contact ASU Rugby Coach Curt Huckaby 800-468-2215 or through e-mail curthuck@hotmail.com .

# # #

NewsPage: asunews.astate.edu/newspage.htm  |  Back to TOP  |