Players
Explore the players of UMBC Rugby and learn their stories
Nate Cullen
Position: Flyhalf
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'4 / 225 lbs
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Odenton, MD
Previous Clubs: Mount Saint Joseph HS Rugby
Experience: 7 Years
Why I Play Rugby: I play rugby because of the incredible community and because it gives me an opportunity to overcome hardship with my closest friends
Jose Orellana-Guzman
Position: Scrum Half
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 5'9 / 185 lbs
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Previous Clubs: Baltimore Poly
Experience: Playing since 13...
Why I Play Rugby: Rugby has shaped who I am today mentally and physically. The brotherhood and relationships have been life changing.
Nathan Bodis
Position: Lock
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'4 / 195 lbs
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Fallston, Maryland
Previous Clubs: North Bay
Experience: 1 Semester
Why I Play Rugby: The camaraderie with my teammates.
Fun Fact: I also play Volleyball.
Noah Kawecki
Position: Inside Center/Fullback
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 5'10 / 160 lbs
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Annapolis, MD
Experience: 1 Semester
Why I Play Rugby: It's a great way to meet new people and hit people.
Kyle Poudyal
Position: Flanker
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 5'10 / 205 lbs
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Damascus, Maryland
Experience: Joined UMBC rugby in Fall 2024
Why I Play Rugby: Rugby is the ultimate team sport! It combines football and soccer.
Fun Fact: I have been to more countries than states.
Pierce Beach
Position: Lock
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 6'5 / 220 lbs
Major: Biological Science
Hometown: Rockville, Maryland
Experience: Joined UMBC rugby in Fall 2024
Why I Play Rugby: It's Fun!
Troy Lovell
Position: Wing
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 6'0 / 180 lbs
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Ellicott City, Maryland
Experience: 1 Year
Why I Play Rugby: For the Culture.
Fun Fact: I'm Diamond 1 in Rainbow Six Siege.
Thaman Chiroori
Position: Forward
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 5'9 / 210 lbs
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Experience: 1 Semester
Why I Play Rugby: Everyone motivates me to be better and I like that environment.
Fun Fact: I've watched over 1000 hours of anime at 2x speed.
Gokarn Singh Dhaliwal
Position: Wing/Fullback
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 5'8 / 160 lbs
Major: Financial Economics
Hometown: Abingdon, MD
Previous Clubs: North Bay, UMBC
Experience: High School at North Bay & UMBC
Why I Play Rugby: It's about community and building lifelong brothers.
Fun Fact: Garlic Parmesan wings are my favorite.
Rafael Zelidon
Position: Forward/Lock
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'5 / 225 lbs
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Catonsville, MD
Experience: 1 semester
Why I Play Rugby: Great way to stay active.
Grant Gumbel
Position: Hooker/Prop
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 5'10 / 260 lbs
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Elkridge, MD
Previous Clubs: Mount Saint Joseph HS Varsity Rugby
Experience: 3 years
Why I Play Rugby: Fitness & community
Fun Fact: I once believed I'd never play rugby!
Ty Schwartz
Position: Forward/Prop
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 5'9 / 240 lbs
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Pasadena, MD
Experience: 1 Semester
Why I Play Rugby: The mentorship and brotherhood are unmatched.
Fun Fact: I have broken 20 bones in my body.
Jaden Gomez
Position: Wing
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 5'9 / 165 lbs
Major: Information Systems
Hometown: PG County
Experience: 1 Semester
Why I Play Rugby: To stay in shape.
Fun Fact: I have titanium in 4 different places.
Jonathan Hightower
Position: Back/Wing
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 5'10 / 145 lbs
Major: Biological Sciences
Hometown: White Plains, MD
Experience: 1 year
Why I Play Rugby: It's fun
Paul OyeBade Adejayan
Position: Outside Center
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 6'1 / 215 lbs
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Damascus, MD
Experience: 2 years
Why I Play Rugby: It challenges me and the bond with teammates feels like a second family.
Jude Nedruda
Position: Hooker, Flanker, Scrum-Half
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 5'8 / 220 lbs
Major: Pre-Nursing
Hometown: Perry Hall, MD
Experience: 1.5 years at UMBC
Why I Play Rugby: Rugging alongside guys I would do anything for is the best thing I could have ever found myself doing.
Fun Fact: My favorite types of games are the muddy ones.
Jason Brodie
Position: Prop
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 5'10 / 225 lbs
Major: Computer Engineering
Hometown: Rosedale, MD
Experience: 1 year
Why I Play Rugby: For fun
Fun Fact: I had a baby tooth till I was 23.
Fode Seck
Position: Lock
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 6'7 / 190 lbs
Major: Information Systems
Hometown: Towson, MD
Experience: 1.5 year
Why I Play Rugby: To stay active
Fun Fact: I love playing video games.
Onosetale Okojie
Position: 8-Man
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 6'2 / 220 lbs
Major: Biological Sciences
Hometown: Reisterstown, MD
Experience: 4 years; Played every scrum role except hooker
Why I Play Rugby: It's fun
Leon Tang
Position: Flanker
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'0 / 200 lbs
Major: Information Systems
Hometown: Annapolis, MD
Previous Clubs: West Potomac RFC
Experience: 3 years
Why I Play Rugby: Great way to have community and competitiveness while balancing academics.
Fun Fact: I have met 2 Chainz, Governor Wes Moore, & Lamar Jackson!
Ashraf Kawooya
Position: Fullback
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 5'11 / 170 lbs
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Rockville, Maryland
Experience: 5 Years
Why I Play Rugby: I love and live for the game.
Fun Fact: I have a metal plate in my cheek.
Earl Gilliam
Position: Forward
Year: Freshman
Height/Weight: 5'9 / 185 lbs
Javier Cornejo
Position: Forward
Year: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 5'10 / 180 lbs
Greg Behrendt
Position: Forward
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'4 / 215 lbs
Harrison Roth
Position: Forward
Year: Junior
Height/Weight: 5'11 / 190 lbs
Michael Kirby
Position: Forward
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 5'10 / 165 lbs
Darrell Davis
Position: Forward
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 6'4 / 210 lbs
Coaching Staff
Led by experienced coaches with international backgrounds
Richard Tavai
Head Coach
New Zealand
USA Rugby CertifiedRusty Cross
Assistant Coach
Ireland
International Experience