WHEELING — Wheeling University’s women’s rugby team will not compete in the upcoming Division I National Championship after the university announced it could no longer field a full team.
The decision follows the firing of head coach Ken Pape and the suspension of several players due to internal disciplinary issues, reportedly involving underage student alcohol consumption. The university notified National Collegiate Rugby of its withdrawal from the championship.
As a result, National Collegiate Rugby imposed a minimum two-year suspension on Wheeling University’s women’s rugby program from all postseason play, effective immediately. Additional sanctions could be considered following a full review.
The women’s rugby program, which launched in 2024, had quickly risen to national prominence and entered the postseason as a top contender. Those championship hopes have now ended, and the program’s future remains uncertain.
No further details have been released regarding the specific issues that led to the coach’s dismissal and the player suspensions.
