The GCU Men’s Rugby team enters its seventh season in 2021-2022 as a young and rapidly growing program. The Lopes have already made an impact on collegiate rugby in the West, reaching the playoffs in its first season at the D1A level in 2018. The program had immediate success in recruiting, enrolling several top high school players and collegiate transfers from across the country. GCU has made a large commitment to the men’s rugby program with the hiring of former University of Notre Dame head coach Sean O’Leary, who heads into his second year leading the Lopes. GCU provides practice and game facilities, weight training with a certified strength coach, athletic training support, equipment, kit, travel resources and more. GCU Men's Rugby competes in 15s and 7s play. In 15s, the Lopes reached the 2017 Division I-AA national semifinals after posting regular-season wins against Notre Dame, Santa Clara University and Long Beach State. GCU Men's Rugby offers free campus visits to qualified high school junior and senior recruits. These campus visits allow interested athletes to fly to Phoenix and stay overnight in campus residence halls. Recruits have a chance to see the beautiful campus, meet coaches and players and speak with admissions counselors.