Our staff blends decades of elite coaching, sports science, performance analysis, and athletic medicine — built around a single goal: developing world-class women's rugby players.
Rys leads Life University Women's Rugby as Director of Women's Rugby. Since taking the helm in August 2022, he has transformed the Running Eagles into the most dominant force in U.S. collegiate women's rugby — culminating in a historic Triple Crown in 2025/26: the CRAA Division I XVs National Championship (40-14 over BYU), the CRAA Premier 7s National Championship (17-12 over Lindenwood in overtime), and the USA Rugby Division I Club 15s National Championship. His teams have built one of the most consistent winning records in the women's game — approximately 87% over four-plus years of CRAA and NIRA competition, including a near-perfect 18-0 XVs season in 2025/26.
A World Rugby Level 3 qualified coach and licensed World Rugby Coach Educator, Chadwick brings over 15 years of elite-level experience to the program. His career spans international, professional, collegiate, and youth coaching — including Defense Coach for Rugby ATL in Major League Rugby (Fire & Ice Cup winners, 2023), Director of Performance & Development at the American Rugby Pro Training Center, and Executive Director of the Northeast Academy. He is also Founder & CEO of The Rugby Advantage, Women's D1 Elite Commissioner for CRAA, and a member of CRAA's College Council Committee. He holds an MSc in Coaching Science from Hartpury College and a BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching.
Beyond on-field results, Chadwick has rebuilt every layer of the program. Under his leadership, the team's collective GPA has climbed from 2.82 to 3.36 — a 19.4% improvement reflecting his demand for academic excellence alongside on-field dominance. He has reduced annual injury counts by 69% (39 in 2022/23 → 12 in 2024/25) through integrated strength & conditioning, recovery, and medical protocols, with zero surgeries required in 2024/25. The program now produces 10-12 USA All-Americans every season, and has built a pathway pipeline placing players into USA Rugby 7s, 15s, USA Falcons, U23, U20 and U18 national squads — five players currently hold WER (Women's Elite Rugby) professional contracts.
His coaching is guided by the B.R.A.V.E. philosophy — Bold, Relentless, Accurate, Versatile, Excellent — and prioritises the human development behind every player. Hands-on, chaotic, game-replicating training is paired with 1-1 mentoring, video analysis, and individualised feedback. The program he is building is a rugby factory — built to win national championships, develop international players, and prepare student-athletes for life beyond the pitch.
One of the all-time greats in Life U women's rugby history. Rom finished her career as Life U's very first four-time USA Rugby Collegiate All-American, earning the honour in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
She led the team to its very first championship in 2016 (USA Rugby D1 7s National Championship) and was pivotal in back-to-back CRC 7s championships in 2016 and 2017. Rom also led the team to their first D1 Elite National Championship game in 2018.
Selected for the USA Under-20s team in 2016, a 2019 MA Sorenson Award finalist, earned her first cap with the US Women's National 15s Team against New Zealand in 2018, and a second cap against England. Won the prestigious Life University Athletics Student-Athlete of the Year award in 2019 as the top female student-athlete across all Life U sports.
A powerhouse Strength and Conditioning Coach with over 12 years of experience transforming athletes across diverse sports and competitive levels. Master's in Kinesiology from Auburn University. Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS), Corrective Exercise Specialist (NASM-CES), and Behavior Change Specialist (NASM-BCS).
Prior to joining Life U she honed her craft with Auburn University's Softball team, driving the performance of elite NCAA athletes to new heights. A former two-time First Team All-American and 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year finalist — she knows what it takes to compete at the top.
Her coaching fuses cutting-edge exercise physiology with practical strategies, focusing on performance optimisation, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. A science-driven, athlete-centered approach that ensures every player thrives in a world-class training environment.
Brings a strong foundation of performance analysis and rugby-specific support to the program. His journey in the sport includes experience as a student-athlete and video analyst at the University of North Texas (2019–2020).
He served the Dallas Harlequins (2020–2024) as a Video and Stats Analyst, and the Dallas Jackals (2022–2024) as both Performance Analyst and Assistant Team Manager. Most recently he contributed his skills to the USA U19 Rugby Americas North side in 2025.
A dynamic Certified Athletic Trainer with over five years of experience fuelling athlete success. A 2020 graduate of Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, Kevin has devoted his career to optimising athlete health, recovery, and peak performance.
Four years at Life University — including roles as full-time Athletic Trainer and Graduate Assistant. Three and a half years embedded with the Women's Rugby program, delivering exceptional injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation tailored to the demands of elite rugby.
Advanced certifications: Dry Needling Level I, Graston Technique M1, Sports Massage, Blood Flow Restriction Level 1. Kevin blends cutting-edge, evidence-based techniques with an unwavering passion for athlete well-being.
Operations Manager for the Life University Women's Rugby program. A former Life U player and current member of the USA national team pathway pool, Autumn brings player-side perspective and rigorous operational organisation to every detail of the program — from logistics and travel to player support and gameday coordination.
Joined Life University as Campus Dietitian and Assistant Professor in August 2021. A Certified Sports Specialist Dietitian (CSSD) currently working with every athletic team at Life University.
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Georgia. Dietetic Internship at Vanderbilt University. Master's degree from Georgia State University in Exercise Physiology. Over 25 years of experience working with athletes in both collegiate and professional settings.
Under Pendergast's leadership, Life University's athletic success has soared. In the past three years, student-athletes earned 36 individual national championships, seven team national championships, and 194 All-American honours.
Life University has placed inside the top 15 in NACDA Director's Cup final standings for three consecutive years (highest finish 7th in 2023, top 10 in 2025). In 2023 Life U captured both the men's and women's Premier 7s Rugby National Championship, and in 2024 the program captured its very first D1 Elite Women's 15s National Championship.
Member of NACDA, NAIA Athletic Directors Association, and Women Leaders in College Sports. Chair of the NAIA NAC Rules Committee. Named 2023 Southern States Athletic Director of the Year, 2024 Women Leaders in Sports Nike NAIA Executive of the Year, and a 2024 Women of Influence by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Apply today, or contact Director of Women's Rugby Ryszard Chadwick directly to learn more about joining the program.
