The USRF has announced the recipients of the 2016 Kevin Higgins College Scholarships. The $1,000 scholarships, named in honor of one of the all-time great U.S. players, Kevin Higgins, (pictured), are awarded to graduating high school seniors who have gone on to continue their education and rugby at the collegiate level. This year’s recipients brings the total to 82 Higgins Scholarship winners since the program was established in 2008.

“Selecting this year’s recipients of the Kevin Higgins College Scholarships was another difficult task,” said USRF Executive Director Brian Vizard. “We received applications from a number of outstanding young student athletes and the Selection Committee thought long and hard before finally deciding on this year’s 10 recipients. As you’ll read in the writeups, the 10 chosen are all outstanding individuals. I do want to thank all those who sent in applications and I know I speak for the rest of the USRF in wishing them all the best for the future.”

In just his second year of rugby, 2016 Kevin Higgins College Scholarship recipient Kyle Patmore led his team to the state quarterfinals, just one year after that same team finished the previous season with a single win. Although Kyle and his teammates came up short of the title two years in a row, he went back to the drawing board, altered workouts, and increased intensity that helped his team embark on a winning streak that would not be broken. “This was the year I told all the guys that we practice as champions and we play as champions,” said Patmore. And that is exactly what Brighton High School Rugby did! As a result of his excellent leadership and his teammate’s dedication, Brighton finished the regular season as the number one seed and was ultimately crowned state champions.

Kyle played rugby for Brighton High School in Brighton, Michigan for four seasons. During his career, the scholar athlete was a four-time varsity player, three-time varsity captain, state quarterfinalist and a state champion. His continuous excellence and dedication to the game has earned him a spot on the University of Michigan Rugby team in fall of 2016. His rugby goals are simple; he wants to win, be a team player and most importantly, have fun.

“As I experience new atmospheres while playing college rugby, I wish that my three goals can carry over to the next level of play. Through my training and experience I hope to continue starting and hopefully lead a team to another championship. However, off of the pitch I would like to make connections with rugby all over the world. I would love to have a network of connections strictly based on the jersey that I wear on my back,” said Patmore.

He attended Brighton High School and graduated in 2016 with a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. Patmore is just as dedicated to academics as he is to rugby; as he was a four-year honor roll student, academic letter recipient, academic all-state selection, and KLAA scholar athlete. In addition to rugby, he also played football and wrestled for Brighton. He served as a senior service project member, freshman mentor, youth church basketball coach, and Brighton High School lip dub spirit committee member throughout high school. Kyle has volunteered for Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. since 2008.

At the University of Michigan, he will pursue a degree in the medical field and intends to become a certified physical therapist after college. Patmore says that his involvement in athletics has been a strong influence in his curiosity for the human body and how it works. In the future, he hopes he can make a difference in the lives of others by volunteering his time as a physical therapist to many local sports teams and keeping youth athletes safe. Kyle knows that his education with such a prestigious school like the University of Michigan will open many new doors in both his rugby and professional career.

“In a collegiate environment, I see Kyle excelling in all possible directions. I believe he will continue to be a great athlete, get involved with campus groups, and be an extremely successful student. Kyle is a natural leader, he has been the best player a coach could ask for, and I hope wherever he goes, the staff drives him to be his best. I know he will deliver,” said Will Stewart, Brighton High School Rugby head coach.

Kyle can be described as a bit of a legend in the state of Michigan on the rugby pitch, but it isn’t just his talent that sets him apart. University of Michigan Men’s Rugby Head Coach, Brandon Sparks, says that his outstanding character is what makes him a great player and widely known. “He is an incredible young man with character that I hope for my own son to have,” said Sparks. Before Kyle became a part of the Michigan Men’s RFC, Sparks watched Patmore evolve into a standout young man from a referee’s perspective. Sparks noted he watched Kyle interact with his teammates in a way that displayed his dedication to help his team succeed; whether it was shagging balls for his kicker or passing with a new teammate, Kyle was there. “Kyle’s leadership maturity is beyond his age, earning the respect of both sides. I believe that with his commitment, work ethic, and talent, he will be something special for Michigan over the next 4 years.”

Congratulations Kyle, on being named a 2016 Kevin Higgins College Scholarship recipient.