Scholarships
Rugby Scholarship Opportunities
Two annual scholarships helping incoming student-athletes commit to Florida Gators Rugby.
2027 - 2028
Available Scholarships
Florida Rugby Alumni Scholarship
Read scholarship description.
Amount
$5,000 ($2,500/semester)
Eligible
Incoming Students
Number Awarded
1
Availlable
2027-2028
Program
Men
The Florida Rugby Alumni Scholarship is Gator rugby paying itself forward. Every player who has worn the orange and blue since 1969 walked into a club someone else built. Phil Whyatt and Tony Barker started it that March, after a cricket match convinced them the University of Florida needed a rugby side, and the Gators won their first match that November, 15–3 over Georgia. The alumni who followed have kept the club going ever since.
This scholarship is funded by those alumni. It honors the players and supporters who established rugby at Florida, and it goes to the player who will carry it forward: an incoming men's player who intends to play both 15s and 7s across the fall and spring semesters.
Mark Carpenter Scholarship
Read scholarship description.
Amount
$5,000 ($2,500/semester)
Eligible
Incoming Students
Number Awarded
1
Availlable
2027-2028
Program
Men
The Mark Carpenter Memorial Scholarship honors the memory and legacy of Mark Carpenter (1977–2000), a dedicated athlete, leader, and mentor whose commitment to rugby and the University of Florida community exemplified the sport's highest ideals.
Mark joined the University of Florida Rugby program in 1978 and remained devoted to the team, the university, and the rugby community for over two decades. A formidable prop and second-row forward, Mark was known for his tireless work ethic, physical determination, and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite battling chronic knee injuries throughout his playing career, he refused to abandon his pursuit of excellence, dedicating himself to strength training, endurance work, and the demanding pack play that drove Florida Rugby forward.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Mark served as an officer of Florida Rugby, including terms as President and Secretary, and played an instrumental role in securing funding and resources for the program during its early development. As a dedicated member of the selection committee, he brought both passion and strategic thinking to team building. Mark's greatest impact, however, came through his mentorship of younger players—teammates have credited him with leaving an indelible mark on their rugby careers and their lives.
After graduation, Mark's commitment never wavered. He sought out and played for rugby clubs in every town he lived in, from Oklahoma City to Austin to South Florida, embodying rugby's spirit of community and belonging until his passing in 2000.
Timeline
How to Apply
1
2
Connect with the Director of Rugby for guidance
3
4
Receive UF acceptance
5
Considered for UFRAA financial support
Apply
I’m Interested
Please fill out the form as completely as possible. Your submission will be forwarded to Director of Rugby and Head Coach.
FAQ
Answers to the Most Common Questions
Gators Rugby offers two scholarships for the 2027–2028 year, each worth $5,000 paid as $2,500 per semester, with one of each awarded: the Florida Rugby Alumni Scholarship and the Mark Carpenter Scholarship. Both are for incoming students and are funded by the University of Florida Rugby Alumni Association, not the university.
The Florida Rugby Alumni Scholarship is $5,000, paid as $2,500 per semester across the academic year. One award is made for 2027–2028. It's funded from the Florida Rugby Endowment through the 1969 Society, the alumni who contribute to that permanent fund.
The Mark Carpenter Scholarship is $5,000, paid as $2,500 per semester, with one award made for 2027–2028. It honors Mark Carpenter, who joined the University of Florida rugby program in 1978, played as a prop and second-row forward, and served the club as both President and Secretary.
Both Gators Rugby scholarships are for incoming students coming to the University of Florida to play, who intend to play across both the fall and spring seasons. One of each is awarded for 2027–2028, and both are currently designated for the men's program. Applicants complete the scholarship form, connect with the Director of Rugby, apply to UF by the university's deadline, and are considered for UFRAA support after acceptance.
Both currently listed Gators Rugby scholarships — the Florida Rugby Alumni Scholarship and the Mark Carpenter Scholarship — are designated for the men's program.
Apply in five steps: complete the scholarship application form on gatorsrugby.com, connect with the Director of Rugby for guidance, apply to the University of Florida by the university's application deadline, receive UF acceptance, and then be considered for financial support from the University of Florida Rugby Alumni Association.
No. The Gators Rugby scholarship application comes first in the sequence, followed by a conversation with the Director of Rugby and then the University of Florida application itself. UF acceptance is required before the University of Florida Rugby Alumni Association finalizes financial support, but it isn't required to start the process.
The Gators Rugby scholarship application asks for contact details, graduating year, current GPA, how many years of schooling remain, and a written response on why the applicant deserves a scholarship. Submissions go directly to the Director of Rugby and Head Coach.
The Gators Rugby scholarships are funded by alumni, not the university. The Florida Rugby Alumni Scholarship draws on the Florida Rugby Endowment, a permanent fund held at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida whose principal is never spent and which distributes a share of its value each year to the University of Florida Rugby Alumni Association.
Each award is $2,500 per semester across the fall and spring, for a $5,000 total.
Your submission goes to the Director of Rugby and the Head Coach. Financial support is decided by the University of Florida Rugby Alumni Association, the alumni body that funds both awards.