Geneva College Rugby is proud to highlight the continued success of alumnus Gabe Willis, whose dedication to the game has carried him to new heights…
Geneva College Rugby is proud to highlight the continued success of alumnus Gabe Willis, whose dedication to the game has carried him to new heights in the rugby community.
A few years after graduating from Geneva, Gabe joined the Pittsburgh Harlequins RFC, where he quickly established himself as an offensive threat in the backline. His consistent performances earned him multiple “Man of the Match” honors throughout the season, culminating in being named the club’s “Most Valuable Back.” Building on that success, Gabe took the field with the South Pittsburgh Hooligans RFC, contributing to one of the most successful seasons in the club’s history. Recognizing his talent and hard work, Gabe was selected to represent the Allegheny Rugby Union Select Side, competing alongside some of the top players in the region. Additionally, he has always looked to give back by coaching for both the men's and women's rugby clubs at Geneva.
From the South Pitt Hooligans:
"This past year marked one of the most successful chapters in South Pittsburgh Rugby history—defined by two words: firsts and culture.
We hit milestones that had never been achieved before in club history:
First time fielding two teams for league play.
First time playing two league matches on the same Saturday.
First time qualifying both teams for playoffs, competing in games 350 miles apart.
First time reaching the D3 Midwest Semifinals and Finals, earning first place in the Midwest.
We didn’t stop there. After our Midwest championship win, we advanced to the Super Regionals, where we secured a hard-fought victory over St. Louis, before falling to a powerhouse Denver Highlanders side—just one game short of the National Final Four.
This kind of performance doesn’t happen without culture. South Pitt’s culture is built on resilience, consistency, and community. It’s bouncing back from early-season setbacks. It’s building out a D4 side that would have been a D3 contender in their own right. It’s turning away matches in Cleveland and Chicago into home-field atmospheres through sheer grit and support. Next year the Hooligans will be making the jump to Division 2 for the first time in the club's history. The competition will tougher, but the Hooligans are eager and up to the challenge."
About Gabe Willis, South Pitt had this to say:
"One standout story from the year was the emergence of Gabe Willis, a proud Geneva College alum, who joined the club in the fall of 2024. Gabe played a key role in our Division 4 playoff run and earned valuable minutes at fullback and wing at the D3 level throughout the spring, contributing meaningfully to the team’s run through the Midwest championship and the Super Regionals tournament. His rapid impact speaks volumes about both his talent and the welcoming, growth-oriented culture of the club."
Scoring two tries in the first 15-minutes of the first match, Gabe Willis's recap on the ARU Select Side:
"I took part in the Midwest Thunder Bird Cup in Chicago at Seat Geek Stadium home of the Chicago Hounds MLR Rugby team. This tournament comprised of select sides from all across the country. Our first match was against the select side from Michigan Rugby Union... ARU defeated Michigan 71-12. After the match we watched the Chicago Hounds vs NOLA Gold match. Day 2 was the championship match for the Thunderbird Cup vs Wisconsin where unfortunately we lost 22-10. It was a great opportunity to represent Allegheny Rugby Union, and I can't thank my teammates enough for making it an experience I'll never forget."
Gabe’s achievements on the field reflect not only his personal commitment to the sport but also the lasting impact of his time at Geneva College. His journey serves as a testament to the strength of Geneva Rugby’s culture - developing players who demonstrate character and excellence. We’re proud to count Gabe among our alumni and look forward to following his continued success in the game.