North Carolina standout to join Furman

Jacob Milchuck, the 2012 most valuable player for the Raleigh (N.C.) Rattlesnakes and captain of last year’s North Carolina U-17 All-star team, has accepted a Furman rugby scholarship and will enroll at the university this fall.

Milchuck, the son of Frank and Beth Milchuck, is a senior at Athens Drive High School. An honor student and a rugby youth referee (level I), Jacob began playing rugby four years ago for the Rattlesnakes, a team his father currently coaches.

Since that time, he has kicked almost every conversion and penalty kick for the Rattlesnakes and has a range of 50 meters.  Milchuck, 6-1’ and 210 pounds, has played scrum-half and fly-half.

“I’m honored to accept this scholarship to play the game that I love.  My goal is to compete at the highest level and I’m confident that Furman University will fit both my academic and rugby needs.”

Frank Milchuck, a longtime rugby player, is proud that his son earned a scholarship playing the sport he loves.

“With rugby becoming more popular and being included in the Olympics, I feel Furman University is being smart by investing in this sport,” he said. “ By offering scholarship dollars, Furman will be recognized nationally not only for its academics but for its commitment to the game.  I am impressed with Furman Rugby’s conviction to be a true “scholar athlete” program.”

Furman Head Coach John Roberts said he first took notice of Jacob during last year’s high school all-star competition. Milchuck, he said, emerged as a scholarship candidate after attending the Furman Rugby Camp.

“Jacob will be a great fit for us and Furman. He is a coach’s son, understands the game well, has a booming kick and is a serious student,” says Roberts. “We will have a dynamic backline next year and I expect Jacob to contribute.”

Milchuck is part of Furman’s first scholarship rugby class that currently includes Zach Roberts (Greer Spartans) and Adam Miller (Greenville Red Raiders). Last spring, the university, partnering with rugby alumni, launched a scholarship program that will provide tuition assistance to five or more players each year.