LMU Men’s Rugby Competes in Division I AA Conference for First Time in Years

Loyola Marymount University’s men’s rugby team is navigating a new era, competing in the Division I AA conference for the first time in years. The team faced a tough challenge on February 14th, falling short against crosstown rival University of Southern California (USC) at Sullivan Field, but demonstrated a resilient second-half performance.

Despite the loss, the Lions aren’t letting the setback define their season. They previously secured two wins during a preseason tournament at the University of California, Los Angeles, defeating the University of California, San Diego and Fresno State University. This early success provided a foundation as they transition to the higher level of competition.

The game against USC was a closely contested affair. Trailing 7-0 at halftime, LMU mounted a comeback in the second half, scoring 12 points and finishing just two points shy of victory. “We weren’t playing in the offensive side of the field for the first half, and in the second half, we realized that we had to shift our game plan,” explained Griffin Yarmaloff, a film and television production major and former Loyolan staffer. “Make sure to punt out of our own half and start retaining the ball in the offensive side of the field.”

LMU’s schedule includes rematches against The Claremont Colleges, USC, and Arizona State University (ASU), offering opportunities to build on their performance and refine their strategy. The prospect of a second encounter with USC is particularly motivating for the team and its supporters.

This move to Division I AA represents a significant leap for the program, which was founded 68 years ago. Just two years ago, the club was competing in Division III, and last year they reached the championship matchups in Division II before ultimately falling to USC. The decision to move up was a deliberate one, prioritizing challenge and development over guaranteed wins.

“We were debating whether we wanted to move up to Division I AA this year, and we decided to take on the challenge,” Yarmaloff said. “We probably could have stayed in Division II and won that league this year. Instead, we decided to challenge ourselves and put ourselves in a more difficult position in this higher conference.”

The team’s success isn’t solely reliant on established players. A strong influx of freshman talent is contributing significantly to the program’s growth. “Every year we bring in a new group of guys to play the sport and out of the four years I’ve been here, every new class we get just keeps getting better and better,” Yarmaloff noted. “The freshman class we brought in this year is fantastic. I think we have five starters out of the freshman class… So the engine of our team is really the energy being brought in by the underclassmen, buying into the program we have going on.”

Yarmaloff, despite a recent injury, is taking on a new role as a mentor and strategist. His experience and insights are proving valuable as he guides the younger players and helps refine the team’s approach. “Obviously, I’d love to be out there and fight with my brothers… but what I’ve learned from this time being on the sidelines is I’ve been able to share my experiences,” he explained. “That’s allowed me to take a step back, view the team as a whole and identify holes and problems with the team from a coaching lens and then be able to implement strategy from there.”

The commitment extends beyond the players, with a strong network of alumni providing support and guidance. Former players return to cheer on the team and participate in an alumni game at the end of the season, demonstrating a lasting connection to the program. “We currently have four assistant coaches who have all graduated within the past three years who love the program and would do anything to stick by… they come to games unpaid and on their own free time because they love to see this team succeed,” Yarmaloff said. “I want to be able to help contribute to this team for as long as I can, just like our great alumni have shown us.”

LMU’s next home game is scheduled for March 21st against ASU at Sullivan Field. Fans can follow the team’s progress and find more information on their Instagram page. Yarmaloff expressed confidence in the team’s future, stating, “We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure that we will win this conference in this league.”