Susquehanna University Men's Rugby

Dr. Jonathan Niles has established Susquehanna University Men’s Rugby as one of the top small college programs in the Mid-Atlantic. He assumed coaching duties in the fall of 2010. Dr. Niles was previously head coach of West Virginia University men’s rugby from 2005-2010 and has more than 20 years of coaching experience. Dr. Niles was previously a visiting faculty member, researcher and the Director of the Freshwater Research Institute at Susquehanna from 2010 to 2021. He currently works for The Nature Conservancy and teaches Biology and Ecology courses as an adjunct professor in the Biology Department. Niles resides in Selinsgrove, Pa. with his wife, Toni, and sons George and Jack.

Randy McGregor joined the Susquehanna University Rugby Club in 2015. He works primarily with the backs as an attack coach in the rugby 15s season in the fall. During his time at SU, he has helped the 15s team compile an overall record of 39-7, including four EPRU/MARC Championships, and four top-20 national rankings. In 2019, the River Hawks finished in the Top 10. McGregor has also been instrumental in turning a solid rugby 7s program into a perennial national powerhouse. Adopting a mantra of "anyone, anywhere, anytime," the SU rugby 7s program has compiled a record of 125-24 against DI and DII college rugby programs with an international style of play. McGregor started playing rugby in 1985 at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, where he played fullback and was field captain and club vice president. He helped start and coach a girls' and boys' program at a local high school in Minnesota. In 2013, his family moved from Minnesota to Lewisburg, PA, where he coached the backs and 7s team at Bucknell University (2013-14). He holds a USA Rugby Level 200 Coaching Ceritifcate along with certificates in safe sport and completion of other in game certifications and coursework. McGregor creates a challenging yet fun atmosphere within the club while not losing sight of the importance of academics.

EDUCATION: B.A. in creative writing - Susquehanna University (2014) Master's in Fine Arts - University of Maryland (2017) Anthony "Tony" Zitta '14 joined the Susquehanna men's rugby coaching staff in the fall of 2018. Zitta is an alumnus of SU's men's rugby program. The Lehigh Valley, Pa., native has been an adjunct professor in the English and Creative Writing Department at Susquehanna since returning to campus. He works closely with the Global Opportunities (GO) Office, teaching vital GO Prep and Reflection courses related to the various study abroad programs students complete before graduating. Having been a student-athlete at Susquehanna, Zitta is excited to share his experiences and work with current students to develop the habits and attitudes that stuck with him on the field and in the classroom. Updated: February 17, 2021