Glacier's Day to play rugby at Wheeling Jesuit

Former Glacier standout Dawson Day has signed to play rugby at Division 1-A Wheeling Jesuit (W.Va.) University.

Day, an all-state wrestler and starter on the football team at Glacier, starred at scrum half each of the last two years for the Kalispell Black & Blue, leading the team to a state championship in 2012.

Day will be joining a Wheeling Jesuit program that will be in its first year at the USA Rugby Division I-A level. The Cardinals, which are Division II in their 19 other sports, will be joining the Rugby East Conference, with Army, Penn State, Delaware and Kutztown University. Three of the four programs ended last season in the top 10 nationally. WJU went 10-4-1 last season.

“It’s a big dream of mine,” Day said. “It’s gonna be really crazy. I’m excited for the opportunity though.”

Day, who is undecided on a major, will continue to play scrum half at the college level. A quick player with good feet and decision-making skills, he fits well into the position, which is akin to the quarterback role in football.

“He had an awesome year,” Black & Blue coach Dave Kenkel said. “It’s great for him to get this opportunity.”