New Head Coach Commits to Long-term Success
July 8th 2009
Raleigh businessman, Jay Wisse, was named Head Coach of Duke Rugby in April 2009. Wisse, a former scrumhalf with New York Athletic Club (NYAC) and Bay Area RFC is a USA Rugby-certified coach with coaching experience at UNCG, Raleigh Rattlesnakes and NC State. Wisse is long-time sports executive who has held management positions in several major, professional front offices including the San Antonio Spurs and the Carolina Hurricanes. He is CEO of Wisse, Hollmann & Co, a sports property consulting firm headquartered in Raleigh.
Coach Wisse met with club officers in the spring to discuss long term goals and plans for the success and growth of Duke Rugby. All parties expressed the desire to take the program from its current Division 3 status to its rightful place amongst its ACC rivals. The team committed to putting in the effort to achieve the goal of achieving Division 1 status by 2012 and Coach Wisse showed his commitment by agreeing to serve as head coach for a minimum of four years. Under Wisse's guidance, the team will be committing to a new style of training, preparation and play known as Total Rugby as practiced by 2008 Rugby Super League Champions, NYAC.
Wisse will also consult the club on administrative issues in order to help improve the program. Current players, rugby alumni, university administration and the student body will all play critical roles in establishing a culture of excellence and ultimately making Duke Rugby a force in the ACC and the nation.
Any player, parent, administrator, Duke student or alumnus may email club Vice President, Jacob Wood for a copy of the club bylaws, and operating plan. Club strategic plan and tactical guidelines will be provided to all players at the beginning of the fall 2009 season.