Camp Staff
Clemson Coach Justin Hickey (left), Furman Coach John Roberts (center) and UNC-G coach Jeremy Linne return to the Furman Rugby Camp this summer. They will be joined by University of Tennessee Coach Marty Bradley
John Roberts -- Camp Director
Coach Roberts founded the Furman Rugby program in 1998, and has guided the team to three national Division III titles and five South Championships. His career coaching record is 156-58-1. Over the past four years, his teams, known for their well-drilled and passionate play, have compiled a remarkable 61-14 record. Roberts has served as coach of the Palmetto Collegiate All-Stars for three years.He currently serves as Commissioner of the Southern Rugby Conference, which includes 12 Div. II college teams.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Roberts was president of the Gamecocks rugby team and has played for men's teams in Augusta and Greenville. He has been a lifelong ambassador for rugby and is very well regarded in rugby circles. He is intensely competitive and a master motivator who believes that "perfect practice makes perfect."Two years ago, Roberts founded the Greer Spartans High School team with his son, Zach. In 2010, the young team was winless, 0-8. The team improved to 10-4-1 in 2011 and currently have a 10-1 in 2012.
Roberts has worked at Furman University for 15 years. He currently serves as Communications Director in the university's department of marketing and public relatins. In 2009, the Furman University’s Board of Trustees voted to name the rugby pitch in his honor. Roberts is married Brandis Timmons Roberts. They have five children, Zach, 17, Maggie, 15, Alley, 14, Julianna, 13 and Max, 11. They live in Greenville, 15 minutes from campus.
Marty Bradley -- Coach
The head coach of the Volunteers, Bradley played collegiate rugby at Tennessee Technological University (1983-1987). In 1988 he moved to Knoxville and joined the Knoxville Rugby Club where he played for 8 years, serving as captain for 5. Bradley joined the Volunteer coaching staff in 1996 as an assistant coach. In 2001 he helped found the Smoky Mountain Athletic Club and brought high school rugby to East Tennessee. Coach Bradley took over the coaching duties of the boys team at Bearden High School in 2010 and continues to serve as head coach today with the assistance of players from Tennessee.
Bradley serves as Chair of the Collegiate Eligibility Committee for USA Rugby and has served as the Collegiate Director for USA Rugby South from 2008 through 2010. Upon the formalization of the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference in 2010, Bradley stepped in to serve as a founding board member and treasurer.
With a degree in Finance from TTU, Coach Bradley went to work for the Knoxville Post Office Credit Union in 1988 and still works there today, serving as its Executive Vice President. Bradley and his wife Shauna have two daughters: Claire (16) and Olivia (13).
Jeremy Linne - Coach
A native of Detroit, Jeremy Linne graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2004 where he played scrumhalf and served as a two-year captain for the Volunteers Rugby Program. While an undergrad, he coached the Northside Barbarians, a high school team in Knoxville, for three years leading them to a Bowl Championship. After graduation, Linne played for the Chicago Lions, a Super-League team, and the Naples (Florida) Hammerheads. In 2008, he moved to Greensboro and took the reins of UNC-G rugby, a program that had not won a game in two years. In 2008-09, his squad compiled a 6-9 record. The next year, UNC-G amassed a remarkable 13-2 record.
Linne, who has earned a Master’s degree from George Washington University, is highly structured, has boundless energy, and excels at coaching the basics. As a seven-year teacher in charter and public schools, he knows how to communicate with young men. Linne currently coaches eighth grade language arts at Northeast Middle School. He and his wife, Kellie, live in Greensboro.
Justin Hickey – Coach
Coach Hickey began his playing career in 1998, at Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the cougars enjoyed the success of a state championship in the program’s first year. Hickey continued his career at Central Michigan University, where he represented and captained the Midwest Champion Michigan Collegiate Select Side on a number of occasions and competed in the National College All Star Championships in 2003 with the Midwest Collegiate Thunderbirds.
Upon concluding his college playing career, Hickey played senior men’s rugby around the Midwest as well as a stint in the UK for National Division 2 Halifax RUFC. During his time stateside, Hickey competed with the Detroit Tradesmen (D1), the Grand Rapids Gazelles (D1), and the Chicago Griffins (RSL). From 2004-2009 Hickey enjoyed the success of 3 appearances in the USA Rugby Round of 16 (15s) and 2 appearances in the USA Rugby Round of 16 (7s), as well as 4 appearances for the Midwest Thunderbird 15s and 3 appearances for the Midwest Thunderbird 7s.
Hickey began his coaching career where his playing career started, as Asst. Coach at Catholic Central High School. From there, Hickey was involved in starting the Davenport University Varsity Rugby team in Grand Rapids, in 2009, which went on to win a USA Rugby Division 1 National Championship this past season. Hickey was hired in January 2011, as the Head Coach for Clemson University Rugby, and serves as Manager for the USA Rugby U20 Junior All American Team as well as the Assistant Coach/Manager for the USA Rugby High School All American Team, which did and will tour this summer to UK/Republic of Georgia, and Bristish Columbia respectively. Hickey and his girlfriend Sarah, live in Clemson.
