2022-23 Terry O'Reilly Memorial Scholarship Program Recipient: Cormac Saint
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As a young kid moving from England to the United States, Cormac Saint had three rugby goals in mind for his future, one of which was to play for Cal Rugby. With the opportunity to play for Cal within reach, the opportunities are endless for Cormac!
Having grown up in the birthplace of rugby, the love of the game has been in the Saint family for generations. Cormac grew up around the pitch acting as the water or tee boy before he finally got the opportunity to grace the try zone at seven years old. He played for Mother Lode Rugby Club from 2010 to 2022 and served as team captain on numerous occasions. In addition, he played for several representative sides including the Celtic Barbarians, NorCal All Stars, Bay Area Sharks Rugby Academy, Giltinis Rugby Academy, and the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy. With the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy, Cormac served as team captain and was selected for the British, Canada and Ireland Tours, as well as competed in numerous tournaments across the United States. He also played for the North American Lions earning a runner up title in the 2021 Dubai 7s U19 invitational.
“I have had the pleasure of coaching Cormac Saint who has been a Mother Lode Rugby Player for the last seven years. During that time, he has developed as a player and person on many fronts. Cormac consistently exercises good judgment and adjusts his style to captain our team, to motivate and form a cohesive team group. He has a strong work ethic, dedication, listens to and applies feedback provided. Cormac brings a positive, can-do approach to the team which is motivating and inspiring. He leads the team by example on and off the field,” said Pete Lisson, Mother Lode Rugby Varsity Coach.
Corman graduated from Ponderosa High School in the spring of 2022 with a 3.92 GPA. He was an avid learner, challenging himself to take three Advance Placement courses and ranking 90th out of 460 students in his class. Aside from excelling in rugby, Cormac was involved in several on campus clubs including Ponderosa High School Link Crew, AVID 1, and Ponderosa WAM (Walk a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes). He assisted with transportation and maintenance at Summitview Child and Family Services and was also a physical education teaching assistant for Pleasant Grove Middle School. His other involvements included participating in Cameron Park Fire Explorers and actively working as a ranch hand. He was a four-year member of the Ponderosa High School football team and competed for the soccer and ski and snowboard teams. His impressive resume has earned him the opportunity to continue his academic and rugby career at his dream school, the University of California, Berkeley.
“We believe Cormac has strong potential. He is a very mature young man which will serve him well in the classroom and on the field of play. This Fall, he was a member of our Sevens squad, playing with the Cal reserve side which was 5-1 versus opposition first teams. Cormac is a high character individual with a strong work ethic,” said Cal Varsity Rugby Head Coach, Jack Clark.
While competing for the Bears, Cormac intends to pursue a business degree with aspirations of attaining a career in finance or accounting. His rugby goals include wanting to earn a nod for a USA Rugby age grade or developmental team and advancing his career at the MLR level or overseas. Later in life, Cormac is interested in helping youth athletes develop as players and people by becoming a coach.
