2023-24 Richard A. Donelli Memorial Scholarship Recipient: Callie Rautenbach
Callie Rautenbach started her rugby career in Oxford, England. Once she moved stateside, she joined the North Pitt United Rugby Club and became a pillar in the local rugby community. She has appeared on the pitch for various teams including the West Pittsburgh Foxes and Blair United Rugby Club and was selected to high school select teams like the Allegheny Rugby Union, Pennsylvania Select Side, Celtic Barbarians (Hawkeyes Academy), and Atlantis.
“Growing up in the UK and starting rugby at a young age gave Callie important insight into the game. She uses that knowledge to thrive on the pitch. Callie has been our captain and leader the last few years and ended her undefeated senior season hoisting the Rugby PA D2 Western Championship trophy. Her on-field presence is unmatched. Callie is North Pitt United’s leading try and point scorer and her totals will be nearly impossible to match,” said Alex Galia, North Pitt United Rugby High School Girls Head Coach.
Rautenbach graduated from North Allegheny High School in Wexford, Pennsylvania with a 4.2 weighted GPA. She was a mul-tisport athlete, garnering numerous honors in field hockey and girls wrestling. When she was not competing, she could be found completing community service hours with the National Honor Society Chapter of North Allegheny or volunteering as a youth coach with the North Pitt Utd Youth Rugby Program, North Allegheny Field Youth Field Hockey, and North Allegheny Junior Tigers Wrestling.
Callie will attend Penn State University where she will study criminology while playing for the elite DI club squad. Her ultimate rugby goal is to advance to the international level. During her college tenure, she intends to work for the Penn State Campus Police gaining career experience prior to pursing a role within the FBI or SWAT team. After graduation, she plans to serve in the US Army.
