McKendree University Athletics Director
Anthony Francis has announced the hiring of Cameron Wyper as the school's second-ever men's and women's head rugby coach. His first day on the job was Monday, Aug. 9.
"We are very excited to add Cameron to the McKendree Athletics family. He brings a lot of experience in the sport of rugby at both the professional and collegiate level," Francis said. "This hiring will do nothing but help us to continue build our rugby program into one to the top programs around."
Wyper comes to McKendree after serving as the Academy Director and Mental skills coach for Rugby ATL. Where he was responsible for defining and coordinating the identification and development of age grade talent in the Southeast USA.
"I am extremely excited about the platform that has been created at McKendree University Rugby, and the long-term ambition that Anthony (Francis), Beth (Bowers], and the Athletics department have, not only for the Rugby Program, but for Athletics as a whole. My job now is to provide a facilitative learning environment for collegiate rugby players that encourages their individual development through high quality shared experiences and resources."
Prior to working in the professional ranks, Wyper spent three years (2016-19) as the Director of Rugby and the Men's Rugby Head Coach at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz, where he helped guide the Lopes to the D1A Playoffs two year in a row, they finished the regular season nationally ranked at no. 11 (2017) and no.15 (2018). The Lopes were also D1A National 7's Championship semi-finalists (2018) and quarterfinalists (2017 and 2019).
Prior to coaching, Wyper developed his skills as a player on the Professional stage. He has served as a National Representative for Scotland Rugby 7's, played for University of Vigo Rugby (División De Honor, Spain), Dundee Rugby in the Scottish Premiership, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Brumbies Runners. Additionally, Wyper has represented ACT Brumbies Senior State rugby team. He also represented Tuggeranong Vikings/Easts Rugby in the John I Dent Cup and NSW Country First XV in the Australian Rugby Shield.
"I have no doubt Coach Wyper will be able to attract some talented rugby players to McKendree," said Francis. "His values align with the mission of the university and will be able to find student-athletes that will excel on the field as well as in the classroom. We're excited to have him here and can't wait to see what he is able to do with our rugby programs."
Wyper, who is a USA Rugby, Level 300 Certified Coach, earned his Master of Science in Health Psychology in 2018 from Grand Canyon University and graduated in 2016 from Lindenwood University with a Bachelor of Exercise Science degree.
