IU’s Kelley School to help pro rugby players get graduate degrees
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Some of the rugby athletes currently competing overseas in the Olympic Games could have an easier path to graduate degrees thanks to Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
Kelley is partnering with the U.S. Rugby Players Association and Major League Rugby Players Association to offer athletes a chance to take MBA degree programs online. They can also apply for certificate programs in business and choose from several Master of Science degree programs.
Once in the programs, rugby players will be placed with a general group of students. One of the degree’s key pillars is the Kelley Capstone Experience, which places students in teams to work on real-world projects.
In addition, Kelley’s partnership with the rugby unions includes an in-person program at Kelley, which focuses on entrepreneurship.
Ash Soni, dean of the Kelley School, said the new partnership with the rugby unions is the latest example of Kelley working with professional sports leagues to help athletes get graduate degrees.
“We are very pleased to continue our record of delivering business education to highly accomplished professional athletes,” Soni said. “As a professional sport, rugby is on the fast track in the U.S. I’ve been a rugby fan since my college days in England and look forward to seeing these professional rugby players in our Kelley classes.”
Earlier this week the U.S. women’s sevens rugby team won a bronze medal in a thrilling comeback victory over Australia. It’s the first time a U.S. team has won an Olympic medal in rugby.