ELSAH, IL – The Principia College Athletic Department is very pleased to welcome the new head coach of the Thunder Chickens rugby team,
Philip Kellerman!
Kellerman, a native of South Africa, has over 20 years of rugby coaching experience at various levels. After injuries cut his playing career short, he began coaching at age 18 while attending Stellenbosch University, a school just outside Cape Town that is world-renowned for its rugby tradition. Since then, Kellerman has coached at academies and universities in South Africa, as well as multiple club teams in the United States and professional clubs in Portugal and Chile.
Kellerman has consistently taken his teams to the playoffs and won various championships throughout his career. He values good character above all and sees strong relationships as the primary factor for long-term success.
Longtime Thunder Chickens head coach,
Ward Patterson, is thrilled with the choice for his successor, and he will stay on as associate coach this season to help with the transition before retiring.
Patterson says, "Principia College is very fortunate to have Philip join us as the new head rugby coach. He is extremely passionate and driven by details. This combination provides new and veteran players with energy and specific feedback, which will boost their performance on and off the field."
Director of Athletics, Ann Pierson, says, "I am extremely grateful to find such a wonderfully prepared educator to head our rugby program. Phillip is an exceptional coach! I believe he will be able to build on the strong foundation that Ward has laid, and the Thunder Chickens will continue chasing conference and national titles. Coach Kellerman and Patterson have been working closely together all summer to recruit students and prepare for the coming fall season. I'm expecting great things!"
After working to obtain his visa, Kellerman arrived in Elsah a few days ago. "I would like to thank everyone at Principia for the warm welcome," says Kellerman. "I really enjoy the intimacy of a small campus. Everyone is so friendly, and my family and I look forward to getting to know many people and integrating into the community. The team has shown a lot of enthusiasm and potential, so I am delighted to work with them!"
Special thanks to Maria Griswold in Principia's Legal Department and Principia's General Counsel Lee Barron for their help moving mountains to expedite Coach Kellerman's visa process!
