ELSAH, IL – Head rugby coach Philip Kellerman, who has led our Thunder Chickens for the past three years, recently let us know that he has decided to leave his position at the end of June.
We are grateful for Philip's expertise and dedication to building and supporting the Thunder Chickens. In his first season at the helm in the fall of 2022, he led the team to its first-ever Division II 15s national championship, and then successfully navigated the transition to NCR Division I play in January 2023. In Division I competition, they have been invited to compete at the spring 7s national tournament each year and finished in the top 25 in the nation last spring. Their best Division I finish in the 15s season was in fall 2023, where they made it to the national quarter-final round.
We are sorry to see Philip go, as he and his family will be greatly missed on campus. Graduating senior captain Damir Conci will take over as interim head coach, with fellow graduates Bradley Mayekiso and Tobin Blair as assistant coaches.
