Rugby star wants to make Indy the sport’s home field

Two months ago, one of America’s most prominent rugby players—both on the professional and international level—announced he was retiring at the age of 30. As a news event, this wasn’t on the level of an NBA All-Star retiring. But if you were a rugby fan or an alumnus of Indiana University, you probably knew the name Bryce Campbell, who had the distinction of being named the nation’s top collegiate rugby player while competing for IU’s team. Campbell’s new goal is to significantly raise the profile of Indianapolis in the rugby world and turn the city into a hub for the sport at the amateur, professional and national levels.

Campbell is a partner in Riverside Sports Properties, which recently signed a 20-year lease with Indy Parks and Recreation to manage and operate Kuntz Stadium on West 16th Street. It’s in the midst of millions of dollars in improvements to upgrade the field and stadium proper, prior to construction of a training facility, garage and plaza. In this week’s edition of the podcast, Indianapolis-native Campbell recounts his years as a Cathedral High School and IU phenom as well as his distinguished career as a pro and a member of the U.S. national team. He is using those experiences and connections to advance his goal of making Indianapolis the center of the rugby world, including landing a Major League Rugby franchise and carving out a role for the city in the 2031 and 2033 World Cups. And don’t be surprised to see toddlers learning the basics at Kuntz Stadium.