About the Montana State Women’s Rugby Club
Women’s Club Rugby was born out of the efforts of several individuals and many former players who worked to resurrect women’s rugby in Bozeman and at Montana State around 2011. After hard work from many determined men and women, we formed an all-college student club and joined Rocky Mountain Rugby’s Division II Women’s Collegiate Conference in 2015. In 2017, the club grew and joined the Division I Conference which we compete in today.
Our members are Montana State University students who have previously played rugby or are just coming out for the first time to play. This year we had the most interest in the sport with around 40 new players. We are excited to have so much interest in rugby and are excited to foster a love for the sport!
Coaches
Dustin Vertin
Head Coach
Dustin Vertin grew up in the Bay Area of California. He was first introduced to rugby in high school in 2004 and 2005 where he gained an admiration for the sport. During college he pursued football, but after graduating, quickly found rugby again. In 2009 he played with previous high school teammates in California before moving to Bozeman in 2010 and finding the local men’s club here. He played many positions for the Cutthroats, helping him gain experience and appreciation for all aspects of the game. In August 2017, Dustin joined the Montana State Women’s program as an assistant and forwards coach in an effort to pass on knowledge and passion for the sport to the next generation. He took over as the head coach of the program in the fall of 2019.
Karie Orendorff
Karie found the sport of rugby while traveling around Australia. Watching the Eastern Suburbs play she asked, “do girls play rugby” and never looked back. Starting her career with Coast Rugby in Long Beach she has played All-Stars for Southern California, for the Santa Monica Women’s Team and for the Columbia Bombshells in South Carolina. Her playing career spans 20 years and if her knees worked, she would still be playing. Karie started her coaching career in 2004 for Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary’s Boys and Girls High School Rugby Teams. Since then, she has coached teams at the collegiate level, women’s level and various All-Star levels throughout the US. Igniting people’s passion for rugby is one of her favorite things to do! Her main position was Lock but she tries to convince people she would be an amazing Wing! In the Fall of 2019, she joined the coaching staff at Montana State University assisting Dustin Vertin with the women’s rugby team.
Executive Committee
Mary Sanchez
Jessie Tuggey
Sam Gardner
