From a storied legacy as a Navy club sport to a recent national championship as a new varsity sport, Navy rugby's culture has not changed. The focus remains on developing athletes, producing leaders, and commissioning warfighters in the Navy and Marine Corps.

Ryan Hotaling is just one of many walk-ons, who learned the sport of rugby at the Naval Academy and is using his experiences to become a better leader in the brigade. Hotaling's journey from a novice athlete to the starting hooker for Navy's nationally-ranked rugby team epitomizes his hard work, determination, and resilience.

Walking on to Navy Rugby

A native of upstate New York, Ryan Hotaling played football and was a thrower on his high school track and field team. Upon entering the Naval Academy, he was looking for a new sport and quickly found the club rugby team. 

Hotaling describes walking on to the Navy rugby team as a trial-by-fire, which was a stressful situation. "The coaches wanted to see how much you were willing to learn, as well as how much you were willing to endure," explained Hotaling. "Once you make the roster, you're not done working by any means. You had to earn your spot every day."

At first, Hotaling had to work hard just to get any playing time. He explained that ascension on the rugby team is a silent process. "Whether you are a starter on the A-side or a sub on the B-side, everyone has a job to do," said Hotaling. "If an athlete works hard, they will get their opportunities." 

Hotaling began his career as a loosehead prop and also played some tighthead prop. But, when the coaches asked him to switch to the hooker position for his senior year, Hotaling did not shy away from the challenge. "It's a very technical position that requires a whole new skill set. I was all for it," remarked Hotaling. "It doesn't matter where I play, as long as it's in the best interest of the team."
Through hard work and determination during his senior year, Hotaling became the starting hooker and helped lead the squad to a No. 2 national ranking. Unfortunately, the team's season ended abruptly in a quarterfinal loss to Lindenwood in the CRAA playoffs.

Ascension of Navy Rugby: same team, different status

Hotaling has seen some major changes throughout his career on the rugby pitch. After his plebe year, both the Navy men and women's rugby teams were elevated to varsity status by Navy Athletic Director, Chet Gladchuk. That process came after the teams' successes as club sports and the growing support of the Navy rugby alumni. In its first year as a varsity team, Navy men's rugby went undefeated (18-0) and won the CRAA Division I-A National Championship. In its second season, the team returned to the championship final but lost to St. Mary's by a score of 26-22.

Hotaling has seen the rise in status and funding make a huge impact on the team. "We've been given access to gear vital for our performance," explained Hotaling. "We have new boots that are excellent for scrummaging, interchangeable practice jerseys, and nutritional snacks in the locker room to keep us fueled and hydrated. Even though we have all the perks of a varsity team and have access to skilled recruits, our culture at its core has remained the same and the expectations of us as men have never been higher, and I don't see that changing any time soon."

Leadership Beyond the Pitch

In the Brigade, Hotaling is a platoon commander for 34th company. Just recently, the Naval Academy restored six companies to grow from 30 to 36. It was a challenging process, which moved a small group of Mids from each company to create a new one. Hotaling explained the process was very beneficial and opened up more opportunities for leadership billets. "In the fleet, you'll constantly be starting fresh, meeting new people, and experiencing units that differ from the last," Hotaling said. "Adding these six companies not only opened new windows for leadership opportunities, but also helped us learn how to cultivate a cohesive unit culture."

Ryan Hotaling's service assignment is Marine Corps Ground. Both his exposure around Marine Corps officers on the yard and his experiences at Leatherneck last summer helped solidify that selection. "USNA harps on the fact that it's not about you, but about your sailors and marines," explained Hotaling. "So many of the lessons and experiences I have had with the rugby team are applicable to the fleet and I cannot wait to see what the future holds."

Hotaling's journey from a walk-on to a key player on one of the nation's premier collegiate rugby teams serves as an inspiration to many. As he transitions from the rugby pitch to the Marine Corps, Hotaling's dedication and leadership promise to leave a lasting impact.