Written by Tyler Kuehl
 
The Men's Rugby team has been around the campus of Davenport University for a decade now. The team saw early success with National Championships back in 2011 and 2012. They have seen a plethora of talent walk onto the field at DU over the years.
 
One of the best to ever lace up their boots in a Davenport kit was Anthony Welmers. 'Wally', as he better known as, played for the Panthers from 2011 to 2016. Welmers started playing in rugby in high school at nearby Grandville High School in his junior year, after one of his buddies was able to finally convince him to try it.
 
"I always played football [growing up]," Welmers stated. "So, I was like, 'I get to go tackle people', and it looked fun. I went to watch a bunch of their games their first two years, so I finally pulled the trigger."
 
Welmers came to DU in 2011, mostly for the opportunity to continue to play rugby while receiving a good education close to home. It was certainly a good choice. On top of being on the 2012 National Championship team, Welmers was also named Collegiate 7's All-American in 2015 and 2016.
 
While in Michigan, Welmers was in the Michigan National Guard, earning the rank of Sergeant before being transferred to Utah, all while maintaining his rank.
 
After Davenport, Welmers was admitted into the Army World Class Athlete Program. How he got into it is a mixture of being at the right place at the right time.
 
"It was the Sevens Nationals [in 2015], and we ended playing against the University of Utah. Their coach at the time was Mark Drown, who is the All-Army coach for Sevens. I ended up getting pulled to [the All-Army team], and played in a big tournament over the summer. That is where [Head Coach of the USA 7's Rugby National Team] Mike Friday saw me and pulled me in."
 
The World Class Athlete program is a direct pathway for military personnel to have the opportunity to play in the Olympic Games.
 
Along with his duties training with Team USA, Welmers still plays with the All-Army team when given the chance, along with playing with the USA Falcons, the sevens program that is the main developmental program for the Sevens National Team.
 
Being a full-time rugby player is what Welmers is focusing on now, but is preparing himself to use his degree he earned from Davenport to move into the business world, along with staying involved in the game he loves.
 
"I'm pushing for another [four years] and try and go for the 2024 Olympics. Looking past rugby, I want to try and go into real estate, and maybe do some coaching on the side. I have so much knowledge of the sport that I can pass on to other people."