The Winona State Men's Rugby Club will travel to Milwaukee on Saturday, June 27, 2026 to compete in the Lakefront 7s, billed as the largest summer rugby event in the nation. The tournament has been hosted annually on the shores of Lake Michigan since 1983, and this year's edition is expected to draw more than 125 teams and over 2,000 athletes across 15 fields running simultaneously.

The Doggs are no strangers to the lakefront. The club has made the trip to Milwaukee in recent summers as part of its 7s slate, and the event has become a regular fixture on the team's offseason calendar. This year, the squad is looking to build on a competitive spring that included tournament runs at Frozen 7s, Mudfest, and All Saints.

Lakefront 7s features competitive brackets across men's, women's, boys', and girls' divisions for all age groups and skill levels, giving the Doggs a chance to test themselves against college sides, men's clubs, and select sides from across the Midwest and beyond.

The tournament traditionally sells out, and spectators are welcome along the lakefront throughout the day. Friends, family, and alumni making the trip can find venue maps, parking information, and the spectator guide on the official Lakefront 7s website. Match draws and pool assignments will be released closer to tournament day.

Follow the team on the Socials page for live updates from Milwaukee and recap coverage after the final whistle.

The Winona State Men's Rugby Club is searching for a new head coach to lead the program beginning with the Fall 2026 season. This is a paid position with a stipend of $2,500 per semester ($5,000 per academic year), covering both the fall 15s season and the spring 7s/15s season.

The Doggs are looking for someone who can commit to the full rhythm of a college rugby program: practices three times per week during the season, and travel to away matches across the upper Midwest on weekends. Prior coaching experience and rugby credentials are a plus, but they are not required — the club is open to applicants from a range of backgrounds. What matters most is passion for the game, reliability, and a real commitment to developing the players and the program.

The team is especially interested in hearing from candidates based in or near Winona, MN, Rochester, MN, or La Crosse, WI, where a reasonable commute makes the practice schedule sustainable across the full season. Coaches from former club players, area men's-side players, or experienced coaches looking to give back to the college game are all encouraged to reach out.

Interested? Send a quick note about your background and rugby experience to alumni@wsumensrugby.com. We're happy to answer questions, talk through the role, and meet with serious candidates ahead of the fall season.