GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Coming off their second consecutive National Championship, Davenport added four players from the Chicago area to join the Panthers for the upcoming 2012/13 season.

They represent two different high school programs:  Brother Rice and Mount Carmel. Both schools were involved in the Illinois State Championship playoffs won by Brother Rice.

Mike Houston and Carl Smith, both from Brother Rice, come from two totally different rugby backgrounds.

Houston is a former High School All-American in both 15s and 7s and has been involved with rugby for the last four years. He also played for the Illinois Tornados, an All-Star. Houston was an outstanding football player, representing Brother Rice's varsity team for the last two years as a regular starter.

Smith also played football. Houston convinced him to try rugby in his senior year.

“Carl made such and impact at a local tournament, we had to get him to come to DU,” said Davenport coach Kruger Van Biljon. “Carl is a pure natural athlete, and he and Houston will fit right into the fast, expansive DU rugby style of play.”

Billy Dattulo and Kevin Huey formed a formidable combination in the Mt. Carmel front row. Huey played football until his junior year, and Dattulo was his gridiron teammate, playing nose guard and defensive tackle. They both decided to focus on rugby in their senior year and make a run at the State Championship.

"We are excited to add these four to our program here at Davenport, and we're sure they will play a big part in the future of DU Rugby," said Van Biljon.

"Their high school coaches, Jack Cushing and Mike Holland from Mount Carmel, with David Fee from Brother Rice, did a tremendous job developing these four players. It's vital for us at DU to build this relationship with elite programs like Brother Rice and Mount Carmel to ensure we help develop athletes to become all-around rugby players."