Wheeling University Athletics

Eric Jerpe begins his second season as director/head coach of WJU’s USA Rugby Division I-A Varsity team. Jerpe guided the inaugural rugby squad to a 10-4-1 overall record, and in 2013, the Cardinals will compete in the Rugby East Region.

A resident of Pittsburgh, Jerpe comes to Wheeling Jesuit with experience as a player, coach and administrator. He has played the game locally as a member of the Division I Pittsburgh Harlequins team for 23 years and the Excelsior Blues of Oamaru, New Zealand. He also has competed internationally – in New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, England, Ireland and Wales. Eric has held head coaching positions at the University of Pittsburgh Carnegie Mellon University, Slippery Rock University, California University of Pennsylvania and served as head coach for the Collegiate Select Side of the Allegany Rugby Union.

Along with his many leadership positions with Pittsburgh’s Harlequins Rugby Football Club, he has been a member of the USA Rugby Board of Directors, Manager of the USA U-17 National Team, Match Commissioner for USA Rugby National Championships and past President of the Allegheny Rugby Union.

Jerpe is a graduate of Bethany College where he earned a bachelor of arts in communications. He then went on to earn a master’s degree specializing as a teacher of the blind and visually impaired from the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to his rugby career, Jerpe is a specialist in providing early intervention services to children between the ages of birth and three.