BERKELEY – California rugby senior co-captain Max Schumacher has been named a finalist for the 2023 Rudy Scholz Award. The honor annually recognizes the best men's collegiate rugby player nationwide.
 
Schumacher is one of five finalists to emerge from a list of 15 nominees representing the nation's top collegiate rugby programs. The winner will be chosen by a selection committee and the player awarded will be celebrated at the Washington Athletic Club's annual gala event on June 10 in Seattle.
 
Schumacher is the seventh Golden Bear to be nominated for the award since its inception in 2016, and he is the second to be tabbed as a finalist for the honor after 2022 senior co-captain Sam Golla made it to the final round last year. The other previous Cal nominees were Sam Cusano (2020), Nic Mirhashem ('19), Kevin Sullivan ('18), Russell Webb ('17) and Anthony Salaber ('17).
 
Schumacher has been a standout over his four years donning the Blue & Gold. A versatile player, he has featured in multiple positions in the Bears' backline primarily as the fullback and flyhalf. Schumacher's left boot has also been a weapon for the Bears, adding the extras on hundreds of conversion kicks. Schumacher is the leading points-scorer for Cal this season with 115, amassed by way of four tries, 46 conversion kicks and two penalty kicks. A Jesuit High School alum from Sacramento, Schumacher now studies business administration at the esteemed Haas School of Business, and is expecting to earn his bachelor's degree next month.
 
"Max has been so good for us," Cal head coach Jack Clark said. "We wouldn't trade him for anyone."
 
Schumacher and the Bears will be in action Saturday as they host Brigham Young in the national semifinals of the 2023 National Collegiate Championships. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT at Witter Rugby field, with the gates in Strawberry Canyon set to open at noon. Fans can purchase their tickets here, or watch the match live on The Rugby Network.
 
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