USA Rugby is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors and four National Councils across Youth & High School, college, Senior Club and International Athlete, and its CEO is Bill Goren.
The U.S. men's national team, the Eagles, won the gold medal in Olympic rugby in 1920 and 1924.
This was an impetus for others around the country to do the same, changing the make-up of USA Rugby, which now has seven territories (Pacific, Southern California, West, Midwest, South, Northeastern, and Mid-Atlantic).
USA Rugby lobbied for several years for participation in the IRB Sevens World Series.
Since 2010, the tournament has been held every year at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Valley and has been broadcast live on NBC.
The board is composed of 11 members: 4 independent directors, 4 international athletes, and 3 representatives from USA Rugby's National Councils across Youth, college, and Adult Club.
Board members as of 2020 were:[8] Scott Lawrence began his tenure as head coach of the men's national team in January of 2024.
Their principal expenses are: (1) High Performance, (2) Men's National Team, and (3) Marketing and Fundraising.
[1] In 2010, USA Rugby paid over $200,000 each to its CEO Nigel Melville and its then head coach Eddie O'Sullivan.
[13] In early 2020, with the outbreak of coronavirus, USA Rugby filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to develop a financial restructuring plan.
[45] On March 31, 2020, the board of USA Rugby voted to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a result of "insurmountable financial constraints" in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic crisis.
[54] Following the demise of the Super League, the Pacific Rugby Premiership was formed in 2013, and began play in 2014 as the top level of men's club competition in the U.S.
The USA Rugby club structure sees the United States divided into two leagues: West and East.
[55] East: Atlantic North, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southern West: Pacific North, Pacific South, Frontier, Red River USA Rugby hosts 5 total championship competitions annually.
They are also responsible for day-to-day governance, including organizing league structures, collecting dues, implementing a state championship, and conducting rugby outreach.
USA Rugby requires coaches and referees to register and complete a number of certification courses depending on the level of play.
Effective April 2004, the President title was replaced with chairman, and an USARRA Representative was added.
Effective July 14, 2006, the governance was changed to a model with a board of directors nominated and approved by a congress.