Gabe Calebotta
Gabe began his playing career at UCSB as a second row and back row forward. He earned a position in the starting 15 his sophomore year on the team that eventually made its way to the national sweet 16. By his senior year he was captaining the side and acted as player coach for the team. He earned selection for the Southern California Collegiate All Conference side, the Griffins, and participated in the national collegiate all star tournament.
Following graduation, he continued to play rugby in a limited capacity for various men’s clubs around southern california. A year after graduating, he returned to UCSB in an official coaching capacity, taking over the forwards, and helped orchestrate a turn around of the team from a 0-8 record the previous season to a 7-1 record, league co-title, and trip to the national sweet 16. Following the Gaucho’s performance that season, Gabe was selected as forwards coach for the Socal Griffins, who went undefeated at the national all star tournament, which earned them a promotion to the First Tier of the tournament for the following year.
Following that season, Gabe moved back the Bay Area to attend graduate school and began playing men’s club rugby for the San Jose Seahawks, though his play was limited by a series of injuries. After formally hanging up his boots, he was approached by his old friend and SCUTS Head Coach, Chris Kron, about coaching rugby again. Gabe is now in his second year with the SCUTS and is looking forward to helping bring a national title to Santa Clara.