Principia College
- Located in Elsah, IL
- Founded in 1912
- Mascot: Panther
- Faith-based - rooted in Christian Science
- Over 33 majors and minors offered
- 96% career placement rate
- Ranked #1 for Best Value of Liberal Arts Colleges List in US News and World Report 2023
- Average percent of students who apply for and receive financial aid: 95%
OUR CAMPUS
The campus is situated on top of limestone bluffs overlooking the "mighty" Mississippi River and is full of beautiful buildings inside and out. It is a rural campus surrounded by farms and natural landscapes, but only 45 minutes away from St. Louis, MO, making city life accessible.
ACADEMICS
Principia College offers a one of a kind Liberal Arts education that is both valuable and affordable. With an average class size of eleven and stellar academic support services, student-athletes can easily excel on and off the pitch!
Principia also boasts a phenomenal study-broad program that has taken students to over 26 different countries since 2012. A Principia abroad often tops the list of best experiences students have here, along with playing rugby, of course!
THE THUNDER CHICKENS
The Thunder Chickens began in the spring of 1979 and was brought into existence by notable alumni Steve Morgenthaler and Ward Patterson. By 1981, they were ranked 13th in the country under the guidance of Ward, who was a player/coach. Since then, the Thunder Chickens have won two Natoinal Champioinships – one in 15s (2022) and one in 7s (2013). The foundation for this pursuit of excellence is character education.
GET STARTED
Please connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. Fill out our Request for Info Form, and look into visiting campus.
ALL AMERICANS
Nine Thunder Chickens have earned All American honors eleven times:
- Jordan Anderson 15s 2013/2014
- Jordan Anderson 7s 2013/2014
- Naveed Hossein Mardi 7s 2013/2014
- Trevor Marunde 7s 2013/2014
- Jake Milner 7s 2013/2014
- Larry Patterson 15s 2015/2016
- Larry Patterson 7s 2015/2016 (D1)
- Nick Hathaway 7s 2016/2017
- Robert McAloney 7s 2017/2018
- TreVaughn Goodman 7s 2018/2019
- Zeya Kyaw 7s 2018/2019
- Celino Petersen 15s 2022
- Damilola Odunuga 15s 2022
- Fran Alessio 15s 2022
- Matoka Matoka 15s 2022
Do you want your name on that list?
COACHING STAFF
Philip Kellerman is a native of South Africa and has over 20 years of rugby coaching experience at various levels. After injuries cut his playing career short, he began coaching at age 18 while attending Stellenbosch University, a school that is world-renowned for its rugby tradition. Since then, Kellerman has coached at academies and universities in South Africa, as well as multiple club teams in the United States and professional clubs in Portugal and Chile.
Kellerman has consistently taken his teams to the playoffs and won various championships throughout his career. He values good character above all and sees strong relationships as the primary factor for long-term success.
"Principia's athletic facilities are my favorite places on campus. Our gym has everything you need to get faster, stronger, and more agile. Rob, our trainer, is really good and puts us through intense yet rewarding workouts. He makes sure our form is perfect and helps us get to that next level of athleticism. Everyone involved in Thunder Chicken Rugby is promoting a great environment and push you past what you think is possible." - Jack Beckett (Wauwatosa, Wisconsin)
SEVENS
The Principia rugby team has been a perennial powerhouse in 7s rugby. The Thunder Chickens won the first-ever Men's Division II National Championship for 7s in 2013 and has returned to the National Tournament every year since. The Thunder Chickens regular visits to the national championship tournaments has lead to All American Status for several former players, and recruitment by elite teams, and even top national teams, like the USA Eagles, for play at the international level.
COMMIT
Playing as a Principia Thunder Chicken means joining a brotherhood unlike any other. “I don’t coach rugby, I coach character education,” says program co-founder, Ward Patterson. Operating with integrity while demonstrating a respect for the game, opponents, and teammates are at the heart of how the Thunder Chickens act. If you are up for the challenge, reach out to us and start your journey towards becoming a Thunder Chicken.
Credits:
Dan Kistler (most rugby shots) Carly Hendrickson (campus shots)