Men's Rugby | 11/22/2014 5:08:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Nov. 22) -- Central Washington University senior men's rugby forward Aladdin Schirmer has been selected to the USA Rugby National Sevens team that will compete in the HSBC Sevens World Series starting Dec. 5 in Dubai.
 
"Honestly, I had tears in my eyes when I heard I got selected.  Ever since I started playing rugby, it has been my dream to represent my country on the field," Schirmer said. "This time last year I told myself I was done playing when we lost in the Sevens back in North Carolina.  Coach Pacheco helped me realize that this game is not just about me and he was able to help me realize that I have one last chance at this and I was dedicated to making the most of it."
 
Schirmer is one of 12 players to be selected to the team that will go from Dubai on Dec. 5-6 followed by a stop in South Africa on Dec. 13-14.
 
"This is the highest level a player can reach in Sevens outside of the Olympics," CWU head coach Tony Pacheco said. "Aladdin earned this opportunity with his performance on the field and his dedication to preparation."
 
Joining Schirmer is CWU rugby alum Patrick Blair who played at Central from 2010-13.  Blair was a two-time all-American and has participated with the National Team for the last year.
 
"I take tremendous pride in the fact that we have two players on the USA Rugby National Team," Pacheco said.  "These are two special athletes that have made of their most of their opportunities to be successful."
 
The HSBC Sevens World Series consists of nine tournaments held around the world, in which national Sevens teams compete for World Series points at each round, with the winner in the Cup, Player, Bowl and Shield crowned at each location.
 
This year the HSBC Sevens World Series will double as the Olympic qualifier with the top four-ranked sides earning a place in the Rio Games in 2016.