Men's Rugby | 4/27/2017 3:00:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Apr. 27) – Central Washington University Athletics and the CWU Foundation joined with the Kohl family to announce the Siegfried "Sig" Kohl Endowed Scholarship for Central Washington men's rugby.
 
The Siegfried "Sig" Kohl Endowed Scholarship provides scholarships to students enrolled in Central Washington University who are members of the CWU Wildcat Men's Rugby team. Endowments with the CWU Foundation are invested donations of $25,000 or more that support areas at the university. These are funds that may be named and provide financial support in perpetuity.
 
"It's what he wanted," Harald Kohl, Sig's brother, said.  "Once he became involved with rugby he was hooked.  It became his favorite sport.  He played for club teams after graduation and often volunteered as a coach and/or medical support for youth teams.  He caught the bug and was always involved with the community.  He wanted to see rugby become more popular and he wanted to support the growth of the sport any way he could."
 
Sig was born March 28, 1970 and raised in Bellevue, WA. He graduated from Central Washington University in 1993 with a BS in Paramedicine. At CWU he was an active member of the swim team.
 
After college, he settled into his career as a Paramedic on Whidbey Island. He worked at Whidbey General Hospital for nearly 20 years. Being a dedicated athlete for his whole life, he was always open to try a new sport. It was during this time after college that he developed a passion for rugby. His rugby activities expanded his travels and many lasting friendships ensued. Travels to Fiji heightened his commitment to rugby and he became a vigorous advocate for all Pacific Islanders, the environment, and the sport of rugby.
 
Early in 2014 he was stricken with cancer (rhabdomyosarcoma) and began treatment with SCCA. After a courageous fight, he succumbed to this dreadful disease on 4/11/2016. He is greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. 
 
"The Kohl family's generosity will allow us to continue to attract high-caliber student-athletes and grow the game of rugby for years to come in an homage to Sig and his passion for the game," CWU Head Men's Rugby Coach Todd Thornley said.  "We are elated to receive this endowment and will ensure the recipients honor the passion and excitement Sig showed for rugby."
 
 The surviving members of his family are honored to extend his legacy of vigorous advocacy for rugby, Sig's dream to see a growing intercollegiate rugby community and most importantly to have his University be part of that!
 
"He was excited to see rugby grow in popularity," Harald added.  "Of his many final wishes, helping the sport take off in the United States was certainly a big one.  He cherished the community and sport he became a part of."
 
The Kohl family encourages people to help grow the endowment with a tax-deductible gift.  To give, CLICK HERE.  For more information, contact Jason Roundy, Associate Director of Athletics for Development, at (509) 963-2281 or jason.roundy@cwu.edu.