Carrick Pell

"My mission is simple: to develop better men, because better men become better rugby players, and ultimately better leaders, teammates, husbands, fathers, officers, and citizens."

Head Men’s Rugby Coach Carrick Pell brings more than a decade of head coaching experience, a distinguished playing background, and a leadership approach shaped by military service, athlete development, alumni engagement, and program building.

Pell seeks student-athletes who are prepared to embrace the physicality, discipline, and accountability associated with Norwich Rugby. His approach extends beyond competitive success, using rugby as a means of developing leaders who will positively influence their teams, professions, families, and communities.

He joined Norwich after a highly successful tenure at Babson College, where he transformed the men’s rugby program into one of the nation’s leading collegiate programs. Pell now leads a Norwich program with a longstanding national reputation, passionate alumni support, and a tradition of developing young men of character and integrity.

Building Championship Programs and Lasting Cultures

Pell served as Babson’s head men’s rugby coach beginning in 2012, guiding the program from Division 4 to Division I-AA competition.

Under his leadership, Babson captured National Collegiate Rugby national championships in both 7s and 15s in 2023. The Beavers later advanced to the 2024 Premier Division semifinals and finished as a nationally ranked Division I-AA top-10 program in 2025.

His impact extended beyond competition. Pell strengthened recruiting pipelines, rebuilt alumni engagement, expanded corporate partnerships, developed player-led accountability systems, and helped improve the program’s facilities and infrastructure.

Program Highlights

• Guided Babson to the 2023 NCR Small College National 7s Championship.
• Guided Babson to the 2023 NCR Small College 15s National Championship.
• Elevated the program from Division 4 to Division I-AA.
• Led Babson to multiple New England Rugby Football Union Final Four appearances.
• Reached the 2024 Premier Division semifinals.
• Finished as a Division I-AA top-10 team nationally in 2025.
• Helped develop three NCR All-Americans.
• Helped develop more than 100 NCR Scholastic All-Americans.
• Led a program recognized as Babson Club Sport of the Year in 2015, 2022, and 2024.

Leadership Through Service

Pell’s leadership philosophy has been shaped by his service in two branches of the United States military.

He served as a reconnaissance Marine in the United States Marine Corps from 1989 to 1993, including service during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He later served in the United States Air Force from 1999 to 2003 as a meteorologist supporting mission planning and operational weather analysis.

That standards-driven background influences the discipline, accountability, and commitment Pell expects within his program.

“My commitment to the Norwich family is this: I did not come to Norwich simply to win matches,” Pell said. “I came to develop young men, teach great rugby, and build a program worthy of the Norwich standard. If we do those things every day, with discipline, accountability, and gratitude, the championships will take care of themselves.”

Why Norwich

Pell had followed Norwich Rugby for nearly two decades before becoming its head coach. He first became familiar with the University through Norwich alumni, the program’s national rugby reputation, and the community surrounding the Cadets.

“Because of the efforts of The Scrum Alum, the support of Norwich University, and the legacy Coach Bob Weggler has built over 25 years, Norwich Rugby has become one of the premier coaching opportunities in collegiate rugby,” Pell said. “To be entrusted with leading this program is truly the opportunity of a lifetime. The fact that it is Norwich makes it almost surreal.”

Pell seeks student-athletes who are prepared to compete with physicality, passion, and discipline while contributing to a program and University community larger than themselves.