B.S. in Biology student, Life U Women’s Rugby player

“Fresh faced and ready to play”

 

Spending most of her formative years in Fallbrook, California, Liberty Benitez’s early home life was something of a happy and hectic full house with three biological sisters and a brother, in addition to four additional foster siblings for about five years. This doesn’t even count the numerous dogs and other pets that also shared their home. Benitez enjoys the sheep and horses that currently live on the family property.

Seeking a scholastic environment that felt tight knit and welcoming, Benitez was drawn to Life University’s (Life U) “small school aspect,” as it is “more connected and like a family style of community.”

“At a larger school, you wouldn’t really meet as many people and get to know everyone on a deeper level,” Benitez said.

As a freshman student-athlete on the Life U Women’s Rugby team, Benitez also felt that sense of closeness and camaraderie as she began her first collegiate season. During training, the new players began practicing a few weeks before returning players, so it helped give newbies time to work more closely with Head Coach Ryszard Chadwick while also getting the chance to learn from upperclassmen players as they headed into the 2023-2024 15s season. There was a sizeable new group of freshman ladies like Benitez that helped revitalize the team’s strength and resiliency on the field. The new blood had to have played a key factor in some of the team’s success this year for sure.

It was a memorable and historic year for the Life U Women’s Rugby team, most notably their gritty victory over rival Lindenwood University to capture the D1 Elite National Championship on April 14, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. It was an electrifying upset that ended Lindenwood’s winning streak against Life U in the championship game.

It’s certainly not all athletic play and no academic work around here, however. Benitez is enrolled as a B.S. in Biology student, unsure yet about her post-graduation plans but excited about the future. She greatly appreciates the flexibility of online classes with Life U as with the rugby traveling schedule, greater flexibility and understanding is key. Her academic advisors have been immensely helpful in catering to and arranging her schedule to accommodate practices and other constraints familiar to student-athletes. Benitez mentioned her first quarter proved to be a struggle and adjustment but that by the second quarter she was able to finish the academic year strong. She looks forward to continuing success on the field and in the classroom.

 

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