Paul Keeler

Collegiate athletics executive and sports-governance leader with 20+ years of university program leadership, national collegiate competition administration, governing-body board service, organizational reform, fundraising, championship delivery, and broadcast partnership negotiation. President and Founder of the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA); current USA Rugby board member. Experienced in managing program budgets, leading coaches and volunteers, building institutional partnerships, and delivering national championships.

President & Founder - COLLEGE RUGBY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (CRAA)

Provide executive leadership for national men’s and women’s collegiate rugby governance, including 40 Division 1A men’s programs; oversee competition structures, eligibility policy, institutional relationships, and organizational strategy.

• Lead planning and delivery of CRAA national championships since inception, with responsibility for event budgets, venues, staffing, officials, logistics, and operational execution.
• Negotiated an annual media production and distribution agreement with Eleven Sports and For the Fans valued at $350,000 per year in services; partnership ended amid COVID-19 disruptions.
• Negotiated a CBS Sports championship production agreement spanning two consecutive years and covering both semifinals and finals.

Board of Directors - USA RUGBY

Serve on the national governing body’s board, contributing to strategic oversight, governance, organizational policy, and institutional accountability.

Bankruptcy Governance Reorganization Committee - USA RUGBY

Participated in USA Rugby’s governance reorganization during bankruptcy, including revision of bylaws, restructuring board representation, and development of a revised governance framework.

Head Coach / Director of Men’s Rugby - SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY

Direct a university rugby program with a $320,000 annual operating budget; supervise four coaches and support staff and oversee recruiting, athlete development, competition, travel, and program operations.

• Established the Santa Clara University Rugby Endowment and annual fundraising and donor-solicitation practices, generating $500,000 over ten years.
• Led the program from a last-place Division I-AA finish to a Division 1A Top 20 ranking by 2014 and its first D1A quarterfinal appearance.

West Coast Director of Operations / Head Coach, San Francisco - PRO RUGBY

(2015 - 2016)

Oversaw professional rugby operations involving California franchises, coaching and player personnel, medical support, staffing, and training environments.

• Shared oversight of the player salary cap within a professional rugby operation with a $1.5 million annual budget; supported player recruitment and contracting.

Founder / Operator - 8x8 SPORTS

Founded and operate a sports teamwear business, directing vendor relationships, international sourcing, product strategy, pricing, inventory, fulfillment, and customer service.

Athletics leadership - SAN FRANCISCO GOLDEN GATE RUGBY

Directed a $375,000 annual program budget and supervised 20 volunteer coaches.

Founder; representative rugby and player-development leadership - CALIFORNIA GRIZZLIES

Sergeant - United States Marine Corps

(1989 - 1997)

Military service

B.A. - History - Canisius College (1994)