Alumni Ren Heimer Invited to USA Rugby Selection Camp
Former Hawkeye fullback Ren Heimer (‘26) has been invited to train at the highly prestigious USA Eagles Under 23 Selection Camp beginning last Monday, July 13th in Chula-Vista, California. Heimer has spent the summer playing with Invictus M7’s, a qualifier 7’s squad based in the Chicagoland area, and has contributed to their second-place ranking within the league, having significant wins over other premier teams like the Chicago Lions and Indianapolis Impalas. Ren’s success in both semi-professional men’s rugby and during his time at the University of Iowa then caught the eye of the recruitment staff at USA Rugby, who then extended this elusive invitation.
Ultimately, if he continues forwards through the training process, it gives him the opportunity to become eligible to represent USA Rugby at the highest caliber, aiming for a spot in the Denver Town Rugby 7’s tournament or a chance to represent the country and appear on the national team. The men's Eagles, who are the official United States national team, are currently ranked 14th in the world by the World Rugby Rankings as of July 2026.
Ren Heimer first got introduced to rugby through his dad, Pete Heimer, while growing up in Osaka, Japan. Pete, a current high school English teacher, got his start in the sport after graduating and playing division 3 football. Bored in his twenties and looking for something to do, he played for the Quad City Irish in Davenport, Iowa. Pete had encouraged both of his sons to try the sport in addition to touch-tag football, but eventually both quit after aging out of youth-leagues.
However after moving back to the states, a near decade later, Ren ended up rediscovering his love for the sport seemingly on a whim. While studying to earn his degree in physical education originally at Kirkwood Community College with aspirations to become an athletic director, he found himself with too much free time. With encouragement from his family to try something new and his Dad vouching for the life-long relationships formed through the rugby community, Ren Heimer showed up to a random offseason summer practice with the Hawkeyes out of the blue.
Unannounced and unknown.
That title didn’t last very long. Upon starting with Iowa Rugby in the fall 2024 season, Ren has gone on to be one of the most decorated players in University of Iowa rugby history. While named as a captain, he has led the team in points scored, been honored as a three-time All-American, and been selected for countless select side teams, MVP awards, and tournament all-star showcases. Iowa Rugby head coach Tyler Dailey, who over the last few years has watched, developed, and advocated for Ren (both as a player and as a person), has nothing but kind things to say regarding his work ethic and character. While many commend Ren Heimer’s athletic prowess, in agility, deftness, and tenacious spirit, while yes - have surely contributed to his selection, Dailey thinks the quality that makes Ren most stand apart from his peers is his natural instinct and unending reliability. Despite his decade long break from the sport, Ren Heimer has what years of practice can’t teach, effortless intuition and an interminable hunger to win.
The Iowa Rugby Foundation congratulates Ren Heimer on this amazing accomplishment. As friends, teammates, coaches, and competitors, we have seen the tenacity in how you rise to respond to any challenge that comes your way and we could not be more proud. We look forward to seeing your continued success in everything you do and cannot wait to cheer you on from the sidelines.
