Our Story
Black Sheep Rugby Club was founded by two families brought together—quite literally—by the sport we love. Sol and Kacie Mascarenas first met through the Flamingos Men’s Rugby Club in Fort Collins, and Sol’s sister, Adel, met her husband, Sam Nieto, the very same way while playing alongside her brother. After many years of coaching with Hammers Rugby Club and recruiting young athletes in the Fort Collins community, both families came together in the spring of 2024 to establish Black Sheep Rugby Club.
Our name nods proudly to the CSU Rams, and our vibrant pink honors our roots with the Flamingos. In just our first two TRY seasons, we’ve grown to more than 40 players ranging from ages 6–14—and we’re only getting started!
At Black Sheep, we coach with a safety-first philosophy, emphasizing proper heads-up tackling and progressive skill development to help each athlete grow with confidence and a lifelong love for rugby. Beyond the TRY level, Coach Sam and Coach Sol have also had the privilege of coaching with the USA West Rugby Academy in elite international youth tournaments across the globe.
Rugby truly runs in our families. Together we have six ruggers—four currently with Black Sheep and two playing high-school 15s with Hammers Rugby Club. Every one of our athletes has competed on the international circuit. With over two decades immersed in rugby culture, Kacie and Adel proudly bring a wealth of knowledge, passion, and community spirit to our club.
At Black Sheep Rugby Club, our mission is simple: to build family, community, and lifelong connections through the greatest sport in the world. We’re excited to welcome you to our flock!
elite Coaching & Academy Experience
Black Sheep Rugby Club is proud to be led by coaches with experience developing athletes at the highest levels of youth rugby. In addition to leading Black Sheep Rugby Club, Coach Sam Nieto and Coach Sol Mascarenas both serve as coaches with the USA West Rugby Academy, one of the nation's premier high-performance youth rugby programs.
Together, they have coached academy teams at some of the most prestigious youth rugby tournaments in the world, including the North American Invitational 7s (NAI 7s) in Salt Lake City, Tropical 7s in Tampa, Florida, the Sainte Dévote Rugby Tournament in Monaco, and the Old North State Invitational (ONSI) in North Carolina. These tournaments attract elite clubs, academies, and representative sides from across the United States and around the world.
Their teams have consistently earned championship appearances and podium finishes while competing against many of the strongest youth rugby programs internationally. The knowledge, standards, and player development philosophies they've gained through these experiences are brought home to Black Sheep Rugby Club, providing Northern Colorado athletes with world-class coaching and a proven pathway for growth.
