Recent Draftee Calvin Gentry Rejoins Dallas

The Dallas Jackals are excited to welcome back Calvin Gentry for the Inaugural Season! Gentry was recently drafted by the Jackals in Round 3 of the 2021 MLR Collegiate Draft. 

Gentry was born and raised in Memphis, TN where he attended Power Center Academy (PCA) High School. Growing up in a tough part of town, Gentry credits rugby for saving his life and putting him on a different path than many of his friends. 

As part of Memphis Inner City Rugby (MICR), Gentry played 8-man and was named captain and two-time MVP at PCA Rugby Club. He proved himself on the pitch and was selected to compete with the Tennessee All-Star Tri-Stars 15s team in 2013-2016, including in Las Vegas in 2015. 

While with the Tri-Stars, his coach encouraged him to try out for the USA Rugby South U19 side. Gentry went on to represent the US in 2014-2016 and was named MVP of the squad. In 2016, he was named to the Junior All-American team competing for the USA U19 select side. Next, Gentry returned to Las Vegas when he was selected for the 7s Atavus side, a club based in Seattle, WA. 

Before heading off to college at Arkansas State University, Gentry had another opportunity to be an ambassador for MICR. Calvin starred, alongside MICR founder Shane Young, in The Rugby Boys of Memphis, an award winning film in the Tribeca Film Festival. The film touches on the immense impact rugby had on Calvin’s life and can be found on Amazon Prime. 

At Arkansas State Gentry proved himself playing 8-man, center, and wing and was named to the Collegiate All-American team. Before earning his Associates in 2019, Gentry played with Tiger Rugby 7s in Dallas in 2018. He then transferred to University of Memphis to continue his career and education and was once again named to the Collegiate All-American team in 2019. 

Gentry currently competes with the Memphis Tigers Rugby Club, a collegiate club, in which he was named MVP two years ago. In 2019, Calvin travelled to London on an invite from the Harlequins Rugby Foundation to train for a day with the squad and speak at a charity event.

In October 2021, Gentry took part in the Inaugural Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s), first ever professional 7s tournament in the US, with the Headliners.

Gentry said, “There are many reasons to be excited for this recurring opportunity, but the biggest would be the excitement that comes from being apart of MLR’s newest team. I’ve always liked the idea of starting something great as opposed to being a part of something great.”

When asked about the opportunity, Gentry exclaimed, “It means the world to me! I used to dream of playing professional rugby before professional rugby was even a thing, so to have this opportunity is surreal and I’m looking forward to it.”

Recently announcing he and partner are expecting a little girl at the end of the year, Calvin said, “I’m looking forward to helping raise my little one in a vibrant city like Dallas, becoming a better rugby player, and finishing up grad school at UT Arlington.”

Elaine Vassie, Jackals GM, said, “Calvin’s story on and off field makes him a genuinely impressive man. His love of the game is displayed in his work ethic, physicality and mentality on field, and by bringing an uplifting energy and will be a fantastic addition to our Jackals family.”

Welcome back to the Pack Calvin!

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About Dallas Jackals —

The Dallas Jackals are a professional rugby team of Major League Rugby (MLR), the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The Jackals were named as an expansion team in 2020 and will play their inaugural season in 2022. The team’s central mission is to develop domestic talent to a world-class level of play and professionalism while strengthening the high- performance pathway in DFW by supporting the local clubs. Through proactive Community Outreach, the Jackals will exemplify and spread the passion of rugby by inspiring tradition, respect, family, and character on and off the pitch.

About MLR —

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league entering its fifth season and represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The League evolved from seven teams in 2018, to 13 teams in 2022, featuring 12 from the United States and one from Canada. Matches are televised on CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 2, and ESPN+, among other national and local market platforms. All matches are available on Facebook Live for international fans. MLR prides itself in fostering intense and high-stakes competition, while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. For more information about MLR, visit MajorLeague.Rugby.