As a unit, the USA Women’s Sevens Rugby Team have taken a sometimes-misunderstood sport to a larger U.S. audience. After winning the bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, that global stage saw a surge in popularity for the athleticism shown on the pitch. For Sammy Sullivan, who plays for Team USA and serves in the U.S. Army, her pride in representing her country is tremendous.
While many sports figures seemingly bask in the glory and enjoy a lavish lifestyle, some sports fall just out of the bright spotlight. The excitement of the Olympic year and Team USA pride put these athletes and their sports on display. After the notes of the anthem fade and the Olympic rings disappear from view, these athletes go back to the training grind that is part of their daily routine.
For Sammy Sullivan, her world is divided into two ways that she represents the United States of America. While the USA Women’s Sevens Rugby Team is her family on and off the pitch, the Corps, the U.S. Army is her other team that is her foundation of her commitment to duty, honor, and country. That duality makes her a poignant voice for representing her country on and off the pitch.
Quest Nutrition, a sponsor of USA Rugby, invited me to spend a day at Chula Visita Training Center in California. During the event, members of the USA Women’s Sevens Rugby Team ran participants through some simple drills. In addition, Sammy Sullivan graciously spoke with me.
As a wife of a veteran and the mother of a West Point cadet, Sullivan is more than a strong representative of women’s sports and a role model to the next generation of women athletes. Of course, she is strong, a supportive teammate, and an example to others who work hard to achieve a goal. In a world where women’s roles are continually evolving, she serves as an example that being willing to serve is a choice that has an impact across all aspects of life.
The West Point graduate and current Captain in the U.S. Army is a member of World Class Athlete Program, Sullivan continues her service while also training as a member of Team USA. That duality affords her the unique opportunity to represent her country in a way that few people will ever have.
During the conversation during the Quest Nutrition event, Sullivan answered what it meant to both represent her country as a member of Team USA and also as a member of the U.S. Army. She said, “it is hard for me to describe what it means for me to make a final, to hear our national anthem played, and salute the flag. There is tremendous emotion and pride.”
“I knew from a very young age that I wanted to serve. My dad was active duty, and I come from a long line of service members. I am grateful for the life that all service members provide for us. I would like to show the next generation of strong, feminine women that you can serve in the military and do it with pride and respect.”
“I am a very emotional person by nature. Whether it is being nervous on the rugby field or being vulnerable to my squad, I build a level of connection. Being willing to ask for help from NCO or support from a team helped me understand that being vulnerable is a strength. I feel that my willingness to be vulnerable and embrace the strength in that emotion has helped me succeed.”
While emotions can fuel her fire, Sullivan relies on her leadership skills to bring the team together as a cohesive unit. Those skills were honed at West Point and have grown on the pitch.
She shared, “I’ve been a team sport person my whole life. It might be a captain of a team or a platoon leader, but there is silent leadership going all around on a team. That silent leadership has not only helped me gain confidence to deal with adversity more quickly, but also it helped me gain emotional regulation.”
“On a team as diverse as USA Rugby, which is the most diverse team in the World Sevens, collaboration is key. Being able to work with people who come from different backgrounds is something that I’ve gained in this setting and in the Army, too.”
While rugby might be a huge sport in other countries, it is just starting to surge in popularity within the U.S. Sullivan believes, “I really feel like this past Olympics was our 1999 Women’s Soccer World Cup moment for rugby. Winning that medal against a powerhouse team like Australia” capitulated the team to greater notoriety.
Specifically, Sullivan believes, “there is something about the American spirit of winning and determination that earned the team the win. I think that Americans are always inspired by that drive and grit.”
In order to perform on the pitch, Sullivan appreciates that she needs to fuel her performance. Sponsorships, like Quest Nutrition, help during training, the game, and beyond. While those quick meals might not necessarily be the same as the Mess Hall options from West Point, the balanced nutritional choices are important. Protein focused options are part of the routine.
Sullivan wants people to remember that food is “fueling your body. I need that fuel to get through all the work that I do.” At the same time, she does not deprive herself of eating certain foods.
She said, “Olympians, especially in a team sport like rugby, are way more like regular people than everyone thinks. I have pizza every Friday. I like Chipotle, McDonald’s, and eat out, too.” The biggest takeaway from that statement is that food is never the enemy. It is meant to be enjoyed in all its many forms.
Sammi Sullivan stands as a shining example for women’s sports and Team USA. Her hard work, patriotic pride, determination, and authenticity proves that role models can be found on the pitch, in the field, and on the world’s biggest stage. She has lived up to her duty and honored her country in tremendous ways.