It could be surprising to many to find out Puget Sound’s largest sports club on campus is the men’s Rugby Club. This club has been around campus since the 60s, but last season it had its true start. Last season the club went to the playoffs for the first time in Puget Sound history.
A few years earlier, the Rugby Club was struggling from the lack of player commitment; only about eight players would show up to practices and the club would have to borrow other players in order to field a team for their matches. This year, the Rugby Club now has 40 to 50 men show up to each practice.
When asked about last season junior rugby player Francis Dupar (Belluve,Wash.) stated, “We did well and took a disorganized team turned it into an organized team, won some games, and finally went to the playoffs.” They lost in the playoffs, but it was a victory itself that they made it there. “When we put more into the club, we were able to get more out of it and that showed through our season,” Captain Gavin Beaudry (Baghdad, Ariz.) said.
The Puget Sound rugby team is currently ranked 20th in the country for small college rugby, so they are expected to do great things this season.
Sophomore and Rugby Club president James Oppenheimer (Seattle, Wash.) said, “We have a lot of new members, a lot of experience, and a lot of players; so this year is extremely promising.” Beaudry and Dupar added, “We have our sights on the national title and are expecting to at least win the Pacific Northwest title. We have the potential to win the national title, and more than anything we are seeking national recognition for Puget Sound rugby.”
Junior rugby player Cole Mcilvaine (Bellingham,Wash.) described rugby as having an “atmosphere that gives the fans a level of being involved.” It is a game that many people have not seen and that is what makes it so exciting. The men’s rugby club’s potential this year is immense, especially since they will be returning eleven of their fifteen starters.
This is definitely a club that people should watch for and support this year, since they will definitely be doing great things and deserve notoriety. Their first official match is October 1st against Northwest University.