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SPORTS

The Norwich Guidon
Jan. 29, 2004

Men's rugby seeks first Sweet Sixteen berth this year

By Adrian Ackles
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

For the most part, rugby has been considered a club sport across the nation. This is due to the fact that the sport has come from men's leagues rather than from high schools, according to Dave Whaley, the vice president of institutional advancement.

Whaley has been involved with the rugby team since 1981, and played, himself, when rugby first arrived at Norwich.

"Right now, I am primarily a very interested spectator," said Whaley. "It started in 1970 as a club sport and stayed that way with just student and faculty involvement."

The NCAA has not yet recognized rugby as a varsity sport.

"The men's clubs foster the college programs, but have not yet been able to come down to the high school levels," said Whaley.

Then, too, some traditions associated with the sport have resulted in it not being taken seriously.

"Alcohol was certainly a big part of the rugby tradition early on," said Whaley. "When society changed and the drinking age was raised to 21, college rugby was slow to adapt."

The Norwich men's rugby team fell into that trap, but after nearly losing the program four years ago, the team has proven that they are dedicated to becoming great.

"We were mentally as well as physically prepared," said 20-year-old nursing major Jayson Garret.

The team is now on its way to its first appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. The changes that were made for the team to become successful was the addition of a full-time coach in 2001 (Coach Weggler) and a change in devotion to the sport.

"While being considered a club sport, we had to do all of our own fundraising," Garret said.

The team sold items at their own games and at some football games. Such items included shirts, hats, and visors. They also receive donations from the "Good Ol' Boys", a group of rugby supporters in many ways equivalent to the Blue Line Club, which supports men's ice hockey at Norwich.

Chan Stowell, director of student activities, intramural, and recreational sports, describes a club sport as a sport that has a good amount of interest on campus but doesn't qualify for the funding a varsity sport would.

"It is, however, a club sport funded by student activities," Stowell said.

Despite the success of the team, Stowell said rugby will be considered a club sport here at Norwich until the NCAA recognizes it as a varsity sport.

"They are extremely successful right now, and I think that we have some great kids on the team," Stowell said.

The team has had an 8-4 record and is placed fourth in the Sweet Sixteen overall, according to Garret. "We prepared the same way we always prepared, beginning in August," said Garret.

The team's success is also due to the experience within the team. Mike Davila, 28, from Corona, Calif., an accounting major, has played rugby for seven years, five in the military. Davila is the starting hooker for the team and brings his experience from playing in the military to the team.

"I do what needs to be done, and younger players see that. Lead by example," Davila said.

Along with the leadership of the experienced players, the help from the Good Ol' Boys, and their overall dedication to prove that rugby here at Norwich can and will be successful, the team has acquired full-time head Coach Robert Weggler, who played during the 1970s.

"I think the success of the program now is [due] to the ... full-time coach," Whaley said.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.