2008 Woodie Awards
Rugby team defeats Rice, wins 74-5
UST's oldest sports club beats Owls for first win in 2 years
Shannon McKirchy
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Sports & Clubs
- Page 1 of 1
|
The UST Rugby Club is the oldest sports club on campus, but this year about half of the team's 25 players are not UST students. "When we were just a school sport, we couldn't cut the mustard because we didn't have enough players," junior finance major and head coach Henry Janse Van Rensburg said. He decided to make UST rugby a social team so people from all over the city, who do not attend UST can now play.
"This year, we have enough players so we can play one player in a specialized position and have him be the best at that position," Janse Van Rensburg said. Senior political science major and team captain Raphael Casas added that he believed the change has really helped the team. "Now that we are a social side, it has made us much more competitive," Casas said.
The team plays other universities and clubs from all over the state, such as Rice University and Texas State University. "It's going to be a tough season, but we are just going to buckle down and play fundamental rugby," Casas said.
This year, the team has a new assistant coach, Jamie Moncour from Scotland. "Both coaches are doing a great job," Casas said. "We are really lucky to have that kind of caliber in the coaching position."
Coach Joe Griesel, who helps the team occasionally, played for the Sharks, a professional South African rugby franchise. "If you have enough players and a professional like that, there is no reason for St. Thomas not to be the top rugby team in Texas," Janse Van Rensburg said. "We have the coaches; we have the players. It's just having people from the school commit."
The rugby team plays home games at the Rice fields. "It's hard for this school to have good sports because of the lack of facilities," Janse Van Rensburg said. It costs $250 every time the team plays at Rice. UST gives the team some funds, but the remainder must be paid by each player.
Janse Van Rensburg said he believes UST lacks school spirit. "We want people to come out to the games," Casas said. "If we had a stadium, it would give St. Thomas a venue to display school spirit."
Janse Van Rensburg said rugby is a team sport, and there are no star players. "Each player is nothing without the people around them," he said. "You have to trust the guy next to you for the success of the team."
The UST rugby team practices every Monday and Wednesday from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. at Hackett Athletic Compound and welcomes new players. For more information, e-mail rugby@stthom.edu.