Club Sports

05/29/08 Got Rugby?

...a loosely bound group of very social guys (with a rugby problem) bring "club" team to Division 3 contenders in four short years! The MMA rugby team was initially established as a club sport with no coach. In 2004, a Pennsylvania to Plymouth, Ma. transplant, Andy Baron, came to the rescue as coach. With his seventeen plus years of game know how, he quickly whipped this group of rugby nuts into shape as Division IV competitors. By 2006, their numbers strong and team structure cemented, they beat UMASS Dartmouth. This was their ticket to the Division III, New England Rugby Football Club. Co-Captain 2/C Benjamin Fallon credits the Academy's new turf fields with helping attract attention to MMA rugby and assisting in a home field 10-3 record this past fall and spring.

Although fall is the official rugby season, the team is a year round commitment. "We have played on Sea Term for the past two years. In 2007, we played the Barbados Select Side Team; in Miami, Florida Atlantic University and in 2008 we played Costa Rica," commented Fallon. In the spring, although most matches are still competitive, they are shorter. Three teams come together each weekend. Each team plays twice. MMA has made the 2008 playoffs for both fall and spring rugby.

"It's a great way to let off steam while having a lot of fun. Rugby is considered a gentleman's sport. After smashing heads with your opponents during the game, you usually get together and socialize" Fallon continued. The team credits Coach Baron for a major part of their success. As an unpaid volunteer, he shares his extensive knowledge of the game with his players. Chartwells, the Academy's food service, sponsors the jerseys and new ones are on the way courtesy of the National Guard. Although the team now numbers 35, they invite all interested parties to "come on down" ... to just watch ... or try out!