Story courtesy of Caytlinn Strickland, Endicott Observer
After proposals and petitions, Endicott College athletics now has its very own club rugby team. Founded by three Endicott students, Jake Lipp, Tom Murray, and Charles Nastasi, and coached by Justin McIntyre and Jason Scott, the team has seen a flourishing start to the new athletic addition.
Murray said the first practice saw about 35 men and 25 women interested in the sport, and from early on it looked as though they would have the necessary numbers to have a strong, competitive team for the league next year.
Rugby, essentially a sport combined with aspects of soccer, football, and wrestling, is a full contact sport played without any protective padding. However, rugby is safer than most other full contact sports because the rules of the game are designed to minimize the chance of danger.
For example, tacklers may not leave their feet and must physically wrap their arms around their opponent.
“Dangerous play is unacceptable. The attitude of intentionally injuring your opponent has no place in rugby. Although the importance of physical attributes in rugby is important, it is the mental aspects and knowledge of the laws and application of techniques that contributes more to a successful rugby player,” said Coach McIntyre.
Endicott’s rugby club offers both a men and a women’s team, resulting in over 50 cumulative people at practices.
Caitlin Norman, hospitality major, said “It’s great to have a women’s team. Most of us have had no experience with full contact sports like some of the guys who have played football, so it’s a learning process. Most importantly, rugby is wicked fun and there is nothing like tackling. That is definitely my favorite part.”
Another member of the women’s team, Lauren Maggioli, junior, shares the same experience.
“I think we’re catching on really fast and learning a lot. We just learned tackling this past week…We’re all really serious about this team but we’re having fun doing it at the same time,” she said. “We all love Coach Scott and Coach McIntyre, they really know their stuff. At the first practice they told us that rugby teams are a family, and I think we are slowly starting to get there.”
Men’s team member, Nick Landry, said “Practicing rugby out on the field has become the highlight of my week and I am looking forward to playing matches against other schools.”
There are no games scheduled just yet, according to Coach McIntyre, but the progress of the practices is moving along more than they expected. The organization is planning a scrimmage for the end of the year, and is encouraging the Endicott community to cheer them on.
Jake Lipp, one of the founders of the club, said that they are very grateful for the opportunity to have this club and would like to thank Dr. Wylie and everyone in the athletic department for letting it happen.
Charles Nastasi, along with the rest of the team and coaches, also encourage anyone interested in the club to come to practices, held Mondays at the North Field, 8:00pm-10:00pm and Thursdays at the Endicott stadium 8:30pm to 10:00pm. Interested players do not need any rugby experience, and existing members and coaches are willing to teach anyone who is interested in learning the game.
