COMMENTARY

It’s that time of year again. The blistering sun has been replaced by breezy Saturday afternoons; the leaves are turning and your favorite sweatshirt has been resurrected from your closet floor.

Yep, autumn is finally here, and I know what some of you sports buffs are thinking. You don’t know what to do on those Saturday afternoons without a football team on campus.

It’s not enough just to sit on your tail all day watching weak football match-ups commentated by annoying broadcasters.

Well, I’ve got a little secret for you. There’s all the hard-hitting, bone-cracking and heart-pounding action one needs-just five minutes from your undersized living room television sets. That’s right, the SLU Rugby Club is back for another exciting season and is ready to bring you high-intensity action this fall season at the Jewel Box rugby fields, in the heart of Forest Park.

You’ve got to come out and see these guys. The game of rugby has something to offer for everyone. For the soccer fans, the nonstop flow of the game is awfully enticing. For you die hard football buffs, just watching one hit will make you a rugby fan. For you ladies who aren’t big sports fans, there are plenty of young men running around in short shorts out on the field. And for you not so sporty guys, it’s not a bad idea to just come out to see those girls.

Regardless, it is nonstop action out on the field, as well as an overall good time for everyone. It’s a great way to bring the SLU student body together on the weekends. Bring a Frisbee, a football, a blanket or even a cooler and just hang out and spend some quality time outdoors with your friends.

Don’t be caught sitting on your couch on a perfectly beautiful Saturday afternoon in autumn. Go to Forest Park and see what this game is all about.

Led by a core group of seniors, SLU Rugby will face a challenging Division-II collegiate schedule that brings club teams from all over St. Louis as well as a good amount of college teams to SLU’s home turf. They will take on schools such as Southern Indiana, Rhodes College in Memphis and will play archrival Washington University in a night game for charity at St. Vincent’s parish.

The team is also set to head up to Marquette University over Fall Break to play in the Jesuit Cup Tournament.

The squad is led by a core duo of senior captains. Forward Chris Thacker and fly half Peter Kowalski lead the team, which is coached by veteran rugby guru Bill Brandt. The teamwork and effort of SLU Rugby is evident upon first sight of their white, blue and red jerseys.

You will see Thacker senior Ben Capoccia and sophomore Quinn Guerrin lead the scrum, as they bash into their opponents with an odd sense of elegance. You will see Kowalski, junior fullback Nick Shaeffer, and senior center Nick “Dancin'” Miofsky run over rival defenders with a certain grace about them in the backfield.

SLU Rugby players range from freshmen to law students and their styles range from big and burly, to thick and quick. The game’s last 80 minutes, are full of big hits and individual finesse. But only so much can be said; you’re just going to have to get outside and find out for yourselves just what I am talking about.

All I’m asking is for you to get off that couch this Saturday and head out to the Jewel Box fields in Forest Park. SLU is set to play the St. Louis Hornets, a men’s club team, at noon.

Bring some friends, cheer on the team and hang out with the guys after the game. Give this SLU tradition some support and see what this game of rugby is all about. You won’t regret it. In fact, you’ll probably become a fan.