This Saturday, the dormant ground on the corner of Vandeventer
and Laclede will come to life with the opening of Saint Louis
University’s new intramural field.
In attendance will be University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J.
to dedicate the new pitch at 4 p.m. followed by a contest between
SLU’s club rugby team versus the Washington University Bears in
their annual charity match.
In the early goings, SLU has faced some aggressive
competition.
With their regular season conference play occurring in the
spring, fall typically serves as a preseason tune up.
So far they have lost in tight contests with Vanderbilt and
Dayton University–both formidable squads in the college rugby
circuit.
This past weekend, the Bills took the annual Missouri Halloween
Havoc tournament, held in Columbia, Mo., by defeating the
University of Missouri and UM-Rolla.
In addition to playing various college teams, to keep in
competitive form, SLU has played several men’s clubs across the
city.
“We haven’t seen the success we’re accustomed to early on
against the men’s clubs; but we’re competing at a high level
against solid college teams,” said SLU rugby captain Eric
Dettman.
Playing against men’s clubs, the team has fallen to a 1-5
deficit–with their win coming over Halloween in Columbia.
However, against other collegiate squads, the Bills have a plus
.500 record of 3-2.
Detteman feels the fall season play helps the team better
prepare for competition in the spring and says the team is excited
to have a night game at home.
“We’re playing well and a lot of the new kids are coming up
strong.”
Dettman says he was first approached about Saturday’s upcoming
event by SGA president, Adam Meister this summer who talked about
holding their annual fundraiser event on the new fields.
“Adam heard about our coach, Bill Brandt’s, passing this
summer,” Dettman said.
“He had been our head coach for 17 years, and we both thought it
would be a great way to commemorate his memory and dedicate the new
fields.”
The rugby team is very excited they will be affiliated with the
opening of the field and hope to be a fixture in its future.
“It’s really an honor to kick off the first event held on these
fields. It’ll be a great event for the rugby team,” Dettman
said.
“We hope to see a good turnout and hope to host all of our home
games on the new field.”
Also planned to be in attendance is the administrator of all
things intramural, Sam Kelner. Kelner is to serve as grillmaster to
aid in collection of donations.
The Billikens’ club rugby team is one of the oldest
organizations on campus, competing at SLU for more than 70
years.
Their event is sponsored by Qdoba Mexican Grill and will have a
small admission fee, which will serve as a donation to charity.
All such proceeds will go to a cervical cancer foundation to be
determined by the rugby team.
Annual Rugby Charity Match
Who: Wahington University Bears
When: Saturday, 5 p.m.
Where: Intramural field, corner of Laclede and Vandeventer
