Rugby considers move to Division I

By Allie Blood

Published March 11, 2008

The men’s rugby team started its second season with steam from its undefeated record first semester.

The team usually begins the second semester with the Saint Louis University Mardi Gras Tournament, but this year the tournament was canceled due to snow. The team’s next match was against Missouri University of Science and Technology, which was a scrimmage because MST didn’t have enough players.

“They brought down some players from a men’s team in Springfield,” team member Kyle Pusateri said.

The first weekend in March, the team played at the Nebraska Invitational and won against two rivals.

“March 1 we had a huge weekend for the club,” senior Jeff Rehder said.

First, the team dominated University of Nebraska-Lincoln 19-13. Next, the team defeated Colorado State University 12-10. Compared to first semester games, the scores were low because the games were more difficult, players said.

“We showed a lot of character,” Pusateri said. “They were hard-fought games.”

Both Nebraska and Colorado State are ranked in the first division, while the Tigers are ranked in Division II. Because of its success this season, the team has considered a move to Division I.

Match secretary senior Will Rein said the move might have to wait.

“We are fully capable of competing at the next level because we are so talented and have enough depth,” Rein said. “The main thing keeping us back is our relatively small budget.”

The team can afford only a few road games a year, and without funding from alumni or MU Recreation Services and Facilities, the only other option is to hold invitational tournaments in which other teams pay to participate. Rein said this is not likely to happen.

“Our fields wouldn’t hold up to the abuse of multiple games on a given weekend,” Rein said.

Last semester, the Tigers ended their season at the Big 12 Tournament. There were injuries to top players, and the team lost its matches. This semester, the team is missing only senior Brian Bage to injury. Bage sustained a broken arm last semester during a game.

Despite the force of the team and the wins in Nebraska, the team lost to Saint Louis University on Saturday, 14-10.

Rein said the team’s biggest problem is the lack of practice on a normal field. MU Recreation Services and Facilities has not allowed the team to practice on Epple Field because of rain and snow.

“Last semester the field was dry, so we could both practice and play out there,” Rein said.

The Tigers have practiced since the semester began. When there is no space on Stankowski Field or the weather does not permit outdoor practice, Pusateri said the team runs and does drills on basketball courts at the Student Recreation Complex.

“I was surprised how well we did in Nebraska because of our lack of outdoor practice,” Pusateri said.

Saturday, the team will play the University of Illinois. The winner of the match will advance to the regional tournament. If MU or UI can win there, it would advance to the Elite 8 competition and play against the winners of all the regional tournaments for a national title.

“We’re coming together at MU to make a name for Missouri rugby,” Pusateri said.