Club Sport of the Week: Men’s Rugby

The CSM Men’s Rugby Club is the oldest rugby club in the state of Colorado, and even played in the first match in the state. With this history behind them, the current CSM team has become a powerful force in the rugby world. Mines Rugby is a part of the Eastern Rockies Rugby Football Union (ERRFU) and competes in Division II of USA Rugby. This is intercollegiate competition against several surrounding colleges and universities. The other teams in their league are University of Northern Colorado, Colorado Mesa University, University of New Mexico, Denver University, Regis University, Western State College, and Colorado College.

During the 2008-2009 season, the team took 2nd in the Western Regionals at the University of Northern Colorado. This allowed them to make their first Nationals (Division II Sweet 16) appearance in Florida. The 2009-2010 season found the team taking 4th place in the Western Regionals at Louisiana State University. Despite losing 16 seniors to the class of 2012, the team was invited to play in Division I during the 2010-2011 season.

This move from Division II to Division I allowed the team to attend the Las Vegas Invitational 7’s Tournament for the first time in February, 2012. This is a young tournament, but quickly on the rise with over 100 teams participating this year, including divisions for high school, college, men’s and women’s clubs, and national teams preparing for the 2016 Summer Olympics where 7’s rugby makes its debut. Mines looked to gain valuable experience against international competition, placing one team in the Men’s Open division and one in the Men’s Aces division. Do not let the “Men’s” title deceive you—the teams were composed of young adults in prime physical fitness with high knowledge of rugby.

The Men’s Open team shook off a rough start in pool play and fought back to reach the Bowl Semifinals, which is equivalent to the semifinals of the loser’s bracket. The Men’s Aces team faced stiffer competition. While taking several teams to the last minute and being continually commended by the referees for “fighting until the last whistle,” the team emerged with one victory in the consolation game after pool play. The team was also able to watch the national teams play, seeing the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, South Africa, and other memorable national teams (16 matches in total). While the scores did not always favor Mines, the experience will go a long way in improving the team and teaching the many traditions and customs of international rugby.

The spring season for Mines Rugby begins on Saturday, March 3 at Colorado Mesa University at 1:00 P.M. The following weekend (Saturday, March 10), the team is play at home versus the University of Northern Colorado at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 24 finds the team at the University of New Mexico. The team wraps up their spring season with their 2nd Annual Alumni Game on Saturday, March 31 at Campbell Field at 1:00 P.M.

The Men’s Rugby team is always looking for potential members to work and compete at a high level, and usually has about 20 to 25 members. Please email the team at club-rugbym@mines.edu or stop by practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. on the North IM Fields.