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CrooksisRhyming · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 5:54 pm Post subject: UMass Rugby

The UMass rugby team defeated Middlebury today to win the Division 2 New England Championship! For the past four years the team has gone through some serious upheaval - including getting demoted from Division 1 to Division 2. Now they are the best team in New England in D2. Today is a great day for UMass rugby alumni, and I wanted to be sure to share this with you guys.

CONGRATS UMASS! WE ARE THE BOYS OF UMASS!!!
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"Wherever I go, I’ll never be bashful about being from UMass, baby.” -Victor Cruz

Jackman · Senior Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 1973

Congrats to the Ruggers!

Does a promotion to the top league come with that championship, or does it not work like that? Regardless, well done. I wish men's rugby was a varsity spring sport.

CrooksisRhyming · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:54 am Post subject:

Thanks Jackman,

I'm not really sure how the system works these days. When I played - '01-'05 - the New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU) set up was much differently. It was White League (D-1) and Green League (D-2) and the bottom two team from the White League moved down to the Green League, and the top two from the Green League moved up.

I would love rugby to be a spring game, but none of the Northeast teams have their main season in the spring. We typically went to tournaments and played exhibition games. Several Western teams play in the spring - and for the most part the Western teams are the best in the country: Cal-Berkley, Colorado, BYU, Wyoming, Utah, etc.

Here's the brief article from Rugby Magazine ... for all you guys in the area, get out there and support the ruggers!

http://www.rugbymag.com/news/colleges/men-dii-college/umass-impresses-in-claiming-new-england-championship.aspx
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"Wherever I go, I’ll never be bashful about being from UMass, baby.” -Victor Cruz

CrooksisRhyming · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:26 am Post subject:

UMass won the consolation game at the Northeast Championships and will be heading to Nationals!
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"Wherever I go, I’ll never be bashful about being from UMass, baby.” -Victor Cruz

CrooksisRhyming · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:23 am Post subject:

http://massdailycollegian.com/?s=rugby&x=0&y=0&=Go
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"Wherever I go, I’ll never be bashful about being from UMass, baby.” -Victor Cruz

CrooksisRhyming · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:26 pm Post subject:

UMass defeated Wisconsin last night in the Sweet Sixteen of the Division II USA Rugby National Championships. Today they face Arizona State for a chance to go to the Final Four out in California. As a rugby alumni, I couldn't be prouder of this team, and I hope they kick some Sun Devil ass today!

GO UMASS!!!!!
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"Wherever I go, I’ll never be bashful about being from UMass, baby.” -Victor Cruz

MassMan06 · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:20 pm Post subject:

With teams like Wisco and ASU in DII who the heck is in DI?

78 · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 11:10 pm Post subject:

UMass beats Arizona State to advance to the semifinals versus Temple. Other two schools in semis are Claremont and Miami of Ohio. FYI, it was Wisconsin-Whitewater that UMass beat Saturday. Interesting in that UMass is the #15 seed in the 16-team field. Quite an accomplishment. Here is a link to the bracket:

http://www.usarugby.org/default.asp
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If only I could be as great a fan as Pierce9999....

Jackman · Senior Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 1973

BYU, Army, Cal and Arkansas State are the final four in Division I. Probably a great sport for Army.

I don't want to take anything away from the great accomplishment of the Rugby team, but it's frustrating that everyone in the bracket goes by their normal name and we're some podunk "Univ. MA-Amherst" school.

CrooksisRhyming · Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 12:53 pm Post subject:

Army is historically the best rugby team in the Northeast. They basically get all the guys that don't want to play for a losing football team and would rather compete for a national championship yearly.

My bad with the wisconsin thing - I read the e-mail from our coach and he called them Wisconsin ... my mistake.

We are moving back to Division I next year because we won the New England Championships. I know myself and other rugby alumni were very disappointed when we were relegated to Division II. Through my four years we were one of the best teams on the eastern seaboard at the Division I level, and then two years after I graduated the team did not win a game. This is a big year for UMass rugby and I couldn't be prouder of this team.

Final Four bound vs. Temple. This is going to be one of the biggest games in the history of the program. I wish I had the funds to go to the game, but alas it's not in the cards. Miami of Ohio is the team I fear the most - assuming we beat Temple. They are in a similar situation as we are. They are historically a great rugby team, but due to a few down years and great competition: Penn State, Ohio State, Ohio U, Cincy, etc ... they couldn't compete. However, they are goddamned good.

Hopefully the boys can make us prouder than we already are. UMass rugby is the most successful team on campus this year, and the boys deserve all the respect in the world.

GO UMASS RUGBY!!!! "WE ARE THE BOYS OF UMASS!!!"
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"Wherever I go, I’ll never be bashful about being from UMass, baby.” -Victor Cruz

CrooksisRhyming · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 6:31 pm Post subject:

http://tinyurl.com/26wdel8
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"Wherever I go, I’ll never be bashful about being from UMass, baby.” -Victor Cruz

78 · Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 11:33 am Post subject:

Temple squeaks by UMass 33-30 and will play in the finals versus Claremont. Nice job, Minutemen. Great season.
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If only I could be as great a fan as Pierce9999....

Jackman · Senior Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 1973

I found some amateur sideline video of the game against Temple while searching for more info. Not sure how long it will be up, and obviously it's not high quality footage.

First Half
Second Half