Western Connecticut State University
The Western Connecticut State University Rugby team was started in 1988 by Jim Fish, Sean Abbott, Matt Crainich, Ed O’Dwyer, and Norm Ryan. These five founding fathers worked hard and it paid off, because in 1990 they won the New England Rugby Football Union Div III championship. As a result of this victory, the club was moved up to New England Rugby Football Union Division II.
By 1994 the club was very successful and won the Division II New England Championship, as well as the Division II North East championship. It was during this time that the club also won the Providence Beast of the East Tournament, the largest collegiate invitational tournament in the north east. This is a tournament of approximately 40 teams held in the spring.
Due to a large graduating class in 1996, WCSU RFC opted to compete in division III in 1997, that first year the club made the playoffs. By 1999 the club was back on top and won the New England RFU Division III Championship, as well as the Division III North East Championship. Since then WCSU continued to compete in division III in New England and continued to build on past years championships. In 2004 WCSU went undefeated all the way through the playoffs to once again win the New England RFU Division III Championship, as well as the division III North East Championship. They then in the spring of 2005 WCSU went to South Carolina and competed in the Division III National Championship tournament. The did a good job representing the North East playing Duke University and Lehigh University to take third in the Nation.
WCSU Rugby has been the longest running, most successful club on campus, and has been one of the most successful sports organizations since its inception. The big reason for the clubs success is due in most part to Rich Sullivan and the rest of the Administration at WCSU, for without their support WCSU Rugby wouldn’t have enjoyed half the success they have had. Also, WCSU Rugby would like to thank the Coaches Bill San Giacomo, and John O’Neill who played for WCSU in college and have been volunteering as coaches of WCSU RFC since 1996. As well as DJ Bullock who was also a player on the team and a Captain for 3 years.
