GoSkins561 Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/02/us/collegiate-rugby-battle/index.html Even with Rugby being introduced via childrens leagues, Rugby will always be "underground" in the United States. (CNN) -- In summer 2010, Big Sky High School graduate and football star Glen Maricelli began a grueling 2,170-mile drive from Missoula, Montana, for a collegiate tryout in Marietta, Georgia. It was the farthest from home he had ever been. His goal was a chance to continue his athletic success.Four days later, he arrived in Georgia, exhausted. An hour after that, Maricelli was trying out for the Running Eagles squad, sprinting for fitness tests in the sweltering Georgia summer heat. Gasping for air and dripping with sweat, Maricelli couldn't be happier. "When you're running those sprints, lifting those weights and running up hills, it sucks at the time," he said. "But right when you're done, everyone is out of breath and looking all around, it's like 'yes, it was worth it. That was good.' " A football running back known for scoring three touchdowns in a game, Maricelli discovered rugby in high school as a way to condition. Rather than rely on the controlling coaching aspect of football, rugby allowed Maricelli and his teammates to run the plays and run the game. The sport became his passion, so he put his football days behind him and looked for a college rugby program. Now a sophomore at Life University in Marietta, Maricelli plays for one of the top varsity rugby teams in the U.S. But for most colleges, rugby is considered at best a second-grade niche sport. *Click Link For More* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkabong82 Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 Football came from rugby, so rugby now just comes off as sort of archaic IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I didn't know Rugby was played going uphill. No wonder no one likes it. How do you build a stadium for it? ~Bang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corcaigh Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 IMO, one of the barriers to rugby being taken seriously here is that it is too wrapped in the social scene and as being a very violent game. I played competitively in Ireland, but talk here is of it being a game only for "hard men" (or even thugs) and hard drinkers. That attitude typically existed only on the lower club teams from players who didn't get it in Ireland and England. While some positions demand a nose tackle mentality, most are far from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvoSkins Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I went out of state to college and didn't keep in contact with many friends in high school. When I started a new job, a coworker told me to come out and play rugby. Get some exercise and find a group of good guys to socialize with. That was 6 years ago and I have been to Ireland and Argentina with my club. The team made Nationals last season and is looking for the same result this year. I have made friends for life playing rugby. Yes, rugby is a violent sport. I have cracked a rib, had surgery on my left ankle, and am currently hurt with a lower back injury. All in good fun though. Play hard and party hard. You destroy the other team on the pitch then go drink afterwards. Rugby can be bigger in the US, but the big 4 won't let it happen. Hopefully, rugby 7s in the next Olympics will do a lot for the game. US is the defending champions by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngestson Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I played rugby in college and for a while on a men's league team. It is about as fun a sport as their is and the way in which players stick together is amazing. Contrary to one of the above posts, most teams (certainly those after college) are not thuggish at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoSkins561 Posted September 4, 2011 Author Share Posted September 4, 2011 I went out of state to college and didn't keep in contact with many friends in high school. When I started a new job, a coworker told me to come out and play rugby. Get some exercise and find a group of good guys to socialize with. That was 6 years ago and I have been to Ireland and Argentina with my club. The team made Nationals last season and is looking for the same result this year. I have made friends for life playing rugby.Yes, rugby is a violent sport. I have cracked a rib, had surgery on my left ankle, and am currently hurt with a lower back injury. All in good fun though. Play hard and party hard. You destroy the other team on the pitch then go drink afterwards. Rugby can be bigger in the US, but the big 4 won't let it happen. Hopefully, rugby 7s in the next Olympics will do a lot for the game. US is the defending champions by the way. Not in 7's, we are the defending Olympic champs though. The fly half I played with in college was capped with the Eagles 7's squad and US Atlantis, they pretty much got schooled when they went to Fiji. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corcaigh Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Comparing 7's to the full game is like comparing Arena Football League to the NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoSkins561 Posted September 4, 2011 Author Share Posted September 4, 2011 7's is always in a tournament format though, I remember playing the Boo Daddy with a solid team in 100 degree heat, part of me wanted to lose after. 4 matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 This old hooker played for several years, and found the level of sportsmanship to be very high. And I can tell chicks "I was a starter on a team that beat Notre Dame on their own field" and not be lying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skin'Em84 Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Played flanker in college. Greatest sport I've ever played. The world cup is going to be on universal sports here in the states. I know comcast gets the channel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slateman Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Rugby is fun to watch. Fun to play. Can't wait for the Rugby World Cup next week. GO ALL BLACKS!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehogs Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 IMO, one of the barriers to rugby being taken seriously here is that it is too wrapped in the social scene and as being a very violent game. I played competitively in Ireland, but talk here is of it being a game only for "hard men" (or even thugs) and hard drinkers. That attitude typically existed only on the lower club teams from players who didn't get it in Ireland and England. While some positions demand a nose tackle mentality, most are far from it. The old Oscar Wilde quote said that 'rugby was a game for barbarians played by gentlemen and football ('soccer') was a game for gentlemen played by barbarians', so I guess the initial point of view could be the sticking point with some. There was always the image in the UK too that the highest levels of the sport only picked players that were inavriably from well-off, public schools. Certainly seems to be a big push on things like Sky Sports for a much bigger coverage of 7's tournaments at international level and would I think encourage player involvement in the US. If you play 7's by the way you are playing a Scots version of the game, thought up by rugby teams in the Scottish Borders for a tournament many, many years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herb mul-key Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Played for Towson State and the Washington Irish...17stitches in my eyebrow and a 3rd degree shoulder separation a flailed chest etc...also beer slides, great songs and singing, rugby queens road trips and parties...great times and just memories now...fantastic game! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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