Fairfield University Men's Rugby Football Club
Fairfield University Men's Rugby Football Club (or FURFC) is a men's college rugby team based at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. The nickname for the FURFC is the Red Ruggers. The Red Ruggers compete in the Division 1-A Liberty Rugby Conference which is governed by USA Rugby.
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| Full name | Fairfield University Men's Rugby Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Union | Liberty Rugby Conference | |
| Nickname(s) | Red Ruggers | |
| Founded | 1963 | |
| Ground(s) | Lt. Hans Grauert Field | |
| President | Ryan Handelman | |
| Coach(es) | Austin Ryan and Marc Downes | |
| League(s) | Liberty Rugby Conference | |
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| Official website | ||
| www | ||
The club's motto is Consensio, Contributum et Fidelitas which captures the club's philosophy to emphasize teamwork, contribution, and loyalty to the club and each other.[1]
History
The FURFC celebrated its 55th Anniversary in 2018. The FURFC was established in 1963 and is the longest continuously running sport club at Fairfield University. The club has grown considerably over the past 10 years, and now includes over 60 students.[2]
The Red Ruggers successfully concluded the Fall 2008 season with an 8-1 record winning the MET NY RFU Division 2 Title and advancing to the Northeast RFU Division 2 Semifinals. During the Spring 2008 season, the Red Ruggers split two matches with the Bahamian national team on the '08 spring break rugby tour in Nassau, Bahamas and participated in the Beast Of The East tournament in Providence, Rhode Island.[3] The rugby club's longtime moderator Paul I Davis was a key figure in rugby club history (1930–2008).
After winning the Division II Tri-State Rugby Conference in 2015, the Red Ruggers moved to the Division IAA East Coast Rugby Conference in 2016. In 2017, the Red Ruggers moved to the highest level of college rugby when it joined the Division 1-A Liberty Rugby Conference. 2019 Stats are 4-2
Former Red Ruggers Paul Sheehy '81 competed for the USA Eagles at the 1991 Rugby World Cup and Will Brazier '05 competed for the United States national rugby league team at the 2004 Liberty Bell Cup.[4]
Paul I. Davis oral history
The following conversation with longtime club supporter and moderator Paul I. Davis occurred on the eve of the 45th anniversary of the Fairfield University Rugby Club. An oral history, it captures the late Davis's historical knowledge and perspective of the rugby club. The interviewees include former players and longtime club supporters Mark Feeley, Chris Grauert, Tom Connor, and Kurt Schlicting. The interview was conducted at Alumni House on the campus of Fairfield University on October 24, 2008.
Accomplishments
TeamRugby Union Titles:
Rugby Union Playoffs:
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IndividualAll-American:
Northeast Collegiate All-Star:
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Rugby pitch
The home Rugby Pitch of the Red Ruggers is the Lt. Hans Grauert Memorial Field. Christopher Grauert, '68 and his mother, Leila B. Grauert, donated the rugby pitch to Fairfield in 2003 in honor of his brother Lt. Hans Grauert, who was a naval aviator lost at sea during the Vietnam War. During the dedication ceremony at the FURFC 40th Anniversary Celebration, Grauert read a letter written by his mother to honor the players and the esteemed tradition of hard efforts on and off the field of the Red Ruggers. In the letter, Grauert's mother wrote, "Like everyone else in this room, Hans possessed the traits which personify every rugger—athleticism, good sportsmanship, and a zest for life. This rugby pitch resides in the softest part of my heart and will always remain 'God's Little Acre' to me!"[7]
People
Hall of Fame
- Doug Ciacci (1965) - co-founder of the Fairfield University Rugby Football Club as an undergraduate during the Fall of 1963
- Paul Davis - longtime club supporter/moderator since 1963 and Professor Emeritus of History[8]
- Christopher Galvin (1972) - two-time team MVP who served as team captain and player-coach from 1971 to 1972[9]
Notable alumni
- Will Brazier '05 - plays for the USA Tomahawks, USA Falcons, Connecticut Wildcats and Old Blue Rugby Football Club
- Tim Kreen '67 - cofounded the Essex Rugby Club (later became the OMEX Rugby Club); cofounded the Ridgewood RAYS Rugby Association[10]
- Paul Sheehy - played for the USA Eagles at the 1991 Rugby World Cup;[11] member of the Washington Rugby Football Club Hall of Fame[12]
- Brad Troup '03 - played for the Connecticut Wildcats
Annual record
| Year | W | L | T | Conference | Post-Season | Head Coach | President |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1st | 1st Round | Rory O'Connor | Alex Cucchi |
| 2014 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1st | Tri-State Champions | Ben Kelly | Anif McDonald |
References
- Paul Irwin Davis, men's rugby moderator profile
- FURFC Spring 2008 Season in Review
- A Stag scrum: Men's club rugby team continues 'banner year'
- Life Photo: Will Brazier, Phillips Kangaroos v USA Tomahawks, accessed March 27, 2011.
- Troupe rallies Stags
- Troupe rallies Stags
- Rugby celebrates 40th anniversary
- A Conversation with Paul Irwin Davis, Moderator of Fairfield University Rugby Football Club, 1968-1989
- Christopher Galvin '72, men's rugby
- Ridgewood RAYS Team History
- Scrum.com: Paul Sheehy Profile
- Washington Rugby Hall of Fame