Although I didnt play rugby at Colby (I swam instead), as a citizen of South Africa, where we live for rugby (and people may even claim rugby united South Africa), I cannot be any more upset about this decision. Finally Colby had the opportunity to provide eager students with a sports competition that normally falls out of the normal American high school sports routine. Rugby is a classic sport that teaches teamwork, mental fortitude, determination and many other qualities that are essential for successful people. Instead with this decision, Colby is pointing out that it does not want its students to be able to enjoy this international sport/activity, which is confusing to me since Colby tries every year to bring in international students and provide programs for the minority students on campus. If the school clearly doesnt want to embrace this phenomenal international sport because of cost issues, then I do not see why students like myself, with international backgrounds should feel justified that our tuition was being spent to the betterment of this school. I love Colby, but this seriously curtails much of the work that this school has done to promote diversity.
J
John Ager
12 years ago
I have been playing rugby for over 30 years with and against some of the best players the US has to offer. The two concussions I suffered were a small price to pay for the joy I experienced in the hard work, teamwork, and camaraderie of the game. My daughters contine to be amazed that whenever we go to a rugby event, I meet someone who shared that joy with me.
A
Aaron Dickinson
12 years ago
Rugby is NOT a sport that should be cut from college programs, rather embraced for its Sportsmanship, integrity, dedication and family like qualities. The image of rugby being a brutal/ beer drinking sport is only seen by the people who do not understand the game and it's culture. Indeed rugby requires a level of physical and mental toughness that most people would not understand, but to a rugger, it is a way of life and part of the "family" culture that the players live! We do not play a dangerous sport, we do not wear pads and we do not hate our opponents - no pads in contact means self-preservation, unlike football, hockey & lacross. In any contact sport there is risk of injury, but there are more career ending injuries in American football in the United States in 1 year than there is in rugby throughout the world in the same season. The International Rugby Bureau (IRB) over-sees rugby throughout the entire world and is constantly making adjustments to the Laws of the game for players safety and conduct. I challenge anyone to find any other sport in the world where not only does a competition stay on the field, but afterwards the teams socialize together as family and RESPECT one another. In 23 years of playing rugby I have meet players from all of the the world and to this day remain in contact as though they were my family, because they are! I can go anywhere in the world and find a rugby team and find an instant family that is willing to be social, friendly and helpful. Rugby is NOT just about the "organized chaos" on the field and the mis-understood social aspects of the teams, but rather about the sportsmanship of every player, the dedication to personal fitness, and the "family" one gains the days they call themselves a "rugger". I am not associated with Colby College or Colby rugby in anyway, but if anyone of these players told me they played rugby and needed help - there would be at least 25 local ruggers ready to step up and help in anyway they can - THU
Although I didnt play rugby at Colby (I swam instead), as a citizen of South Africa, where we live for rugby (and people may even claim rugby united South Africa), I cannot be any more upset about this decision. Finally Colby had the opportunity to provide eager students with a sports competition that normally falls out of the normal American high school sports routine. Rugby is a classic sport that teaches teamwork, mental fortitude, determination and many other qualities that are essential for successful people. Instead with this decision, Colby is pointing out that it does not want its students to be able to enjoy this international sport/activity, which is confusing to me since Colby tries every year to bring in international students and provide programs for the minority students on campus. If the school clearly doesnt want to embrace this phenomenal international sport because of cost issues, then I do not see why students like myself, with international backgrounds should feel justified that our tuition was being spent to the betterment of this school. I love Colby, but this seriously curtails much of the work that this school has done to promote diversity.
I have been playing rugby for over 30 years with and against some of the best players the US has to offer. The two concussions I suffered were a small price to pay for the joy I experienced in the hard work, teamwork, and camaraderie of the game. My daughters contine to be amazed that whenever we go to a rugby event, I meet someone who shared that joy with me.
Rugby is NOT a sport that should be cut from college programs, rather embraced for its Sportsmanship, integrity, dedication and family like qualities. The image of rugby being a brutal/ beer drinking sport is only seen by the people who do not understand the game and it's culture. Indeed rugby requires a level of physical and mental toughness that most people would not understand, but to a rugger, it is a way of life and part of the "family" culture that the players live! We do not play a dangerous sport, we do not wear pads and we do not hate our opponents - no pads in contact means self-preservation, unlike football, hockey & lacross. In any contact sport there is risk of injury, but there are more career ending injuries in American football in the United States in 1 year than there is in rugby throughout the world in the same season. The International Rugby Bureau (IRB) over-sees rugby throughout the entire world and is constantly making adjustments to the Laws of the game for players safety and conduct. I challenge anyone to find any other sport in the world where not only does a competition stay on the field, but afterwards the teams socialize together as family and RESPECT one another. In 23 years of playing rugby I have meet players from all of the the world and to this day remain in contact as though they were my family, because they are! I can go anywhere in the world and find a rugby team and find an instant family that is willing to be social, friendly and helpful. Rugby is NOT just about the "organized chaos" on the field and the mis-understood social aspects of the teams, but rather about the sportsmanship of every player, the dedication to personal fitness, and the "family" one gains the days they call themselves a "rugger". I am not associated with Colby College or Colby rugby in anyway, but if anyone of these players told me they played rugby and needed help - there would be at least 25 local ruggers ready to step up and help in anyway they can - THU