When I first joined Swarthmore rugby three years ago, we were just nine guys gathering on Cunningham Field three times a week, running practices led by our captain, Brinton Vandegrift ’22. Brinton had only picked up rugby in college himself, but he shared everything he knew with us rookies who were holding a rugby ball for the first time. Flash forward to today– more than 20 players now come to practice, led by our new coach, Phil Egner, who brings a lifetime of rugby experience to the team. This growth is part of a larger rebuilding of the Swarthmore men’s rugby program, which nearly grew extinct after the pandemic.
We’ve gone from needing to join forces with Haverford College in order to fill out a field to being able to roster two separate teams today. And we’re not just playing, we’re winning. Last year, we defeated Franklin & Marshall College, Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Gettysburg College, and Marywood University. We’ve also captured our first tournament title during my time here.
This semester, we’ve partnered with Media Rugby, who train us once a week. It’s an opportunity to deepen our tactical understanding of the game, to evolve from seven-asides (seven players on each team) to a more complex fifteen-aside game (fifteen players on each team). Because seven-asides, or rugby sevens, allow for much more space available on the field, the game emphasizes speed and skill. Fifteens, on the other hand, are played more slowly, and require developed set piece and tactical plays in order to win.
Importantly, this coaching has expanded our network, establishing connections with Swat alumni off the field.
Speaking of alumni, one of our proudest achievements was last spring’s alumni game. More than just a fun day of rugby, it connected generations of Swarthmore students who devoted themselves to the sport. We heard stories of decades-old traditions (rest assured, no utensils are used at the banquet) and even learned about a few traditions worth reviving, some of which we put to good use on our first Wednesday night. Looking ahead, we plan to host another alumni game in April, with hopes of making it a yearly tradition. The torch will eventually pass to the next generation of Swarthmore rugby players, but for now, we’re proud to be keeping the flame alive.
