Fairfield University Men's Rugby Football Club

Fairfield University RFC

Full name

Union

Tri-State Conference

Nickname(s)

Red Ruggers

Founded

1963

Ground(s)

Lt. Hans Grauert Field

President

Anif McDonald

Coach(es)

Ben Kelly

League(s)

Tri-State Conference

Team kit

Official website

www.fairfield.edu/athletics/rec_mensrugby.html

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 Tri-State Conference which is governed by USA Rugby.

History

The FURFC celebrated its 45th Anniversary in 2008. 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 50 students.^[1]

The club's motto is Consensio, Contributum et Fidelitas which captures the club's philosophy to emphasize teamwork over individual stardom, contribution more than victory, and loyalty to the club and each other.^[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 prestigious Beast Of The East Tournament in Providence, Rhode Island.^[3] The rugby club just lost their longtime moderator Paul I Davis (PID) who was a key figure in rugby club history (1930–2008) rest in peace PID

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' 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

Team

Rugby Union Titles

Tri-State Conference DII - 2014
MET NY RFU DII - 2008

Rugby Union Playoffs

Northeast RFU DII Quarterfinals - 2007
Northeast RFU DII Semifinals - 2008

Individual

All-American

Brad Troup '03 (HM, 2003)^[5]
Will Brazier '05 (HM, 2005)

Northeast Collegiate All-Star

Brad Troup '03 (2002, 2003)^[6]
Will Brazier '05 (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)

Rugby pitch

Lt. Hans Grauert Memorial Field

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

Paul Davis - longtime club supporter/moderator since 1963 and Professor Emeritus of History^[8]
Christopher Galvin '72 - 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
2014	8	0	0	1st	Tri-State Champions	Ben Kelly	Anif McDonald
2013	6	0	2	1st			Alex Cucchi

References

External links

Fairfield University

Academics	Fairfield University College of Arts and Sciences Charles F. Dolan School of Business School of Engineering Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions Center for Faith and Public Life Other academic programs

Athletics	Baseball Men's basketball Men's hockey Men's lacrosse Men's soccer Men's rugby football club Men's volleyball club Facilities: Alumni Baseball Diamond Alumni Hall Arena at Harbor Yard Lessing Field Lt. Hans Grauert Memorial Field Rafferty Stadium Colonial Athletic Association MAAC

People	Fellows and scholars Notable alumni Notable benefactors President – The Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J.

Places	Bellarmine Museum of Art DiMenna-Nyselius Library Fairfield University Buildings Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts

Student life	Cinefest Fairfield Fairfield University Glee Club Bensonians StagsTV The Mirror WVOF

Rugby union in the United States

Governing body

USA Rugby

Geographical Unions

National teams

Men's	Eagles USA Selects All Americans U-20 U-19 U-17 7s

Women's	Women's U-19 7s

Competitions

College	College rugby Varsity Cup Division 1-A Rugby Collegiate Rugby Championship

Domestic	PRO Rugby USA Rugby Club 7s Men's DI Club Championship Men's DII Club Championship

International	U.S. at the Rugby World Cup Pacific Nations Cup Americas Rugby Cup Americas Rugby Championship

Defunct	Churchill Cup North America 4 Pacific Rim Championship USA Rugby Elite Cup Rugby Super League

International players
Comparison of American football and rugby union
Rugby union in American Samoa
Rugby union in Guam
Rugby union in Puerto Rico
Rugby union in the United States Virgin Islands
USA Rugby South

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