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Post by sneakers on Apr 29, 2016 14:00:45 GMT -5
While there is no doubt that rugby is a "niche" sport at this point keep a few things in mind. 1.) it is growing rapidly. More and more HS and youth teams are springing up. Bona is very well represented in the coaching ranks of these teams. 2.) those that play, or have played are extremely loyal to the sport. Bona plays at about the highest level possible with as mentioned, B and C squads for those less experienced 3.) Xavier and St. anthonys in NYC area, McQuaid and Canisius in WNY and a couple of Catholic HS in Cleveland all have established and powerful rugby programs, playing right into our wheelhouse As previously mentioned, the leadership of Bona rugby; the past and growing success of the program; the program's current league and stature all put us in excellent position to make SBU a destination for high schoolers interested in rugby. Hopefully, other successful groups at Bonaventure- ROTC and BonaResponds, among others leap to mind- can use rugby as a model for attracting future Bonnies. Having a built in activity of interest and a set of potential new friends can only help enrollment and retention numbers while creating happy students (and parents) ready to spread the word about how wonderful Bona's is. All our admissions counselors (and probably SHARE volunteers) should be well versed in the successes of these programs. All very well said. Also this "nitch" sport is growing rapidly and SBU is ahead of the curve on this one.
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Post by elitetaylor33 on Apr 29, 2016 19:22:53 GMT -5
This is a great opportunity for the school to be on the forefront of a sport that may join the sponsored NCAA ranks in the future. However, since the NCAA only cares about money, and Rugby would compete with Football, I don't see it being a NCAA recognized sport any time soon. this is a great opportunity for bonas...in addition to our d1 team, i wonder if there is a club rugby program at bonas that kids who like the sport but don't feel they are good enough to play at the d1 level can be a part of...i'm all in with any idea that can use rugby (or any other sport for that matter) that can increase interest/enrollment for bonas... Coach Clarence, and the program, holds a Summer Camp every yr, for HS Players, to come up and experience life at Bona's, while practicing all the fundamentals, and things like that.. But after reading it again, is your question "is there ANOTHER lower level team at Bona's, that students can participate in, while not having to play along with the guys who are competing against D1 competition"?. Not that I'm aware of, but to my knowledge there are no "cuts", and the Coaching Staff does a great job of getting anyone who wants to play, an opportunity to participate. They may not play in the A games, or the B games, but I'm sure after a couple of semesters of practice, they would eventually be able to get out there and play on the B or C Side for a few games. Anyone who puts in the time and effort, gets rewarded. Thats the great thing about Rugby, its such a tight-nit sport and program, everyone looks out for each other..
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Post by Saulius Dumbliauskas on May 5, 2016 12:32:53 GMT -5
Another example of the Rugby program bringing in students from non-traditional locations. I can't remember anyone from NH in my time at Bonas.
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Post by sneakers on May 8, 2016 7:18:09 GMT -5
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Post by agoo on Jul 21, 2016 12:39:37 GMT -5
sbu.edu/about-sbu/news-events/latest-news/news-release/2016/07/21/picard-osborne-named-full-time-coaches-of-bonas-rugby-programsThe article goes on from there to mention that a major reason for this was increased enrollment. The twitter page would indicate at least 13 freshmen males joining the roster this year as a part of the class of 2020. If we're going to add the women into that recruitment and dedicate two full-time people to it, we could see that number go up to 35 in future years. This is a good investment for the University and, even better, costs are covered by donations. Going beyond the number of recruited students, there are also walk-ons as there were a total of 18 freshmen on the men's roster this year with their twitter referencing 20 recruits.
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Post by thecoach on Jul 21, 2016 13:04:21 GMT -5
QUICK QUESTION: Does the Rugby Team still Fight in groups and act as a Frat would? Also, do they still wear those all important Black Rugby jackets around like they are real athletes??
Just kind of wondering if anything has changed
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Post by agoo on Jul 21, 2016 14:17:38 GMT -5
My eyeroll to that question was impressive.
In addition to being a significant enrollment program, both teams will be added to gobonnies.com and both wear the same logo as our varsity sports. They just aren't NCAA varsity because NCAA doesn't offer a legit rugby outside of 15 women's teams. The men's team is playing at that level already and these program improvements should do the same to promote the women's game on campus.
They weren't choirboys when I was there, but lacked the behavior you're describing (other than the jackets). Further, they are a terrific recruiting tool for students who may not have otherwise considered attending Bona's.
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Post by thecoach on Jul 21, 2016 14:32:43 GMT -5
I just remember them not being able to fight their own battles.
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Post by dadster81 on Jul 21, 2016 15:03:55 GMT -5
To quote thecoach from another thread:
"Are you two really arguing over what seed we are going to be? Lets just hope to get in and be happy. This board is unreal sometimes."
Like his comment above.
#nodidnotplayrugby
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Post by thecoach on Jul 21, 2016 15:25:17 GMT -5
I wish i had as much free time as you, able to pull out old thread replies. Like your comment above. And in my quote above they were arguing over seeding and what seed were we? ? OH, that's right we didnt get a seed. So, basically you pulled an old quote that made a ton of sense. Good Effort dadster.... Now run along
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Post by demourse on Jul 21, 2016 15:46:02 GMT -5
thecoach is really bitter. Must be a rugger wearing one of those sweet jackets stole his Pokémon or something.
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Post by Saulius Dumbliauskas on Jul 21, 2016 15:56:28 GMT -5
Any organization that brings attention to the school, and increase in enrollment, is more than welcome in my book. Whether it me the Rugby team or the a Capella club.
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Post by elitetaylor33 on Jul 21, 2016 18:08:07 GMT -5
QUICK QUESTION: Does the Rugby Team still Fight in groups and act as a Frat would? Also, do they still wear those all important Black Rugby jackets around like they are real athletes?? Just kind of wondering if anything has changed Aww did someone get left out of parties, and feel neglected?!.. QUICK QUESTION: What sport did you play? Or what club/organization were you apart of?.. You come off sounding like some butt hurt reject.. (and god forbid those Rugby teams being close, like a Fraternity as you put it. What were they thinking getting a bunch of people together, getting them to represent the university, and allow for incoming freshman an outlet to meet new people?. I mean darn, if someone would have just stopped them, none of this notoriety their bringing to Bona's all yr, every yr, would be happening right now!)
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Post by elitetaylor33 on Jul 21, 2016 18:11:09 GMT -5
My eyeroll to that question was impressive. In addition to being a significant enrollment program, both teams will be added to gobonnies.com and both wear the same logo as our varsity sports. They just aren't NCAA varsity because NCAA doesn't offer a legit rugby outside of 15 women's teams. The men's team is playing at that level already and these program improvements should do the same to promote the women's game on campus. They weren't choirboys when I was there, but lacked the behavior you're describing (other than the jackets). Further, they are a terrific recruiting tool for students who may not have otherwise considered attending Bona's. If it weren't for the Rugby team, i would of stayed closer to home! But the fact that Bona's had a team, and one that was competing at a pretty decent level, made my decision to go too Bonaventure that much easier!
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Post by tomgleason on Jul 21, 2016 19:18:20 GMT -5
QUICK QUESTION: Does the Rugby Team still Fight in groups and act as a Frat would? Also, do they still wear those all important Black Rugby jackets around like they are real athletes?? Just kind of wondering if anything has changed REAL ATHLETES? I've known a few rugby players in my life...they are DEFINITELY REAL ATHLETES
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