After a hiatus of some 30 years, Rugby returns to the Metropolitan campus. The Rugby Club or FDU RFC (Farleigh Dickinson Rugby Football Club) is nearing its inaugural return to the fields of FDU. The History of the program dates back to 1972 where FDU was once one of the most dominant teams in its Division. The team played out of the MET Union (Metropolitan Rugby Union) based out of New York. The MET union is comprised of more than 100 local teams consisting of men's, women's, collegiate (DI, DII, and DIII) and high school divisions.
Rugby is played by athletes of all ages, sizes, and athletic abilities. So what is Rugby? Rugby is the founder of American Football, as we know it. There is a ball carrier, running, tackling and kicking, all similar to American Football. The biggest difference between the two sports is there no equipment in Rugby. It is likened to kids playing backyard football without equipment. Rugby draws athletes of all sizes and backgrounds to include football, soccer, wrestling, track, etc. The game gives any one on the field the ability to run with the ball, tackle, kick, etc. Most players pick up the game just after one or two practices.
The FDU Rugby Club returned to competition during the fall 2010 season in a series of scrimmages against local D-III schools Bard College, Drew University, Rowan University and Montclair State University. The Club was being revived by an Alum who played at the university and was one of its original founding fathers. The majority of colleges in the state, including Princeton, Rutgers and Seton Hall, all have Rugby clubs. Back in the 1970's and 80's both the Teaneck-Hackensack and Madison Campuses both had separate clubs.
FDU officially begins competition in the fall of 2011 as a member of the MET Union's D-III Division. The league consists of: Stony Brook, Rutgers "C", Rowan, Montclair State, Maritime Academy, Molloy, Wagner, Bard, and Drew University.
The direction of the Club is headed by an alum who was the Head Coach at Rowan University from 2007 to 2009, and has coached local High School Rugby for the last 8 years as well. The FDU Club has 5 officers and 1 team captain that lead the team in administrative and on-field matters.
The student-athlete commitment to Rugby is one where the commitment is minimal and fun is tremendous. There are only 2 practices a week and games on weekends...That it! Practices have started but the team is looking for new members, commuter and resident athletes wishing to play a collegiate sport are welcome. Practice will be on Thursday and/or Friday nights, games are on Sundays. There is no deadline to join the team. Any interested student athletes are welcome to come to practice and watch, join, etc.
