Fairfield University Men's Rugby Football Club

Rugby team
teamname = Fairfield University RFC


fullname = Fairfield University Men's Rugby Football Club
nickname = Red Ruggers
union = Metropolitan New York Rugby Union
country

url = www.fairfield.edu/rec_mensrugby.html
founded = 1963
ground = Lt. Hans Grauert Field
president = flagicon|USA Michael Kennedy
coach = flagicon|USA Matt Leonard
league = Metropolitan New York Rugby Union, Collegiate Men's Division II
pattern_la1 =
pattern_b1 =
pattern_ra1 =
leftarm1 = C41E3A
body1 = C41E3A
rightarm1 = C41E3A
shorts1 = FFFFFF
socks1 = C41E3A

Fairfield University Men's Rugby Football Club or FURFC is a men's college rugby club based at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. The nickname for the FURFC is the Red Ruggers. The Red Ruggers compete in the Men's Collegiate Division II League of the Metropolitan New York Rugby Union which is governed by the Northeast Rugby Union of USA Rugby. The Coach of the Red Ruggers is Matt Leonard.

History

The FURFC is celebrating it's 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. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/rec_mensrugby.html FURFC Spring 2008 Season in Review] ]

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. [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/ar_hofinduct03.html#pdavis Paul Irwin Davis, men's rugby moderator profile] ]

The Red Ruggers successfully concluded the Spring 2008 season with a 6-2 record. Competition included a split against the Bahamian National Team on the '08 Spring Break Rugby Tour in Nassau, Bahamas and participation in the prestigious Beast Of The East Tournament in Providence, Rhode Island. [ [http://www.fairfieldmirror.com/sports/1.474122 A Stag scrum: Men's club rugby team continues 'banner year'] ]

Rugby Pitch

The home Rugby Pitch of the Red Ruggers is the Lt. Hans Grauert Field. Dr. Christopher Grauert, '68 and his wife, Leila B. Grauert, donated the Rugby Pitch to Fairfield in 2003 in honor of their son 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, Dr. Grauert, read a letter written by his wife to honor the players and the esteemed tradition of hard efforts on and off the field of the Red Ruggers. In the letter, Mrs. Grauert wrote " [l] ike 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!" [ [http://www.fairfieldmirror.com/sports/1.482004 Rugby celebrates 40th anniversary] ]

Awards

All-American

*Brad Troup '03 (HM, 2003) [ [http://www.fairfieldmirror.com/sports/1.481633 Troupe rallies Stags] ]
*Will Brazier '05 (HM, 2005)

Northeast Collegiate All-Star

*Brad Troup '03 (2002, 2003) [ [http://www.fairfieldmirror.com/sports/1.481633 Troupe rallies Stags] ]
*Will Brazier '05 (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)

Hall of Fame

*Paul Davis - longtime club supporter/moderator since 1963 and professor emeritus of History [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/ar_hofinduct03.html#pdavis Paul Irwin Davis, men's rugby moderator] ]
*Christopher Galvin '72 - two-time team MVP who served as team captain and player-coach from 1971 to 1972 [ [http://www.fairfield.edu/ar_hofinduct91.html#cgalvin Christopher Galvin '72, men's rugby] ]

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 [ [http://www.ridgewoodrugby.com/teamhistory.php Ridgewood RAYS Team History] ]
*Paul Sheehy - played for the USA Eagles at the 1991 Rugby World Cup; [ [http://www.scrum.com/1200_1205.php?player=31549&includeref=dynamic Scrum.com: Paul Sheehy Profile] ] member of the Washington Rugby Football Club Hall of Fame [ [http://www.washingtonrugbyclub.org/hallr.htm Washington Rugby Hall of Fame] ]
*Brad Troup '03 - plays for the Connecticut Wildcats

References

External links

* [http://www.fairfield.edu/rec_mensrugby.html Official site]
* [http://www.metnyrfu.org/ Metropolitan New York Rugby Union]
* [http://www.northeastrugby.org/ Northeast Rugby Union]
* [http://www.usarugby.org USA Rugby]
* [http://www.usacollegerugby.com USA College Rugby]