1. Uncle Gabe wants you!
Last season Hillsdale Rugby went 0-5. Four of those games were very close even though we were severely undermanned. You’re the difference between 0-5 and a winning season. But it gets worse. With a number of players graduating this spring, it’s safe to say Hillsdale Rugby will disappear next year unless we get a good turn out. What kind of message would it send to our public school rivals if we can no longer field a team? That Hillsdale guys are soft, scared, and weak? Now, it might sound like I’m playing off your pride worse than a Marine Corps recruiter, but there is some pride up for grabs here. I believe Hillsdale is a school with lots of good men. Therefore, we should have the best rugby team in the division. It’s fun, not too time consuming, easy to learn, and you don’t have to be a beast — just tough.
2. Chicks dig it
This is the reason guys do 98 percent of what we do, right? Well nothing appeals more to young women than a guy who can go out on the rugby pitch and handle his own. Chances are she’ll swoon the moment you walk off the field sweaty, covered in grass, dirt, cuts and bruises. Remember when you were little and you fell off your bike or ran into a tree and your dad dusted you off, wiped the blood off your forehead and told you that girls like scars and bruises? It’s the same principle. Getting a black eye playing Frisbee just doesn’t have the same effect.
3. You’ll get in better shape
If your New Years’ resolution was to shed fat, add muscle, get faster, or do anything fitness related, then rugby is a good way to get the ball rolling. Practices are two hours, three times a week, with a moderate amount of running. Joining is good way to hold yourself accountable and make progress. There are a number of guys on the team who would be happy to lift with you in the meantime. Once matches roll around, 80 minutes of nonstop action on a pitch the size of soccer field will get you in shape quick.
4. You can be part of a team
Nothing creates fraternity like going out with fifteen guys and trying to beat the hell out of fifteen other guys. I’ve met my best friends playing rugby. Getting ready for another season only brings us closer.
5. Socials
If you’ve never put your arms around your teammates and sung together or seen a guy drink a beer out of a sweat-soaked rugby cleat, then you probably don’t play rugby and you’re definitely missing out. After every game the home team hosts a small party for the visitors complete with food, beer, songs and camaraderie. It’s a great time. I’ve met ruggers from Zimbabwe, Australia, and South Africa. It’s also a cool feeling when you find yourself sharing a laugh with the guy that just kicked you in the face.
Hope to see you this spring.