Junior Judah Newsom takes on a University of Southern Indiana opponent. Courtesy | Joseph Frates

Hillsdale College Club Rugby stormed the field in a crushing 44-0 victory over the University of Southern Indiana this past weekend. 

Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn, who arrived halfway through the game, spoke about the team’s performance and the long-standing rugby tradition at the college, attributing much of the team’s current success to that heritage.

“There’s that academy Pat Whalen helped found, and some of these guys are from there,” Arnn said. “He and his brother Ben were both big-time rugby players. It was once said that their Latin was pretty good, but not as good as their rugby.”

Freshman coach Charlie Hickey is recovering from a head injury, having just had six staples removed before this game.

“As long as they don’t get killed, they’ll heal,” Arnn said.

Despite his injuries, Hickey played on Saturday and said the sport has been a major part of his life. 

“Pat Whalen grew up playing rugby, and he taught me in high school — that’s where I learned rugby,” Hickey said. “It’s a great culture.”

Arnn said Whalen reinstated rugby at Hillsdale. After hearing that his former student, Hickey, had taken over leadership of the team, Whalen quickly jumped at the opportunity to offer his support.

“Charlie Hickey, a former student of mine at St. Martin’s Academy, mentioned to me he was taking over the team,” Whalen said. “When Charlie took over, he came and asked me about sponsoring it. I was involved in getting the rugby team going here back in college, so I absolutely wanted to support it.”

Beyond his love for the game, Whalen said his involvement stems from a desire to build a culture of toughness and camaraderie, which he believes are integral to the team’s identity. 

Through his business, Ad Astra Coffee, Whalen became a sponsor for the team, providing more than just financial backing.

“We do coffee, and you want your team to be highly caffeinated when they’re out there in this sport hitting each other,” Whalen said. 

Whalen said he and his older brother Ben, both former rugby players, helped establish the intensity, discipline, and strong sense of tradition that now define rugby at the college.

According to former coach and senior Robert Brandau, the Whalen family’s commitment, combined with the passion of players like Hickey, has helped elevate Hillsdale rugby to the next level. The team is not just competing—they are dominating, with their sights set on a national title, Brandau said.

After winning the Challenge Cup last season in St. Louis, the team was promoted to a higher tier of national competition. Now, they’re competing in the Cohen Cup, the second tier of small college rugby.

“We’re playing in a higher league this year,” Brandau said. “If we continue on the track we’re currently on, it’s certainly a likelihood that we’ll be competing for a national title this year.”

Sophomore Austin Piecuch highlighted key moments in their most recent game and the team’s energy for the rest of the season.

“The energy is off the charts right now,” Piecuch said. “Kellen Pollock took an amazing pass and juked out multiple players to make the goal line. One of the USI guys dove after him but ate dirt as Kellen kicked it into turbo.”

The crowd couldn’t contain its excitement, as senior Drayvon Spies yelled from the sidelines, “Who is that kid?!”

The rugby team plays this Saturday, Sept. 21, at Bowling Green University in Ohio. Their next home game is Oct. 5 at Hayden Park against Kenyon College.