BY: SAMUEL WEILERT; STAFF WRITER Photo: @sbuwomensrugby on Instagram Fifty Years ago, St. Bonaventure University Rugby played its first season. Now in 2025, the men’s and women’s teams are some of the most decorated programs in Northeastern America. Freshman forward Jacob Papesh is looking forward to this milestone year. “It’s a big year for us,…
Photo: Colby Gaines BY: GAVIN WATSON, STAFF WRITER There are many differences between rugby 15s and sevens, some related to strategy and some to do with the physical game. Rugby sevens is played with seven players on each side of the field and each half of the game lasting 14 minutes. “In sevens, mistakes are…
Photo: St. Bonaventure Men’s Rugby Instagram BY: KYLE MAIER, SPORTS EDITOR As the clock struck zero on the 2023 National Collegiate Rugby Division I National Championship last December, the St. Bonaventure men’s rugby team ended on the wrong side of the scoreboard, losing 35-10 to Notre Dame College. Nine months later, as the Bonnies open…
Photo: St. Bonaventure Women’s Rugby Facebook BY KYLE MAIER, SPORTS ASSIGNMENT EDITOR The St. Bonaventure women’s rugby team plays for a chance to hoist the Women’s Division I Club Cup in the Collegiate Rugby Championship this weekend. Bonaventure will face the University of Oregon at 11:40 a.m. Saturday at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Due to the…
The St. Bonaventure University men’s rugby team defeated the Notre Dame College Falcons Saturday, 32-12. The Bonnies entered this game as No. 13 in the nation, with Notre Dame just one spot behind at No. 14, according to D1ARugby.com. The Bonnies came out strong from the start, as Charles Schwenk put the Bonnies on the…
Photo by The Bona Venture’s Sydney Best The St. Bonaventure slogan, “Fill the hill,” was in full effect on Friday as several families and students lined the hill beside Marra Athletic Field on the St. Bonaventure campus as the St. Bonaventure rugby team took on Navy. Both St. Bonaventure and Navy were…
By Jonathan Sawyer Assistant Sports Editor The men’s rugby team has been going through a rebuilding season. Senior Captain Phil Jackling, says even though the team is struggling, he sees improvement every week in practice and games. “Our record of 1-5 does not accurately reflect how well the team is doing,” Jackling said.…
By Jonathan Sawyer Assistant Sports Editor Heading to the playoffs for it’s second straight year, the St. Bonaventure women’s rugby team looks to continue its success in a match-up against Union College in the first round of the playoffs Saturday. This matchup will challenge the team, players said. “Union is undefeated in the regular season,…
By Emily Mulcahey Staff Writer The men’s rugby club has put up tough competition this season against some of the best teams in their new division. The team has been competing in Division 1-A, the highest in the country. Following a game against Army, one so close it gave the audience whip lash, the…
By Emily Mulcahey Contributing Writer As darkness drew nearer on Saturday night, the lights surrounding the Marra Turf Complex flickered to life. Over 1,000 dedicated fans crowded the sidelines in the chilly air, but all remained unusually quiet in anticipation. The bagpipes blared an old Irish tune, and with the steam of their breath…
By Zach Waltz Sports Editor The women’s rugby team improved to a perfect 3-0 record last Saturday against Fredonia in a 27-10 win. Senior scrum half Erin Ballou said the Bonnies’ fast pace offense played a large role in winning the game. “This past weekend, a big factor to our success was being able…
By Emily Mulcahey Contributing Writer Having had an almost perfect season last year and dealing a blow-out win to Syracuse to start this season, it seemed that the St. Bonaventure Men’s Rugby Club had reached their dawn without darkness. However, even the most skilled competitors can have a tough game. The Bonnies could not pull…
Zach Waltz Sports Editor The women’s rugby team is coming off of a 39-0 win over Geneseo last weekend. Junior prop Julia Rodriguez said the Bonnies have been working on the basics to keep the momentum going against Niagara tomorrow at 1 on McGraw-Jennings field. “This week, we have been working more on power…
By Emily Mulcahey Contributing Writer It is no secret that the St. Bonaventure Men’s Rugby team has had immense talent over the years, so much so that they were moved into the highest division in the region, Rugby East. With higher stakes in this new division, the men’s team embarked on a trip to…
By Emily Mulcahey Contributing Writer A crowd of over 200 people, screaming for their favorite players, drinking and having a blast watching the excitement of the sport transpire in front of them. At St. Bonaventure University, most would infer that I am talking about a basketball game. No, this is the sight that can…
By Gavin Lindahl Sports Assignment Editor The women’s rugby team is gearing up for another season of hard-fought competition. But according to junior Rachel Noone, the preparations are starting small. “Since we have a game this Saturday, we have had to get right into the basics and teach the rookies the fundamentals of the…
By Zach Waltz Sports Assignment Editor The men’s rugby team has made the transition from Division I-AA to Division I-A after moving to the Rugby East Conference from the Empire Rugby League. Headlined by teams like Penn State, Wheeling Jesuit, Kutztown and Army, the Rugby East Conference is among the best conferences in the nation…
By Taylor Nigrelli Sports Editor For the second time this school year, a men’s rugby player has withdrawn from St. Bonaventure due to complications stemming from concussions suffered while playing the sport. Just a few months after senior Ryan Brennan was forced to leave school, junior Evan Meister followed suit after being diagnosed with cognitive…
By Taylor Nigrelli Sports Editor Ryan Brennan once patrolled the rugby pitch with enthusiasm and tenacity. He gave all-out efforts in practices and prepared as if he were playing a game. According to his teammates, he was a joy to be around. He made sure the mood of the team stayed up beat by entertaining…
The men’s rugby team beat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 43-12 Sunday in New Haven, N.J. Head Coach Clarence Picard said he started five freshmen to get them playing experience. This tactic is new to the Bonnies lineup. “(The freshmen) all had their ups and downs, definitely,” Picard said. “They’re still getting used to the speed…