Fairfield University Men's Rugby Football Club
Encyclopedia
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.
. The club has grown considerably over the past 10 years, and now includes over 50 students.
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.
The Red Ruggers successfully concluded the Fall 2008 season with a 8 - 1 record winning the MET NY RFU Division 2 Title and advancing to the Northeast RFU Division 2 Semifinals. During the Spring 2008 season, the Red Ruggers split two matches with the Bahamian National Team on the '08 Spring Break Rugby Tour in Nassau, Bahamas
and participated in the prestigious Beast Of The East Tournament in Providence, Rhode Island
. The rugby club just lost their longtime moderator Paul I Davis (PID)
who was a key figure in rugby club history (1930–2008) rest in peace PID
Former Red Ruggers Paul Sheehy
'81 competed for the USA Eagles at the 1991 Rugby World Cup
and Will Brazier
'05 competed for the USA Tomahawks at the 2004 Liberty Bell Cup.
, it captures the late Dr. Davis' historical knowledge and perspective of the rugby club. The interviewees include former players and longtime club supporters Mark Feeley, Chris Grauert, Tom Connor and Kurt Schlicting
. The interview was conducted at Alumni House on the campus of Fairfield University
on October 24, 2008.
| valign="top" |
|}
Fairfield University
Fairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...
in Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
. 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
Metropolitan New York Rugby Union
The Metropolitan New York Rugby Football Union governs more than 80 men's and women's clubs, college, high-school, and youth rugby union teams in the Greater New York metropolitan area, which covers parts of the states of Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. It is a member union of USA Rugby and...
which is governed by the Northeast Rugby Union
Northeast Rugby Union
The Northeast Rugby Union is the Territorial Area Union for rugby union teams playing in the Northeastern United States . It is one of seven TAU's that govern specific regions of USA Rugby.-LAU's:...
of USA Rugby
USA Rugby
USA Rugby is the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in the United States. It is divided into seven territorial Unions: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, Pacific Coast, Southern California, South, and West...
. The Coach of the Red Ruggers is Matt Leonard.
History
The FURFC celebrated it's 45th Anniversary in 2008. The FURFC was established in 1963 and is the longest continuously running sport club at Fairfield UniversityFairfield University
Fairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...
. The club has grown considerably over the past 10 years, and now includes over 50 students.
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.
The Red Ruggers successfully concluded the Fall 2008 season with a 8 - 1 record winning the MET NY RFU Division 2 Title and advancing to the Northeast RFU Division 2 Semifinals. During the Spring 2008 season, the Red Ruggers split two matches with the Bahamian National Team on the '08 Spring Break Rugby Tour in Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 248,948 , 70 percent of the entire population of The Bahamas...
and participated in the prestigious Beast Of The East Tournament in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. The rugby club just lost their longtime moderator Paul I Davis (PID)
who was a key figure in rugby club history (1930–2008) rest in peace PID
Former Red Ruggers Paul Sheehy
Paul Sheehy
Paul Sheehy was an American rugby player for the USA Eagles at the 1991 Rugby World Cup.Sheehy also played for the Washington Rugby Football Club from 1991 to 1993 and is now a member of the Washington Rugby Football Club Hall of Fame His position of choice was fullback.Sheehy was a four year...
'81 competed for the USA Eagles at the 1991 Rugby World Cup
1991 Rugby World Cup
The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the...
and Will Brazier
Will Brazier
Will Brazier is an American rugby league footballer who plays for the United States national rugby league team, USA Falcons, Old Blue Rugby Football Club in the Rugby Super League and the Connecticut Wildcats in the American National Rugby League...
'05 competed for the USA Tomahawks at the 2004 Liberty Bell Cup.
Paul I Davis Oral History
The following conversation with longtime club supporter and moderator Dr. Paul I. Davis occurred on the eve of the 45th anniversary of the Fairfield University Rugby Club. An oral historyOral history
Oral history is the collection and study of historical information about individuals, families, important events, or everyday life using audiotapes, videotapes, or transcriptions of planned interviews...
, it captures the late Dr. Davis' historical knowledge and perspective of the rugby club. The interviewees include former players and longtime club supporters Mark Feeley, Chris Grauert, Tom Connor and Kurt Schlicting
Kurt C. Schlichting
Dr. Kurt C. Schlichting is the E. Gerald Corrigan Endowed Chair in the Humanities and Social Sciences and professor of sociology and anthropology at Fairfield University in the United States. He was a recipient of a Fairfield University Distinguished Faculty/Administrator Award in 2003.Dr...
. The interview was conducted at Alumni House on the campus of Fairfield University
Fairfield University
Fairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...
on October 24, 2008.
- Paul I. Davis Interview Part 1 of 6
- Paul I. Davis Interview Part 2 of 6
- Paul I. Davis Interview Part 3 of 6
- Paul I. Davis Interview Part 4 of 6
- Paul I. Davis Interview Part 5 of 6
- Paul I. Davis Interview Part 6 of 6
Rugby Union Playoffs
- Northeast RFU Division 2 Quarterfinals - 2007
- Northeast RFU Division 2 Semifinals - 2008
| valign="top" |
All-American
- Brad Troup '03Brad TroupBrad Troup was a South African rugby league footballer who played for the Connecticut Wildcats in the American National Rugby League. His position of choice was winger.-College Rugby:...
(HM, 2003) - Will Brazier '05Will BrazierWill Brazier is an American rugby league footballer who plays for the United States national rugby league team, USA Falcons, Old Blue Rugby Football Club in the Rugby Super League and the Connecticut Wildcats in the American National Rugby League...
(HM, 2005)
Northeast Collegiate All-Star
- Brad Troup '03Brad TroupBrad Troup was a South African rugby league footballer who played for the Connecticut Wildcats in the American National Rugby League. His position of choice was winger.-College Rugby:...
(2002, 2003) - Will Brazier '05Will BrazierWill Brazier is an American rugby league footballer who plays for the United States national rugby league team, USA Falcons, Old Blue Rugby Football Club in the Rugby Super League and the Connecticut Wildcats in the American National Rugby League...
(2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)
|}
Rugby Pitch
The home Rugby Pitch of the Red Ruggers is the Lt. Hans Grauert Memorial Field. Dr. Christopher Grauert, '68 and his mother, Leila B. Grauert, donated the Rugby Pitch to Fairfield in 2003 in honor of his brother 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 mother 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!"Hall of Fame
- Paul Davis - longtime club supporter/moderator since 1963 and professor emeritus of History
- Christopher Galvin '72 - two-time team MVP who served as team captain and player-coach from 1971 to 1972
Notable alumni
- Will Brazier '05Will BrazierWill Brazier is an American rugby league footballer who plays for the United States national rugby league team, USA Falcons, Old Blue Rugby Football Club in the Rugby Super League and the Connecticut Wildcats in the American National Rugby League...
- plays for the USA TomahawksUnited States national rugby league team-2008 & 2013 Rugby League World Cup Qualifying:In October 2006, The Tomahawks were to participate in a four team Atlantic qualifying pool for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, but South Africa and the West Indies withdrew. As a result, The Atlantic qualifying pool was reduced to a single game...
, USA FalconsUSA FalconsThe USA Falcons are one of two national representative rugby union teams from the United States that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:...
, Connecticut WildcatsConnecticut WildcatsThe Connecticut Wildcats are an American semi-professional rugby league football team based in Norwalk, Connecticut. They currently compete in the American National Rugby League ....
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
- Paul SheehyPaul SheehyPaul Sheehy was an American rugby player for the USA Eagles at the 1991 Rugby World Cup.Sheehy also played for the Washington Rugby Football Club from 1991 to 1993 and is now a member of the Washington Rugby Football Club Hall of Fame His position of choice was fullback.Sheehy was a four year...
- played for the USA EaglesUnited States national rugby union teamUSA Rugby's men's national rugby union team, nicknamed the Eagles, represents the United States in the sport of rugby union. The Eagles are currently ranked 17th by the IRB World Rankings. Their highest ranking was from November 2, 2006 – September 10, 2007 at the 14th position...
at the 1991 Rugby World Cup1991 Rugby World CupThe 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the...
; member of the Washington Rugby Football Club Hall of FameWashington Rugby Football ClubWashington Rugby Football Club is a Division I rugby union team based in Washington, DC.-Past Eagles:Bill Bernhard 1987, FullbackRob Blackmore 1988, 1989, PropRobinson Bordley 1975, 1977–1978, FlyhalfMike Conroy 1977, Center... - Brad Troup '03Brad TroupBrad Troup was a South African rugby league footballer who played for the Connecticut Wildcats in the American National Rugby League. His position of choice was winger.-College Rugby:...
- played for the Connecticut WildcatsConnecticut WildcatsThe Connecticut Wildcats are an American semi-professional rugby league football team based in Norwalk, Connecticut. They currently compete in the American National Rugby League ....