Friday, July 27, 2012
Collegiate All-American's from Wisconsin
One media source today named their choices for the 2011-2012 Women’s Collegiate All Americans. Two student athletes from Wisconsin made the list: Brittany Houston, a scrumhalf from UW-Milwaukee by way of Vernon and Jane Paar, a center at Navy, by way of Brookfield. Houston's a repeat award winner as well. In addition, Katie Johnson, who played high school rugby in Minnessota and then UW-Milwaukee for a year, also made the team. It's amazing to see UWM making the list multiple times along with varsity teams like West Chester and Norwich, along with big Big 10 schools like Penn St.
It's not far-fetched to imagine seeing some recent WGR graduates being on this list in a few years! Congratulations on a special acheivement.
Prop
Baylee Annis (Norwich); Monika Jackson (West Chester); Lauren Poole (Penn St)
Hooker
Melissa Krug (Univ Minnesota); Jen Sandifer (Navy)
Locks
Kyle Armstrong (Penn St); Molly Kinsella (Stanford); Dot Mittow (Princeton)
Flanker
Christiane Pheil (Penn St); Bean Cline (Humboldt)
No. 8
Katie Johnson (UW Milwaukee); Amelia Villines (Stanford)
Scrumhalf
Elena Cantorna (Penn St); Brittany Houston (UW Milwaukee)
Flyhalf
Sadie Anderson (Penn St); Kimber Rozier (North Carolina)
Center
Bisi Ibrahim (Stanford); Ashley Okonta (Notre Dame); Jane Paar (Navy)
Wing
Joya Clark (Norwich); Shakeela Faulkner (Brown); Margaret Leonard (Penn St)
Fullback
Meya Bizer (St. Mary’s); Megan Bonny (Washington State)
Monday, July 23, 2012
Collegiate Rugby Opportunities
Notre Dame College recently announced they will begin funding a scholarship men's and women's rugby program at the small private college's suburban Cleveland campus. In addition to existing programs like Eastern Illinois, Vassar, and West Chester, the number of new and funded collegiate women's programs continues to grow.
Below is an edited list of some of the collegiate rugby opportunities available to student-atheltes. The list is taken from USA Rugby's website, where more info can be found.
American International College -
A four-year private school college located in Springfield, MA, is offering over $100,000 in scholarships for the men’s and women’s rugby programs. The team is starting this year and is being considered a Varsity B program with full backing from university officials from top to bottom. Prospective players will enjoy use of varsity facilities and trainers, and receive the person-first education a private school can offer. Interested players are encouraged to contact Head Coach Josh Macy through his e-mail (joshua.macy@aic.edu) or blog (coachingchronicle.blogspot.com). While admissions and academic info can be found at www.aic.edu or through a Facebook search of “AIC Rugby.”
Idaho State University - Idaho State offers out of state fee waivers. The tuition at Idaho State for residents is $2200 a semester for those who have their own insurance and $2600 for those who do not have their own insurance. Idaho State is a D2 program in the Utah Rugby Union. The cost to attend ISU without the waiver is $7500 plus per semester. With a waiver you save an estimated $4800 a semester. We are looking for the serious student athlete, who wants to continue their education and rugby career. We are proud of our 85% graduation rate since 1996.
James Madison University - The rugby alumni at James Madison University have recently endowed the Luis de Souza Pinto Memorial Scholarship, to benefit an international rugby player attending James Madison University. JMU rugby alumni are responsible for finding a worthy recipient for the Fall 2008 semester. The initial scholarship is estimated to be $1,000 for the first years tuition. As the endowment grows, additional scholarships with greater monetary values will be awarded. The team expects to award the first scholarship in 2008. Any individual interested in attending JMU and playing rugby is encouraged to apply, regardless of international status.
Kutztown University - The Kutztown University Rugby Club offers financial assistance in the form of rugby scholarships totaling $10,000.00 per year , donated annually by the Kutztown University Alumni. In conjunction with that, Kutztown University offers half and full tuition waivers to international students that score 1250 or more in their SAT. Please read more about the financial awards and the Kutztown University Rugby Club, at http://kutztownrugby.com.
David Bailey Scholarship - A $2,000 scholarship awarded to a rugby player that has completed a minimum of thirty credits and is majoring in Sociology. This scholarship is awarded by the Bailey family in honor of their son, David, who was a four year member of the rugby club.
KU Fallen Brothers Scholarship - The Kutztown rugby alumni awards two $500.00 academic scholarships in memory of David Bailey and 9/11 casualty Robert Devitt Jr.
RP Fitness Scholarships - Two $1,000 awards , will be given to one forward and one back, each semester. This award will be given to a member of the twenty five man travel squad that obtains the highest fitness score in their respective category. The awards are being funded by Kutztown Rugby Alumni, Mr.Jeff Reiss and Mr. Paul Presinzano.
Book Scholarships - Six, $250.00 book awards will be given each semester, to players selected by the coaching staff. This includes incoming freshmen.
Wheeling Jesuit University - Wheeling Jesuit University is dedicated to delivering the best overall scholarship package for each of its students. Rugby scholarships up to $9,000 are available to every Rugby player and are renewable for four years. Students can qualify for additional financial aid based on merit and need. www.wju.edu
Wheeling Jesuit University embraces an international reputation for academic excellence as one of only 28 Jesuit colleges in the United States. The University ranks among the top institutions for providing undergraduate research opportunities and promoting depth of thought and imagination. WJU boasts an outstanding record of nearly 100% acceptance rates into graduate programs and professional certifications and commits itself to local, national and global academic service-learning opportunities.
New England College - (NECRFC) has $100,000 in rugby scholarship monies available for qualified rugby student athletes. NECRFC is located in beautiful Henniker, New Hampshire and is a fully funded college rugby program. NEC believes that these student athletes who choose to play rugby over other sports, and excel at it, should be rewarded for their hard work and dedication to the sport of rugby. They should also be able to receive a high-quality education in the process of playing the sport they love. Please visit our website at www.nec.edu to learn more about our degree programs. For more information contact head coach Jeremy Treece at necrugby@hotmail.com.
Notre Dame College - Notre Dame College is a four-year private catholic institution in the tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame located on 61 beautiful acres 30 minutes from downtown Cleveland in South Euclid OH. We are anxious to award Rugby Scholarships to deserving athletes for the men’s and women’s rugby programs. The team is starting this year and has full backing from the University including the President to build a Rugby Center of Excellence! Prospective players will be coached by an internationally experienced Rugby Coaching staff including an on campus fulltime Rugby Grad Assistant, dedicated Rugby athletic trainers at all practices and matches, have full access to varsity training facilities, a strength and conditioning coach and at a school focused on changing the World One Student at a Time. Athletes interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities are encouraged to contact Brandy Viol NDC Rugby Admission Counselor (bviol@ndc.edu) at 216-373-6481 or 1877-NDC-OHIO or admissions@ndc.edu or Director of Rugby Brian McCue(bmccue@ndc.edu) at 330-697-9582. You can always find us on line at NotreDameCollege.edu
Texas A&M University - After 39 years of prestigious rugby and numerous National Championships and playoff runs, this Division I Collegiate powerhouse now offers partial scholarships for in-state and out-of-state rugby players. Qualifying players from out-of-state may now attend Texas A&M for the in-state tuition rate.
University of Stony Brook - Partial scholarships are available for both Men's and Women's teams.
Dan Yarusso
Email: coach@stonybrookrugby.org
Website: HowlandGrowl.Com
St. Bonaventure University - The rugby alumni at St. Bonaventure University have recently endowed the Robert Peraza Memorial Scholarship, in memory of a Bonaventure player who died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. SBU rugby alumni are responsible for finding a worthy recipient for the Fall 2007 semester. As the endowment grows, additional scholarships with greater monetary values will be awarded. This is a needs-based scholarship; we want to find high school rugby players who normally would not have the opportunity to attend St. Bonaventure University due to financial need. The amount we award is based on how much we can raise but it will be renewable to the same student for 4 years. As the scholarship grows, we will have more flexibility to the amount we award and the number of students we award it to. St. Bonaventure is the first Catholic University in the U.S. to endow a scholarship for rugby players.
For more information:
Contact Paul Fordiani
www.sburfc.com
By phone at 410.837.0908.
West Chester University - The West Chester Rugby Foundation now offers rugby scholarship opportunities to play rugby at West Chester University.
For more information on the foundation and its scholarship opportunities and clinics please contact us at: westchesterrugby@aol.com
The West Chester Rugby Foundation
http://www.wcurugby.com/
Summer Sports Program at Macquarie University in Australia. Michigan State University, in partnership with Macquarie University, offers a unique educational opportunity for college student athletes. This program is arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)
Rugby Study Abroad (http://www.studyabroad-cis.com/rugby.html) - This program provides opportunities for American students to spend one or two semesters studying in Wellington, New Zealand and playing with a local club.
Middle Tennessee State University- MTSU offers the following classes in Rugby: PHED 131001 Beginning Rugby; PHED 131002 Intermediate Rugby; For further information, please contact Anthony Neely, Adjunct Professor, PO Box 96, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN 37132; phone 615-812-1754; aneely@mtsu.edu.
Lindenwood University - Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri is proud to announce that Fall 2011 will be the inaugural season of both the Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams. Both teams will have full support of the University including travel, facilities, equipment and grant opportunities for student athletes.
Lindenwood University is a dynamic four-year liberal arts institution dedicated to excellence in higher education. We offer more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to approximately 15,000 students through values-centered programs that lead to development of the whole person. Our faculty, staff and administration are committed to an integrative liberal arts curriculum that focuses on the talents, interests and future of our students. Lindenwood is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
We are constantly looking for potential students/rugby players who will not only be an asset on the field, but also as members of our student body. As we look towards building both our men and women’s programs, we are constantly looking for young men and women who will assist in making both as strong and successful as possible.
For more information about the University and admissions please contact Kristen Revis, Rugby Recruiter/Admissions Counselor at 636.949.4338 or krevis@lindenwood.edu. Please also check out Lindenwood’s website at www.lindenwood.edu.
- Rugby has grown at Arkansas State to the extent that the school is now able to offer partial scholarships for men and women Rugby players. Qualifying Rugby players from out-of-state may now attend Arkansas State for the in-state tuition rate. A four-year private school college located in Springfield, MA, is offering over $100,000 in scholarships for the men’s and women’s rugby programs. The team is starting this year and is being considered a Varsity B program with full backing from university officials from top to bottom. Prospective players will enjoy use of varsity facilities and trainers, and receive the person-first education a private school can offer. Interested players are encouraged to contact Head Coach Josh Macy through his e-mail (joshua.macy@aic.edu) or blog (coachingchronicle.blogspot.com). While admissions and academic info can be found at www.aic.edu or through a Facebook search of "AIC Rugby."
Arkansas State University - Rugby has grown at Arkansas State to the extent that the school is now able to offer partial scholarships for men and women Rugby players. Qualifying Rugby players from out-of-state may now attend Arkansas State for the in-state tuition rate.
Below is an edited list of some of the collegiate rugby opportunities available to student-atheltes. The list is taken from USA Rugby's website, where more info can be found.
American International College -
A four-year private school college located in Springfield, MA, is offering over $100,000 in scholarships for the men’s and women’s rugby programs. The team is starting this year and is being considered a Varsity B program with full backing from university officials from top to bottom. Prospective players will enjoy use of varsity facilities and trainers, and receive the person-first education a private school can offer. Interested players are encouraged to contact Head Coach Josh Macy through his e-mail (joshua.macy@aic.edu) or blog (coachingchronicle.blogspot.com). While admissions and academic info can be found at www.aic.edu or through a Facebook search of “AIC Rugby.”
Idaho State University - Idaho State offers out of state fee waivers. The tuition at Idaho State for residents is $2200 a semester for those who have their own insurance and $2600 for those who do not have their own insurance. Idaho State is a D2 program in the Utah Rugby Union. The cost to attend ISU without the waiver is $7500 plus per semester. With a waiver you save an estimated $4800 a semester. We are looking for the serious student athlete, who wants to continue their education and rugby career. We are proud of our 85% graduation rate since 1996.
James Madison University - The rugby alumni at James Madison University have recently endowed the Luis de Souza Pinto Memorial Scholarship, to benefit an international rugby player attending James Madison University. JMU rugby alumni are responsible for finding a worthy recipient for the Fall 2008 semester. The initial scholarship is estimated to be $1,000 for the first years tuition. As the endowment grows, additional scholarships with greater monetary values will be awarded. The team expects to award the first scholarship in 2008. Any individual interested in attending JMU and playing rugby is encouraged to apply, regardless of international status.
Kutztown University - The Kutztown University Rugby Club offers financial assistance in the form of rugby scholarships totaling $10,000.00 per year , donated annually by the Kutztown University Alumni. In conjunction with that, Kutztown University offers half and full tuition waivers to international students that score 1250 or more in their SAT. Please read more about the financial awards and the Kutztown University Rugby Club, at http://kutztownrugby.com.
David Bailey Scholarship - A $2,000 scholarship awarded to a rugby player that has completed a minimum of thirty credits and is majoring in Sociology. This scholarship is awarded by the Bailey family in honor of their son, David, who was a four year member of the rugby club.
KU Fallen Brothers Scholarship - The Kutztown rugby alumni awards two $500.00 academic scholarships in memory of David Bailey and 9/11 casualty Robert Devitt Jr.
RP Fitness Scholarships - Two $1,000 awards , will be given to one forward and one back, each semester. This award will be given to a member of the twenty five man travel squad that obtains the highest fitness score in their respective category. The awards are being funded by Kutztown Rugby Alumni, Mr.Jeff Reiss and Mr. Paul Presinzano.
Book Scholarships - Six, $250.00 book awards will be given each semester, to players selected by the coaching staff. This includes incoming freshmen.
Wheeling Jesuit University - Wheeling Jesuit University is dedicated to delivering the best overall scholarship package for each of its students. Rugby scholarships up to $9,000 are available to every Rugby player and are renewable for four years. Students can qualify for additional financial aid based on merit and need. www.wju.edu
Wheeling Jesuit University embraces an international reputation for academic excellence as one of only 28 Jesuit colleges in the United States. The University ranks among the top institutions for providing undergraduate research opportunities and promoting depth of thought and imagination. WJU boasts an outstanding record of nearly 100% acceptance rates into graduate programs and professional certifications and commits itself to local, national and global academic service-learning opportunities.
New England College - (NECRFC) has $100,000 in rugby scholarship monies available for qualified rugby student athletes. NECRFC is located in beautiful Henniker, New Hampshire and is a fully funded college rugby program. NEC believes that these student athletes who choose to play rugby over other sports, and excel at it, should be rewarded for their hard work and dedication to the sport of rugby. They should also be able to receive a high-quality education in the process of playing the sport they love. Please visit our website at www.nec.edu to learn more about our degree programs. For more information contact head coach Jeremy Treece at necrugby@hotmail.com.
Notre Dame College - Notre Dame College is a four-year private catholic institution in the tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame located on 61 beautiful acres 30 minutes from downtown Cleveland in South Euclid OH. We are anxious to award Rugby Scholarships to deserving athletes for the men’s and women’s rugby programs. The team is starting this year and has full backing from the University including the President to build a Rugby Center of Excellence! Prospective players will be coached by an internationally experienced Rugby Coaching staff including an on campus fulltime Rugby Grad Assistant, dedicated Rugby athletic trainers at all practices and matches, have full access to varsity training facilities, a strength and conditioning coach and at a school focused on changing the World One Student at a Time. Athletes interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities are encouraged to contact Brandy Viol NDC Rugby Admission Counselor (bviol@ndc.edu) at 216-373-6481 or 1877-NDC-OHIO or admissions@ndc.edu or Director of Rugby Brian McCue(bmccue@ndc.edu) at 330-697-9582. You can always find us on line at NotreDameCollege.edu
Texas A&M University - After 39 years of prestigious rugby and numerous National Championships and playoff runs, this Division I Collegiate powerhouse now offers partial scholarships for in-state and out-of-state rugby players. Qualifying players from out-of-state may now attend Texas A&M for the in-state tuition rate.
University of Stony Brook - Partial scholarships are available for both Men's and Women's teams.
Dan Yarusso
Email: coach@stonybrookrugby.org
Website: HowlandGrowl.Com
St. Bonaventure University - The rugby alumni at St. Bonaventure University have recently endowed the Robert Peraza Memorial Scholarship, in memory of a Bonaventure player who died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. SBU rugby alumni are responsible for finding a worthy recipient for the Fall 2007 semester. As the endowment grows, additional scholarships with greater monetary values will be awarded. This is a needs-based scholarship; we want to find high school rugby players who normally would not have the opportunity to attend St. Bonaventure University due to financial need. The amount we award is based on how much we can raise but it will be renewable to the same student for 4 years. As the scholarship grows, we will have more flexibility to the amount we award and the number of students we award it to. St. Bonaventure is the first Catholic University in the U.S. to endow a scholarship for rugby players.
For more information:
Contact Paul Fordiani
www.sburfc.com
By phone at 410.837.0908.
West Chester University - The West Chester Rugby Foundation now offers rugby scholarship opportunities to play rugby at West Chester University.
For more information on the foundation and its scholarship opportunities and clinics please contact us at: westchesterrugby@aol.com
The West Chester Rugby Foundation
http://www.wcurugby.com/
Summer Sports Program at Macquarie University in Australia. Michigan State University, in partnership with Macquarie University, offers a unique educational opportunity for college student athletes. This program is arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)
Rugby Study Abroad (http://www.studyabroad-cis.com/rugby.html) - This program provides opportunities for American students to spend one or two semesters studying in Wellington, New Zealand and playing with a local club.
Middle Tennessee State University- MTSU offers the following classes in Rugby: PHED 131001 Beginning Rugby; PHED 131002 Intermediate Rugby; For further information, please contact Anthony Neely, Adjunct Professor, PO Box 96, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN 37132; phone 615-812-1754; aneely@mtsu.edu.
Lindenwood University - Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri is proud to announce that Fall 2011 will be the inaugural season of both the Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams. Both teams will have full support of the University including travel, facilities, equipment and grant opportunities for student athletes.
Lindenwood University is a dynamic four-year liberal arts institution dedicated to excellence in higher education. We offer more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to approximately 15,000 students through values-centered programs that lead to development of the whole person. Our faculty, staff and administration are committed to an integrative liberal arts curriculum that focuses on the talents, interests and future of our students. Lindenwood is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
We are constantly looking for potential students/rugby players who will not only be an asset on the field, but also as members of our student body. As we look towards building both our men and women’s programs, we are constantly looking for young men and women who will assist in making both as strong and successful as possible.
For more information about the University and admissions please contact Kristen Revis, Rugby Recruiter/Admissions Counselor at 636.949.4338 or krevis@lindenwood.edu. Please also check out Lindenwood’s website at www.lindenwood.edu.
- Rugby has grown at Arkansas State to the extent that the school is now able to offer partial scholarships for men and women Rugby players. Qualifying Rugby players from out-of-state may now attend Arkansas State for the in-state tuition rate. A four-year private school college located in Springfield, MA, is offering over $100,000 in scholarships for the men’s and women’s rugby programs. The team is starting this year and is being considered a Varsity B program with full backing from university officials from top to bottom. Prospective players will enjoy use of varsity facilities and trainers, and receive the person-first education a private school can offer. Interested players are encouraged to contact Head Coach Josh Macy through his e-mail (joshua.macy@aic.edu) or blog (coachingchronicle.blogspot.com). While admissions and academic info can be found at www.aic.edu or through a Facebook search of "AIC Rugby."
Arkansas State University - Rugby has grown at Arkansas State to the extent that the school is now able to offer partial scholarships for men and women Rugby players. Qualifying Rugby players from out-of-state may now attend Arkansas State for the in-state tuition rate.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Kettle Moraine Seeks Coach
The Kettle Moraine Knightmares, one of only two teams to ever be crowned state champions, and the second-oldest girls team in state history, is accepting applications for a coach for the upcoming fall season and beyond. One of the league's longest standing coaches, Jeff Noe, is stepping down after the fall conference season. Coach Noe's decade of service is a special accomplishment and we wish him the best.
One to two assistant coaches are sought for this fall season who might be interested in learning not only the coaching side of rugby and the girls league, but also how to manage a strong program. The position offers opportunities for coaching certifications, and travel expenses, in addition to working with a talented core of young athletes. Kettle Moraine finished ranked 4th in the Midwest.
No experience coaching, or coaching rugby is required.
For more information, contact WGR at wisconsingirlsrugby@gmail.com
One to two assistant coaches are sought for this fall season who might be interested in learning not only the coaching side of rugby and the girls league, but also how to manage a strong program. The position offers opportunities for coaching certifications, and travel expenses, in addition to working with a talented core of young athletes. Kettle Moraine finished ranked 4th in the Midwest.
No experience coaching, or coaching rugby is required.
For more information, contact WGR at wisconsingirlsrugby@gmail.com
Monday, July 16, 2012
2012 Fall Conference Season
With about a month until most teams begin fall preparation, WGR is proud to announce the 2012 Conference Alignment, as well as a few conference policy updates. Our sources hope to get an advanced copy of the fall schedule in the coming weeks! There will only be one varsity-level competition in 2012, instead of a division one and a division two bracket. JV matches will continue to be played approximately 15 minutes after the end of the first match, unless otherwise specified.
2012 Fall Conference Alignment
Divine Savior Holy Angels High School
Catholic Memorial High School
Kettle Moraine RFC
Vernon RFC
Brookfield Bruisers RFC
Menomonee Falls RFC
Oak Creek High School
Fond Du Lac RFC
Wauwatosa RFC*
Muskego RFC*
State Championship Tournament will be played the last Sunday of October. To detemine a team's final ranking the following, based on their conference season finish, will play: 1v2,3v4,5v6,7v8,and 9v10.
2012 Conference Rules
-Subsitution Ammendment : In a match where there is 30 point difference at halftime or later, open subs are automatically allowed the rest of the match. This does not apply to playoff matches.
-Weather Cancellation Policy: Due to the uncertainly of predictions, both coaches and the referee must meet at the field to decide on a delay or cancellation if appropriate.
*The 9th and 10th ranked teams will play each team in the conference, but will not compete for the chamionship title. Both teams have until August 20th to declare an intent to compete for the title. This is designed to aid their transition into full competition, as up-and-coming programs.
2012 Fall Conference Alignment
Divine Savior Holy Angels High School
Catholic Memorial High School
Kettle Moraine RFC
Vernon RFC
Brookfield Bruisers RFC
Menomonee Falls RFC
Oak Creek High School
Fond Du Lac RFC
Wauwatosa RFC*
Muskego RFC*
State Championship Tournament will be played the last Sunday of October. To detemine a team's final ranking the following, based on their conference season finish, will play: 1v2,3v4,5v6,7v8,and 9v10.
2012 Conference Rules
-Subsitution Ammendment : In a match where there is 30 point difference at halftime or later, open subs are automatically allowed the rest of the match. This does not apply to playoff matches.
-Weather Cancellation Policy: Due to the uncertainly of predictions, both coaches and the referee must meet at the field to decide on a delay or cancellation if appropriate.
*The 9th and 10th ranked teams will play each team in the conference, but will not compete for the chamionship title. Both teams have until August 20th to declare an intent to compete for the title. This is designed to aid their transition into full competition, as up-and-coming programs.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Wisconsin Rugger and the Olympic Dream
Jane Paar, former Brookfield Bruiser RFC player and Wauwatosa East High School graduate, attended the United States Naval Academy. Playing rugby at the academy, she started since her freshman year and eventually became team president. Her rugby journey continued after that, as she continued to play and compete for a spot on the USA Olympic Sevens team, With hopes of making the Olympic squad to compete in Rio in 2016, everyone in Wisconsin wishes her the best!
The WauwatosaNow published a nice article on Ms. Paar's accomplishment. Follow this link for the full story.
It is amazing to see the success of our alumnae playing on an international stage! It's just one more reason to cheer on our USA Rugby Olympians.
The WauwatosaNow published a nice article on Ms. Paar's accomplishment. Follow this link for the full story.
It is amazing to see the success of our alumnae playing on an international stage! It's just one more reason to cheer on our USA Rugby Olympians.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Title IX Litigation at Kettle Moraine, Oconomowoc, Mukwonagao, Waukesha Districts
According to a federal complaint quoted in the Living Lake Country Reporter on March 5, 2012, "five area school districts facing Title IX complaints fail to 'provide opportunities for girls to play sports in numbers substantially proportionate to their enrollment" (Trovato). The school districts facing Title IX complaints are Kettle Moraine, Oconomowoc, Mukwonago, Waukesha, and Elmbrook.
The article refers to letters from the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to area school superintendants and states directly that "the complainant alleges that the disctrict discriminates against female student athletes at the high school by denying them an equal opportuntiy to participate in interscholastic athletics."
First of all, it's interesting to note that Kettle Moraine offers 12 WIAA boys sports and 11 girl sports. Certainly that's a lot of sports offerings, although at a school of around 1450 students, that sounds fairly typical. The article goes on to note that the Kettle Moraine school district offers "girls lacrosse, alpine ski racing, rugby, and field hockey as club sports, which are not tax-payer funded."
This caught our attention, because to our knowledge it did not appear that the Kettle Moraine Knightmares Girls Rugby team was a school district sport. (While rugby is not currently a WIAA sport, it is offered as a school sport, even a varsity sport at some of the high schools in the area. Lacrosse is in a similar position at some schools).
Some interesting statistics appeared in the complaint, specifically stating that in 2006, 750 or 51 percent of the student body were males, and 725 or 49% were female. The essence of the complaint seems to focus on a disparity in opportunities for enrolled girls to play sports in numbers substantially poroportionate to their enrollment. 775 of the students in 2006 were student-athletes and 63% of these athletes were male, while 37% of student athletes were female. It's also noted that Kettle Moraine added one girls sport to its budget in the last 26 years (girls hockey). Data from 2008 "show a similar situation, though the participation gap had closed slighty"
The article goes on to note that the "complaint chides the district for not offering any kind of program for girls rugby or field hockey." Without getting into the politics surrounding school districts and Title IX, we at the WGR offices found it moving to see an official document enouraging the acceptance of rugby, especially for student athletes and their families, not to mention the hundreds of alumni famlies, who have already accepted rugby at places like Kettle Moraine, Brookfield, and Vernon (Mukwonago).
The article refers to letters from the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to area school superintendants and states directly that "the complainant alleges that the disctrict discriminates against female student athletes at the high school by denying them an equal opportuntiy to participate in interscholastic athletics."
First of all, it's interesting to note that Kettle Moraine offers 12 WIAA boys sports and 11 girl sports. Certainly that's a lot of sports offerings, although at a school of around 1450 students, that sounds fairly typical. The article goes on to note that the Kettle Moraine school district offers "girls lacrosse, alpine ski racing, rugby, and field hockey as club sports, which are not tax-payer funded."
This caught our attention, because to our knowledge it did not appear that the Kettle Moraine Knightmares Girls Rugby team was a school district sport. (While rugby is not currently a WIAA sport, it is offered as a school sport, even a varsity sport at some of the high schools in the area. Lacrosse is in a similar position at some schools).
Some interesting statistics appeared in the complaint, specifically stating that in 2006, 750 or 51 percent of the student body were males, and 725 or 49% were female. The essence of the complaint seems to focus on a disparity in opportunities for enrolled girls to play sports in numbers substantially poroportionate to their enrollment. 775 of the students in 2006 were student-athletes and 63% of these athletes were male, while 37% of student athletes were female. It's also noted that Kettle Moraine added one girls sport to its budget in the last 26 years (girls hockey). Data from 2008 "show a similar situation, though the participation gap had closed slighty"
The article goes on to note that the "complaint chides the district for not offering any kind of program for girls rugby or field hockey." Without getting into the politics surrounding school districts and Title IX, we at the WGR offices found it moving to see an official document enouraging the acceptance of rugby, especially for student athletes and their families, not to mention the hundreds of alumni famlies, who have already accepted rugby at places like Kettle Moraine, Brookfield, and Vernon (Mukwonago).
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Midwesth High School 7's Championship
The Midwest Youth Sevens - July 14th, 2012 - are fast approaching.
High School Club and Single School Rugby Sevens Championships.
When: Saturday, July 14th from 9am to 2pm
Where: Primrose Farm, St. Charles, Illinois
Fee: $150
Invitees: Teams from Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois
Download poster (PDF) at: http://www.iyra.org/
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
A Senior's Story
Kettle Moraine's senior captain, a young lady named Taylor, was recently asked by WGR to try to put into words her rugby experience. Once we received her submission and read it over, we realized that many young rugby players have similar sentiments about their experiences ... the joy in being part of a team trying to accomplish a common goal, while at the same time facing something individually demanding. We're impressed that the lessons she remembers aren't about rugby at all; they're life lessons. It's why coaches come back to coach after a great playing experience; it's why players come back year after year to play for four years of high school, and it's why parents support us players traveling. in some cases even all over the country.
Here's her story, in her words:
"I started playing rugby in the spring of my freshman year of high school. After years of competitive gymnastics, I was looking for a new sport (preferably something team-oriented) to try. The very few things I had heard about rugby made it sound new, unique, and exciting, so naturally I had to find out more. Showing up for my first rugby practice was one of the hardest, most confusing things I had ever gone through. Everyone was talking at the same time, passing strangely-shaped balls back and forth with ease, and saying words I had never heard before in my life. I loved it.
Though the game was both mentally and physically demanding in ways that were much different than what I was used to, I decided to stick with it. I was still intrigued by all of the words and skills, patterns and plays that I had never used before and spent hours at home watching recorded rugby games, texting teammates with questions, and passing a ball to myself or a helpful family member in the back yard. The challenge was fun, but there were two things that kept me coming back: the unmistakable and unparalleled “rugby atmosphere” and the life lessons I brought home with me every week.
Over the course of my seven seasons, rugby taught me more than I can possibly explain. It taught me how to read others and act accordingly, how to adapt quickly to an ever-changing environment, how to put the success of my team before my individual success. The need to bounce back up after every tackle gave me an understanding of mind over matter as the need to take on bigger, stronger, or faster players taught me that the most important part of a person is not what you see, but the passion beneath that surface. Though I didn’t exactly realize it as I was learning them, these lessons will help me off of the field just as much as they have helped me on it.
Perhaps the most important thing I have learned
playing rugby is the real meaning of the word family. DNA hardly matters when
it comes down to it; what’s truly important is who will (both literally and
figuratively) be with you to ruck when you get tackled, call from the sidelines
to help you make good decisions, or continue to cheer you on when nothing seems
to go in your favor. Whether they are the teammates who will literally hold you
up when you’ve spent all your energy doing something you love or the opponents
who will reach down to help you up when you fall hard, these people are your
family.
Though playing high school girls’ rugby started as something fun to do with my afternoons, it quickly became a huge part of my life. In just over three years, rugby has shaped the person I’ve become. I can honestly say I don’t know one high school rugger who regrets playing or who hasn’t changed for the better as she played. I fell in love with this sport seven seasons ago, and I wouldn’t give up those seven seasons for the world."
Though playing high school girls’ rugby started as something fun to do with my afternoons, it quickly became a huge part of my life. In just over three years, rugby has shaped the person I’ve become. I can honestly say I don’t know one high school rugger who regrets playing or who hasn’t changed for the better as she played. I fell in love with this sport seven seasons ago, and I wouldn’t give up those seven seasons for the world."
Thanks for sharing you story and good luck next year in college. In fact, good luck to all our "WGR Alumni" and hopefully we'll see you out there playing college rugby somewhere!
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