The Old Methodist Rugby Football Club (RFC), also known as men’s rugby, has quite a tradition at Wesleyan. The name originated with the squads from the seventies. After going by the more traditional moniker, the team resurrected the name Old Methodist last spring, reviving it after 30 years of slumber. The men’s rugby team is one of Wesleyan’s few club sports. The difference between club sports and varsity athletics is that club sports do not have paid coaches, do not receive funds from the athletic budget, and practice less frequently because they are not guaranteed space or time.
The team currently holds an impressive 3-1 record, with a 16-13 win over Framingham this past Saturday and two other victories over Springfield College and Western Connecticut State University. The only loss for the Old Methodists came against Central Connecticut State University, which is classified as a Division II team and had advanced into the Sweet Sixteen of last year’s national tournament.
The team is now looking forward to the Beast of the East tournament in Rhode Island. The team has a lot of depth and leadership with their 21 seniors.
“I am very confident about the Beast of the East tournament this weekend. We have a great side, with a lot of senior experience and depth off the bench. This tournament is the biggest collegiate tourney in the Eastern United States,” said Dave Delcourt ’05, “ Last year we played in a hail storm and the tournament was cancelled.”
“I feel comfortable saying that at certain times this season we have played the best rugby ever played by a Wesleyan team, there’s that much talent, skill, and heart on this squad. I feel our prospects for this year’s Beast of the East tournament in RI are quite favorable,” said Ohbi Hazarika ’04.
The officers for the men’s rugby team includes Hazarika as president and co-captain, Delcourt co-captain, Seth Katz ’04 spiritual captain, Josh Pelletier ’04 social chair, Teek Tthaker ’05 treasurer.
The roster also includes Bryan Byusa ’04, Bobby Fischer ’04, Adam Barton ’04, Dave Whiting ’04, Alex Tuchman ’04, Brooke Lloyd ’04, Brad Wasik ’04, Will Gilmore ’04, Ryan Lewis, ’04, Rich Enzi, ’04, Glen Lenihan, ’04, Aaron Burley, ’04, Mark Nordstrom ’04, Tacuma Bradley ’04, David Stone ’04, Wally Hachil ’04, Zach Lampell ’04, Ben Brown ’05, Tom Facelle ’05, Lee Jacobson ’05, Vinny Benevento ’05, Will Conkling ’05 Anil Fernando ’05, Moody Jameson ’05, Murdo McGrath ’05, Jack Robinson ’05, Julian Villar ’05, Alex Okrent ’05, Ed O’Brien ’05, Craig Thomas ’06 , Sam Coe ’06, Adam Rosenfeld ’06, Nick Viavant ’06, Nick During ’06, Joe McElligott ’06, Luis Gutierrez ’07, Scott Knauert ’07.
The next home match for the Old Methodists is Saturday, April 24, against Trinity College at 4:15 p.m. on Fauver field. It is the last home match for these boys this season.
“Come on out! Spend a nice day outside! Learn a thing or two about rugby, the gentleman’s game played by animals,” Hazarika said, “ We tried to get a game with Williams but they’re too sissy to play us after we crushed them last spring. It was beautiful.”
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