After a two-month layoff from competition, both the men’s and women’s club rugby squads met their alumni counterparts on Saturday. Two games produced two different outcomes, as the men beat their seniors and the women received a thumping from the alums.
Riverfront Park hosted the afternoon contests, which featured off-and-on showers and the characteristically rough-cut grass by the footbridge. The conditions were crystal clear in the memories of the alumni. And the game itself is a tradition that has spanned almost the life of the program.
“A lot of our (current) guys don’t realize how cool this game is until they graduate and get to come and play in it as an alum,” senior David Hoffenberg, club coordinator, said.
The men held court over a ragtag bunch of alums who ranged in age from mid twenties to late forties. Disassociating uniforms contributed to the “feel good” aspect of play. The men collected 95 percent attendance among current players, with a wide variety of alums. When it came time to play, the squad was happy to dust off the cleats after a break.
“It was just a ton of fun to get back out there after two months of a break,” sophomore Brian Maxson said.
Although all in attendance were unconcerned with keeping an official score, several reports credit the current team with a 45-35 win. Due in part to familiarity with one another, the current men’s team embraced the contest with lighthearted demeanors and appreciation for their alumni opponents.
Alumni came from as far away as Minnesota specifically to play in the game. Their representation means more to the Ducks than just one good game. This last season, alumni and parent donations accounted for $20,000 in donations for the team. This money bridged the gap between team dues and what club funding offered the rugby program as a whole.
The women experienced a familiar outcome against their alumni, a convincing loss and a shutout. The result reflects a friendly game, but also a group of veterans which never departed from playing rugby, even after they left the University.
The makeup of the women’s squad that came back, however, differed drastically from that of the men.
“They beat us every year,” club coordinator Megan Adams said. “The oldest player they had was twenty-seven, and half the players just graduated last year.”
The women played full tackle rugby, but with some modifications. Eighteen players per side (instead of the usual 15) made for a slightly more crowded pitch. For the returning veterans, uniforms became a mechanism of creativity more than a unified identity. Old rugby jerseys, soccer attire and even a singlet made appearances against coach Duffin McShane’s current squad.
McShane acted as head official for the contests, mixing in with players he formerly coached and players he coaches today. From as far away as Hawaii, veterans came to play against former teammates and new faces on the current squad.
“Some come back every year,” Adams recalled. “It’s fun to see the people I haven’t seen since we played together, and I can’t wait to play in the alumni game when I graduate.”
After play concluded, both teams shared in a barbecue to relax and have an extended chat between new and old players. The games as a whole represented a legacy that Oregon rugby upholds — legacy of support, camaraderie, and passion for the game that transcends age.
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