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What Delaware is going through should serve as a warning to not only the rest of the college rugby community, but the entire rugby community as a whole. What is more disturbing about this incident is that the party in question was known as a "rugby party." Obviously the players on the team had a reputation before this incident. The reputation may not be deserved from their actions but it could be the perception out there in about the rugby community. The fact that rugby has a strong party hard connotation to it probably added to the severity of the suspension.
All rugby clubs are on that short of a leash. It's going to take years for clubs behaving well to offset years of clubs behaving poorly. Adding to the difficulty of this task is that you still have people who take upon themselves to fulfill rugby stereotypes. It's not helping.
I'm currently reading Loose Head as part of our fall book club. Without giving away the plot I can say that some of the boorish behavior that is often celebrated in the book is the exact same thing that comes back to haunt members of the club. I'm not sure if that is what the author intended, but that's what I've taken out of the book. While the celebrated partying aspect of rugby is fun for many players (by which I mean wild, irresponsible partying, not after match drinks), it is not what is going to advance the sport in this country, it's always going to be the chain on our legs. If rugby wants to be taken seriously players, coaches, and administrators need to take their actions off the pitch more seriously.
There is certainly no harm in having a drink after a match (unless you are a under 21). The social aspect of rugby is phenomenal and not replicated in any other sport. But people need to realize that rugby in this country is inter-connected no matter where or what level you play at. Delaware getting suspended has now put pressure on every other college team across the country. With so much else teams need to worry about--travel schedules, budgets, uniforms, etc.--the last thing they need to worry about is having one player on their team do something stupid that will hurt the whole team.
Fixing the problem is not going to be easy. It's up to individual schools and clubs to take the appropriate steps for their situation. However, there are some common-sense things that all clubs can do. First, at the start of every season and periodically throughout the season, remind players that they need to keenly be aware of when they are associated themselves with the club. For example, if players where their college club polos to a party, they will be associated with the team. There are times when wearing polos can be beneficial, like when the team volunteers.
Second, make sure you obey the law. I know some people will have different opinions on this but underage drinking can lead to serious problems. The human brain doesn't finish developing until into a person's mid-20's. Students aren't often able to make correct judgements on how much they can drink. Problems, such as alcoholism can arise. There are plenty of ways for college teams to have fun without getting drunk.
Third, if you see a teammate with a problem, help. Rugby clubs are families. If you had a brother who struggled with addiction wouldn't you get them help? If someone in your club has an issue, work with them before they harm themselves or others.
I'm not saying that the players on the Delaware team are alcoholics so please don't misinterpret what I'm saying. My point is that the Delaware situation should remind us all that we are in the same fight trying to grow rugby in this country and that the actions of our club can impact another club across the country. If we truly want rugby to grow and more parents to put their kids in youth programs, we need to be on our best behavior. If we are serious about improving our standing in the world and challenging for an Olympic medal, we need the best athletes possible and that doesn't include ones who are too hung over to train.
The quickest way to get rid of that stigma is to start elevating the serious programs to the varsity level. Not only does it properly indicate that these programs are performing at a high level in the sport, but from a behavioral standpoint something that comes with varsity status is that players' bad decisions affect those specific players more than the club as a whole. The main argument for varsity status will always be that a university would never hammer a varsity sport in the same way that Delaware, Utah, and West Point have done to their club programs, but there's also a difference between those playing rugby purely as an extracurricular and players with scholarships on the line.
ReplyDeleteFor many of Delaware's players, not being able to play would be less than optimal but they are still better off staying put and finishing off their degrees. But as a D1-A program they probably have a few players who chose the school for rugby that should look to transfer. Kutztown and Maryland are both solid programs less than two hours away, and Wheeling Jesuit is in the region and should be able to lure in a few players as well with their varsity status. I can understand why Delaware would try to punish the rugby program based on the information they have, but the swiftness and the severity of the punishment is insulting to the sport and to the players in good standing.
A few thoughts come to mind when I read this piece.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, varsity status protects teams from this type of thing, guilty or not, because being varsity means you're part of the administration. Clubs are chartered as student lead and administered and therefore punishable in a way the administration wouldn't punish themselves. This type of relationship allows universities to limit legal and financial liabilities, and all comes out of a university's Risk Management Department.
Second, it seems that any value being on NBC in the CRC has little clout with the administration. Perhaps club programs participating in this tournament need to calibrate the perceived value this means at their respective university.
Lastly, where is USA Rugby to support this club? Taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in CIPP fees from college kids should get them some representation from the national governing body. Nigel? Are you there?
This is probably an over reaction on the part of the University based on prior horror stories or cocktail banter at the administrative level about how horrible rugby parties are.
ReplyDeleteBe very aware that many college administrations barely tolerate rugby. We have always had to toe this line because our sport attracts thrill seeking behavior and props are natural showmen.
With the new scrum rules turning scrums into rugby league-ish non contests this problem will sort itself out in a few years and you can all play sevens with 15 people.
There was a time and a place for ahole props and I filled that need. Now evolution is taking the game away from us and thats fine. Im 50 and jolly now. I really feel sorry for the kids who wont be able to discover this perfect outlet.
This sport civilized alot of shady dudes and society is better for it.
School's love to use rugby to set an example.
ReplyDelete5 years is an absolutely ridiculous ban to impose on any organization and would NEVER happen to a NCAA program PERIOD. Our school's NCAA softball team nearly killed someone with their partying and their season only ended for a semester.
Holding students accountable for their own poor choices is completely acceptable...but 70 athletes, many of whom were nowhere near the party...HOW DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE???
Delaware's administration is setting a precedent for public institutions to follow suit in continuing their bullying tactics. Universities have a twisted loop-hole in the law in that they can dole out punishments from allegations without supporting evidence, without notice or regard for the 6th Amendment (the right of the accused to confront their accusers), and without any repercussions. A lawyer once told me that students, "have more rights as murderers in this country than they do as students when it comes to the University system."
Sickening.