Ben Martindale, Sports Editor
A small but rowdy crowd of rugby fans gathered at the University of Richmond intramural field to watch VCU men’s rugby club face their cross-town rival the University of Richmond on Oct. 23, for the teams’ annual Capital Cup match.
The Rams took the field as an underdog vs. the Spiders, ranked No. 10 in the Division 3 National Collegiate Rugby coaches poll at the time of the match.
VCU matched Richmond’s energy early as the two teams collided at midfield in a bid for possession of the ball.
For those who have never watched a rugby match, calling it a contact sport only partially describes the sheer physicality of the spectacle taking place. Players from opposing teams hurtle towards each other at top speed in an attempt to either tackle or clear a path for the ball carrier, frequently causing jarring head-on collisions.
As a result, some players compete each week while still actively recovering from injuries sustained in previous matches. For many of the players, including second-year student Lucas Kelly, toughness is in the blood.
“Rugby really started with me because my mom played back when she was in college,” Kelly said. “She said it built a really good community around her. She won states multiple times so I thought you know what, let’s give it a shot.”
Giving rugby a shot paid off for Kelly, who appreciates not only the chance to play the sport he loves, but also the opportunity to be a part of a tight knit group of friends.
The bonds the teammates share were put to the test as Richmond built on an early lead which rapidly snowballed into a dominant performance. At one point the Spiders led the Rams 38-8 before eventually closing the show with a 45-20 victory to secure bragging rights and win the Capital Cup.
After the loss, instead of expressing frustration or trading blame, the VCU rugby club came together to support each other, forming a group huddle where they consoled players who were visibly upset. The reason for that emotion was not because of a loss on the field, but something far more important, fifth-year student Nico Lobo Meier said.
“I mean, we’re a family,” Lobo Meier said. “I was crying because it’s how much it means to me to play rugby at VCU. You’re only in college for four years. I’ve been lucky enough to take a fifth and play rugby with these guys. It’s like coach Carl always says, it’s more than a sport.”
Fourth-year student Patrick Heshen joined the rugby club as a first-year, growing as a person and player alongside the friends he has made. For Heshen, rugby not only provides him with a sport to play and friends to play it with, but an outlet for the energy that led him to the wrestling mats in high school.
“In high school I ended up wrestling,” Heshen said. “I really loved that sport because it gave me a place to express this sort of energy healthily. I came to college kind of missing it, and I was missing the brotherhood that I’ve had with my teammates.”
Heshen also said that despite being nervous at first, the team quickly embraced him.
“I realized right as I stepped on the field with everyone, that everyone is super open and kind,” Heshen said. “They kind of understand that they were scared too, going to their first one.”
After winning just one game last year, VCU rugby club improved their record to four wins and five losses this season. Throughout the year, the group poured their energy into a young core group of players that hope to continue building on what the graduating players started.
Fourth-year student Kamil Qadri, who competed despite having a sprained ankle he’d sustained earlier in the season, spoke to the growth he’s seen in his time with the club.
“It means a lot more than just throwing a ball around on the weekend,” Qadri said. “This sport has deep roots and it will always have a place in our hearts. This season was the best at VCU, and this was coach Joe’s fifth season, and it was his best season.”
Qadri encouraged other VCU students to come be a part of the rugby club as well, with the only requirement being that players are enrolled at VCU.
“We’re also a social club,” Qadri said. “We have events pretty often throughout the semester, so just come out and see what the sport’s about.”
One of those social events took place the following weekend in the form of a Halloween party. Qadri, who had now swapped his VCU rugby uniform for a black robe and vampire fangs, happily made introductions as other members of the team approached in greeting.
The friendship and camaraderie of the group was on full display, and a far cry from the violence exhibited on the field. Fourth-year student Nicolas Blankenship said that the team’s encouraging attitude was a major reason why, as someone with an athletic background based in dance and ballet, he had been able to transition to a contact sport like rugby.
“I wasn’t great at first, obviously,” Blankenship said. “It was a big learning curve but the guys were all very accepting of me.”
For the soon to be graduates, leaving behind the rugby club will mark the end of a special chapter, but they can rest easy knowing the club that has meant so much to them is in good hands. At least if young prospects first-year student Redding Williams and second-year students Sam Cassolini and Kelly have anything to say about it.
“Continuing that VCU rugby legacy was really important to me,” Kelly said. “I love that s***.”