By Mike Specht
Staff Writer
The men’s rugby team plans to kick off its spring season tomorrow at the South Buffalo Collegiate Rugby Tournament at Father Conway Park. After a fall season that landed the Bonnies a place in the DI-AA USA Rugby National Championship, the team has prepared for what they hope will be a successful spring campaign.
“We have three main goals for our upcoming tournament,” Head Coach Clarence Picard said. “We want to get quality playing time in, so we’re loosened up for upcoming matches, we want to get some film on our team to see what we need to improve on. Lastly, we have the intention of winning this tournament.”
The Bonnies will field two teams for the tournament, a more experienced varsity squad, and the developmental side. The other teams entered in the tournament are Canisius, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Oswego, Buffalo State and SUNY Potsdam. Kickoff is set for 9 a.m.
Like Picard, team President Kevin McCorry said he wants to see the improvements the team has made, as well as their weaknesses.
“We have the intention of wining this tournament, I want to see our strengths and weaknesses as a rugby team exposed,” McCorry said. “This tournament is a nice segue to our ultimate goal of winning a national championship.”
Some members of the team, led by McCorry and sophomore Greg Johnson, will compete against the South Buffalo Rugby Football Club in a Sevens game, as opposed to 15 players per team. A faster-paced version of rugby, the Bonnies are using this match for preparation for the Empire Rugby Conference Sevens Championship April 6 at the University at Buffalo.
The rugby team has been training throughout the offseason. Although not able to practice outside much due to the weather, the Bonnies have been having strength and conditioning sessions, as well as implementing new tactics.
“One thing I’m looking forward to this weekend is seeing our new gameplay for our forwards,”
team MVP John Sullivan said. “They’ll be more dynamic, running out more instead of just butting heads.”
With physical training, the team has implemented a motto to keep them on track for their ultimate goal of a national championship.
“We have a saying on the team called ‘What’s Important Now,’ otherwise known as win,” McCorry said. “In order to win, it’s about doing things like eating right. Everything’s broken down to fragments, and hopefully those little fragments will lead to success for us.”
McCorry and Sullivan said they believe the team has improved this offseason as a whole.
Freshmen Pat Hogan and Pat Hargrove, as well as sophomore Gunnar Brooks, have shown considerable improvement as a result of dedication and commitment.
“Those guys are always in the gym, working hard every day,” McCorry said.
As the Bonnies put months of training to the test this weekend, they’re confident their efforts in the offseason will benefit them as they enter their spring season, headed to nationals.
“I’m really impressed with this offseason,” Sullivan said. “Guys are giving a great effort, focused on our goal, with everyone doing their part.”
