Rugby is once again getting the runaround at St. John's. It was being considered as a club sport, yet someone felt "roller hockey" was somehow more appropriate! Can you believe it? Rugby is a sport with history going back to 1823! A sport where the USA were the Gold Medal winners in 1920 and 1924 during the last two Olympics where rugby was actually aa part of the games! A sport that is so popular that it is commonly part of most high school club sports now! A sport that promotes camaraderie and good sportsmanship!

In my opinion, SJU is being shortsighted. The sport has experienced a wave of professionalism and atheticism during the 1990's and during this decade. The alumni from the 1970's, 1980's and the early 1990's are not getting any younger. There is a definite gap in the alumni rugby support that will be available as no one played for SJU since 1992 or so! The university is doing all of the students a huge dis-service. The sport was established at SJU as early as 1934 and has a rich tradition. Many students from SJU interested in rugby are now playing for local men's clubs in the area when instead they could be continuing with a long and proud tradition and play for a true SJU team! Can you honestly tell me that "Roller Hockey" is a more fitting sport to represent SJU? Sure, it's fun to play - but it is a sport without tradition, longevity or honors. It teaches nothing to the athletes about good sportsmanship, honor, tradition. Rugby does not create character, it reveals it!

If you want to get Rugby back on SJU's campus, then we as Alumni must vote with our resolve and our wallets. Do not buy those season tickets for basketball. Do not pledge money to the Loughlin Society or it's Trustees circle. Do not buy those Basketball tickets for the annual SJU rugby alumni event in January...this year we can stay at the Pub instead - or just go to Stout! Do not send money to pledge drives from SJU. If you receive a letter asking why you stopped support, mail it back to SJU stapled to a printout of our home page! Send them some not-so-subtle messages! The time to speak softly has passed.

So contact SJU and make your voice heard. Although rugby now would fall under the governance of Student Life and not "Athletics", any buzz is good buzz. If you send anything at all, please concentrate on Bill Gavin, Fr. Maher and of course, Fr. Harrington.

Here are some important e-mail addresses:

Director of Student Life:Fr. James J. Maher
Director Recreation & Sports: William Gavin
President: Fr. Donald J. Harrington
Alumni Relations Director:Brian Mahoney
Athletic Director: Chris Monasch
Assistant AD: Kathy Meehan


Thanks in advance. Let's get rugby football back at SJU, Go Johnnies!