 While Rugby is the newest varsity sport at Jesuit, having had its fist scheduled training session on January 4, 2008, it is one of the oldest variants of "football", predating by several years the American brand (known as Gridiron in many parts of the world) so familiar to all of us. But being the new kid on the block hasn't hindered success, as the team has finished fourth in the state playoffs in both '08, '09! and '11!
The traditional story has it that Rugby began at Rugby School in England in 1823 (hence the name), when William Webb Ellis, a student, in flagrant disregard for the rules of "football" in effect at the time, picked up the ball and ran with it. This bold action put the
laws of "football" into several layers of discussion over the ensuing years until a group of enthusiasts codified the Laws of Rugby Union Football and formed the Rugby Football Union in London in 1871.
Never a "mainstream" sport in the United States, Rugby has nevertheless been played consistently in this country with the New York Rugby Football Club being the oldest club in continuous play, dating from 1929. It is interesting to note that prior to the recent IOC ruling including Rugby Sevens in the 2016 Olympics, Rugby had been an Olympic Sport only twice, in 1920 and 1924. In both of those Olympics the United States came away with the Gold Medal.
Rugby is a game that stays with you for life. It has its own unique culture but is played under the same Laws all over the world. Following the High School and College Years, many players continue at the club level. The social traditions of Rugby are perhaps more developed than other sports; friends made in rugby, no matter where in the world, are kept for a lifetime.
Strake Jesuit fields a Varsity and JV side; matches are scheduled for Freshman Rugby dependent upon level of participation. SJ is a member of the USA Rugby Football Union and competes within Rugby Texas, the youth organization of the Texas Rugby Union.
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COACHES
Mr. Bill Rung
Head Coach
281.431.5997 - email
Mr. Pewter Rice '04
Assistant Coach
713.448.8244 - email
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