The Pittsburg State University Men’s Rugby Club is gearing up for the upcoming 2019 season. They will open the season with a home match against Tulsa Men’s Club on Saturday, Feb. 16.
The Rugby Club currently has 42 members and are in their third year of competition in the D2 Collegiate Gateway Conference. The Rugby Club is also part of the Frontier Rugby Union.
Senior Grant Schultz, club president and construction management major, looks forward to the game, as they have never beaten Tulsa Men’s Club before.
“We play Tulsa Men’s Club on the 16,” Schultz said. “They are very good, and, in our history, we have never beat them. They always make the men’s club national playoffs (and) they are very good. I expect us to play them tough like we always do and push to win the match. Our clubs have a great relationship, so it will be a fun match to watch.”
The club will travel extensively during this spring season, according to Schultz, who looks forward to making the trip to New Orleans towards the end of February.
“We have a big spring planned for the club with lots of travelling,” Schultz said. “What I am looking forward to most is going to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras Tournament. We are also going to Nashville for a seven’s tournament. I am excited to travel and continue helping develop this young group of players.”
Junior Ty Goss, Rugby Club team captain and communication major, is also looks forward to travelling to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras Tournament, which is set for Saturday, Feb. 23.
“We do have a tournament coming up in New Orleans (and) that should be a lot of fun,” Goss said. “It is approaching very fast. We are only going to get about three weeks of practice before it. … It still should be a good time.”
Goss is looking forward to seeing all the club members grow throughout the next season.
“Well, we have a lot of new guys and the spring is more friendly matches, so it is going to be more of a development year going into next season (and) trying to get guys lots of experience and a lot of playing time,” Goss said.
Schultz is awaiting the upcoming season and believes the team has a lot of potential.
“… We have a very young team this year and the future is more than bright,” Schultz said.
For more information, find the club on Facebook at Pittsburg State University Rugby Club or on Twitter at @PittStateRugby.