The Tufts men's rugby team proved its status as one of the top Division III squads in the nation with a successful postseason run in November that capped off an undefeated season.
After winning all six of its regular season games, the team went 2-0 in both postseason tournaments in which it competed, the New England Rugby Championships and the Northeastern Regional Nationals held in New York.
In Albany, New York on Nov. 11-12, the team faced Mont Claire (NJ) and Wentworth, and had no trouble disposing of both teams, winning 29-0 and 22-7, respectively. With the victory, the men claimed the title of best Division III team in the Northeast.
"This was a huge tournament," senior captain Brent Van Haren said. Many Division I and Division II schools, such as Army, Yale and Dartmouth, were present, although Tufts was only eligible to play Division III opponents.
"We have some of the most skilled backs and would have had no problem competing with Yale," Van Haren added.
Player-coach senior Mike Abanto, a former professional in Europe prior to playing for Tufts, was named the Most Valuable Player, while graduate student Sean Dibartolo was named Most Valuable Forward.
Prior to the Northeast Regionals, the team played in the New England Championships at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston on Nov. 4. After defeating Wentworth, the men met their match with rival UMass-Lowell, an opponent that has proved to be troublesome in the past. While Tufts did not trail at any point in its other postseason games, UMass-Lowell went ahead early on, before losing 19-7.
"Lowell was huge and they beat up upon us but we were able to come through with the win," Van Haren said.
Several experienced players helped lead the team to one of its most successful seasons to date. Co-captains senior Rich Nightingale and Van Haren, along with Abanto, were among the team's top players. Superior play was also contributed by senior Ryo Jepson and junior Justin Reid, while senior Olann Kerrison, the scrumhalf, was impressive in his role as the playmaker. New additions Mike Rodopolous and Aubrey Duffey, along with other freshmen, brought strong support to the already solid team.
This season's competition for the experienced group was mediocre and, due to lack of funding for a full-time coach and equipment expenses, Tufts remains in Division III despite being asked to move up.
"[Other Division III teams] were alright, but we just shouldn't be in Division III," Van Haren said. "We could've beat anyone [at Northeast Regionals] but the larger, more organized Army team."
The confident Van Haren also insists that the men's rugby team is "the best looking team on campus."
The team's budget is about six times larger than what Tufts provides. "We wish we could get more money for a full-time coach," said Van Haren. "As it is, now our budget is $12,000, but we only receive $2,000 from the University. It's bothersome because the lack of money prevents us from moving up."
Another provision of club sports status stipulates that the team is only allowed to formally compete during one season. In the offseason, however, the team continues to train.
"We play rugby seven's which is a smaller, quicker, higher scoring version of the game," says Van Haren. "It is like what indoor soccer is to outdoor soccer."
As it is now, the team, like most club sports, remains underfunded. But its status has not been a damper to success, just another obstacle to surpass.
