 "Photo: Ron Besser")
Two years ago, the University of West Florida men’s rugby club had just finished their season at 0-11.
To say the very least, spirits were at an all-time low. Most students were not even aware the school had a rugby club.
“I remember our first and only score that season. The team went nuts, and I just shook my head,” current club president Michael Parlato said. “I was like ‘Guys, act like you’ve been here before.’ The truth was, they hadn’t.”
Flash forward to 2010. Due to new leadership, a few seasoned veterans and a host of energetic young rookies, the rugby club has done a 180 from the dark days of 2008.
On Saturday, Feb. 13, the Argonauts defeated Spring Hill College 22-14 to clinch the No. 1 playoff seed in the Deep South rugby league. On March 13 they will travel to the first round of the playoffs in New Orleans, a first for most of the players.
This weekend, veterans Kristopher Stadler, Alexander Bartlett and Dale Russell each scored a try (worth five points) to lead the way for the Argonauts. Miles Bertling converted two extra point kicks and chipped in a penalty kick for a total of seven points.
“If someone had told me two years ago that we would be traveling to the 2010 Conference Championship Tournament, I probably would have laughed in their face,” Parlato said. “I mean, we had not won a single game that season.”
This season began with a 10-10 tie with Spring Hill, but the Argonauts bounced back with two consecutive road wins. In two weeks, they will host the University of Southern Mississippi at home to conclude their regular season.
This year, the club has made an effort to increase community involvement. The National Guard co-sponsored the first ever rugby club Omega Bowl on Jan. 30. Also in attendance were the children from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, to whom the veterans taught the basics of rugby.
The rugby club looks not only to win games but also to win the hearts and minds of students and the local community. In addition, the rugby team looks to raise awareness of the sport in anticipation of its return to the next Summer Olympics.
“Obviously, the school lacks the excitement that comes with having a football team,” Parlato concluded. “We hope to spark interest in rugby among our fellow students with our first-ever undefeated regular season to fill that void.”
The team encourages all students and staff to attend the home game on February 27. The Argonauts play on the intramural field. Entrance is free and so is the food.
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