Rugby: The unknown brotherhood
by Scott Voelker
There is a secret fraternity on the Washington and Lee campus--a brotherhood that many have heard of, but few truly know anything about. They have time-honored traditions and a unique form of “new member education.” They throw keg parties, but only the members themselves are able to attend. And they gather clandestinely on the outskirts of Lexington for several hours each week to devote themselves to the activity that binds them together: rugby.
And it’s not only the casual observer who sees the squad as more of a
brotherhood than a sports team. According to Washington and Lee junior
Tucker Lafitte, a member of the W&L Screaming Minks rugby team, it’s the
companionship among the players that makes the sport what it is.
“I play rugby because of the camaraderie that exists between everyone
who knows and loves the game,” he said.
For example, while opposing teams play hard on the field, it's tradition
just about everywhere in the world for both sides to party together
after games--gatherings that include imbibing, singing songs, and talking
about past and upcoming games.
Maybe it’s the traditions. According to junior Pat McGlone, another W&L
Screaming Mink, the chants and extracurricular activities that surround
rugby are as integral to the game as the goalposts themselves. On the
field, someone’s first score is greeted with a certain chant. Later,
that player is forced to perform his Zulu--an activity that, according
to McGlone, often involves streaking a neighboring party.
Maybe it’s the fear. McGlone admits that there’s still an amount of fear
inside every rugby player because of the potential for serious injury.
Rugby is an intense sport with all the contact of football, and none of
the padding. McGlone himself has seen several players taken off the
field on stretchers and recognizes the fear and respect that all the
players share for the game and one another.
And maybe it’s the isolation. In America, few people know or follow
rugby, so those who do have something to share with select
company.
Whatever the reason, rugby players both at W&L and around the world
share a unique bond both on the field and off, a bond that unites
players not only on their own teams, but with opponents as well.
Listen: W&L Screaming Mink Pat McGlone talks about the camaraderie between opponents on the rugby field.
Listen:
McGlone talks about this year's
team and the plans for the future of W&L rugby.
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Claudette Artwick
Reporting supervisor: Prof. Doug Cumming
Editing supervisor: Prof. Pamela Luecke
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd