Change in the Game


Over this next season, Idaho State University's Rugby team will be changing from the Utah Rugby Union to the Pacific North West Rugby Football Union. Not only is this union more structurally organized and reputable, but the opportunity might also be the chance Idaho State University rugby has been waiting for, in order to be seen as relevant and good in the nation's eyes. This potential in popularity could open up many new doors for the team, as well as ISU.

However, this also comes at a price. By switching to the Pacific North West Rugby Football Union the team would be traveling even further distances in order to compete against their opponents. Since the majority of the funds for travel comes out of the pocket of the teammates this poses a threat for players, putting even more stress on the team.

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Idaho State University's Mens Rugby

Idaho State University Men's Rugby Club first began in 1981 competing against many of the same teams that are in the conference today. This includes Brigham Young University, Utah State University, and the University of Utah, along with schools in Montana, Washington, and Oregon. However, shortly after the season the club folded.

In 1996, the club was reinstated and became a member of the Inland Pacific Collegiate Conference, a conference that has been around for over 30 years. Even though ISU only had two players with any rugby experience, they never backed down from a game. They developed pride allowing them to gain knowledge and experience for the game, which the team accredits to why they are so good today.

In 1999, the team competed against various colleges such as The Air Force Academy, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Colorado, among others. ISU completed their season with an impressive 8-4-1, but unfortunately lost fourteen of their starters. This forced them to rebuild their team and switch from a Division 1 to a Division 2, increasing their odds of making the playoffs.

By 2003, after placing second in a tournament against Oregon, the team's dream of making the playoffs finally came true. They placed third in the region, going 1-1 in the playoffs and barley missing the opportunity of going to the Elite 8. But then in 2005, the team finally competed in the United States of America Rugby Football Union Elite 8, finishing an impressive seventh in the nation for Division 2.

The team's true colors didn't come out, however, until the 2010-2011 season. The team ended with an amazing 16-3-1 year, but unfortunately lost the Utah Rugby Union Division II collegiate conference championship. The team learned a lot from this past season and with the experience and knowledge gained, have the hopes of finally bringing home a national championship to Idaho State University.