Back-to-back state championships, a regional title and an unblemished record so far in 2007-08 are not enough to satisfy Jon Milgrom '08 and the Hamilton College Exiles.
"Our goal is to prove that we are the best team in Division III rugby," says co-captain Milgrom.
They'll have their chance.
Hamilton Rugby -- the National Rugby Union Collegiate Division III Eastern Regional champions by way of a 29-7 win over William Paterson University on Nov. 10, 2007 -- has earned a bid to the Division III Final Four, hosted by Hamilton at Minor Field on Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27. Hamilton plays Plymouth State University on Saturday at 11 a.m., while Widener University and Furman University compete at 1 p.m. The winners meet Sunday at 1 p.m. for the national championship.
Though the Exiles are close to reaching the national peak on April 27, the team comes from quite humble roots: In 2004, when the current seniors were freshmen on a squad of about 18, the team did not win a game. "We've built this program over the past four to five years," says Milgrom, rather modestly.
The team now has a roster of around 60 players.
"These guys really work hard," says Brad Jones, head coach of the Exiles and himself a former player as a student at Boston College. "We have 35 guys at every practice. Last [season], it was more like 17 or 18. Guys who've played all kinds of sports -- soccer, football, all games -- show up. Some guys played rugby in high school, some have grown up with it, but mostly, they just recruit freshmen."
"And we have a strong freshman and sophomore class," says Milgrom.
Not that they need them all just yet. The A-side team -- made up of USA Rugby-registered players and the ones truly competing for a national title -- is comprised of mostly juniors and seniors and has surrendered only 10 points in as many games this past fall, including eight shutouts.
Rugby has become a popular club sport at Hamilton for not only men but also women -- who have a team of their own. Combined, 90 students (30 women) play on the rugby club teams at the College. The number of interested people is much higher though, as rugby games on campus easily draw the largest crowds among club sports.
"We would love to win the national championship in front of our home crowd," says Milgrom.
"When I graduate, I hope to leave behind an era of prestige for Hamilton rugby and a foundation for the program to continue growing and getting stronger.
"With a lot of hard work and dedication from many different individuals, we -- in my four years here -- have established a hierarchy of dedication, hard work and discipline that has enabled us to go [undefeated this fall], ultimately resulting in our hosting of the Final Four."
This marks the second year in a row that Hamilton has competed in the regional title game, having lost last fall to Bentley College, the eventual Division III national champion. This time around, as regional champs themselves, Milgrom and his team hope to win the title and blaze a trail for years to come.
"I hope future generations of Hamilton rugby can continue to build upon this success that we have experienced," says Milgrom. "I hope that someday this program can become a dynasty and a juggernaut of small-college rugby in America."
-- by Robert Healy III
"Our goal is to prove that we are the best team in Division III rugby," says co-captain Milgrom.
They'll have their chance.
Hamilton Rugby -- the National Rugby Union Collegiate Division III Eastern Regional champions by way of a 29-7 win over William Paterson University on Nov. 10, 2007 -- has earned a bid to the Division III Final Four, hosted by Hamilton at Minor Field on Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27. Hamilton plays Plymouth State University on Saturday at 11 a.m., while Widener University and Furman University compete at 1 p.m. The winners meet Sunday at 1 p.m. for the national championship.
Though the Exiles are close to reaching the national peak on April 27, the team comes from quite humble roots: In 2004, when the current seniors were freshmen on a squad of about 18, the team did not win a game. "We've built this program over the past four to five years," says Milgrom, rather modestly.
The team now has a roster of around 60 players.
"These guys really work hard," says Brad Jones, head coach of the Exiles and himself a former player as a student at Boston College. "We have 35 guys at every practice. Last [season], it was more like 17 or 18. Guys who've played all kinds of sports -- soccer, football, all games -- show up. Some guys played rugby in high school, some have grown up with it, but mostly, they just recruit freshmen."
"And we have a strong freshman and sophomore class," says Milgrom.
Not that they need them all just yet. The A-side team -- made up of USA Rugby-registered players and the ones truly competing for a national title -- is comprised of mostly juniors and seniors and has surrendered only 10 points in as many games this past fall, including eight shutouts.
Rugby has become a popular club sport at Hamilton for not only men but also women -- who have a team of their own. Combined, 90 students (30 women) play on the rugby club teams at the College. The number of interested people is much higher though, as rugby games on campus easily draw the largest crowds among club sports.
"We would love to win the national championship in front of our home crowd," says Milgrom.
"When I graduate, I hope to leave behind an era of prestige for Hamilton rugby and a foundation for the program to continue growing and getting stronger.
"With a lot of hard work and dedication from many different individuals, we -- in my four years here -- have established a hierarchy of dedication, hard work and discipline that has enabled us to go [undefeated this fall], ultimately resulting in our hosting of the Final Four."
This marks the second year in a row that Hamilton has competed in the regional title game, having lost last fall to Bentley College, the eventual Division III national champion. This time around, as regional champs themselves, Milgrom and his team hope to win the title and blaze a trail for years to come.
"I hope future generations of Hamilton rugby can continue to build upon this success that we have experienced," says Milgrom. "I hope that someday this program can become a dynasty and a juggernaut of small-college rugby in America."
-- by Robert Healy III
