College Rugby Recruiting Information
Rugby Recruiting
St. Bonaventure Rugby welcomes all athletes, especially those with previous rugby experience.
With rugby exploding at the youth and high school levels, St. Bonaventure University is dedicated to providing a team-oriented atmosphere for committed young men to continue their academic and athletic careers. The Outlaws are currently ranked nationally in the top 10 of Division II and plan to move to Division I for the 2009 season. We require fit, athletic, skilled players to further our progress towards our ultimate goal - to be the top team in the Northeast Rugby Union.
Over the past 30 years, student/athletes from all over the eastern United States have continued their rugby careers at SBU, including players from Xavier (New York, NY), Harvey School (Katona, NY), Georgetown Prep (Washington, DC) and St. Edward (Cleveland, Ohio). The current team features 13 players from high school clubs including Xavier, Harvey School, Kenmore West (Kenmore, NY), Union County R.F.C. (New Jersey), St. John's (Washington, DC) and Cheshire R.C. (Cheshire, Conneticut).
Once at St. Bonaventure, the coaching staff is dedicated to raising every athletes' level of play, no matter how basic or advanced. Coach Clarence Picard '05, Assistant Coach Nick Hagen '03 and Strength & Conditioning Coach Chris Grys '08 know the club from the bottom up and are continually working to stay on the forefront of technical and tactical changes in the game. The staff encourages an open style of play that promotes exciting, dynamic rugby for all 15 players on the pitch. It is St. Bonaventure's goal to offer a structured environment, allowing players to reach personal and team goals. The club's roster currently features a former Under-20 USA Eagle and another five players with Northeast Rugby representative experience. Coach Picard heads the Western New York All Star program and assists with the New York State All Stars. Current students and recent graduates have also played and practiced with elite clubs such as Old Blue (New York, NY), New York Athletic Club, the Boston Irish Wolfhounds and the Chicago Lions.
Athletes without rugby experience are encouraged to join our club.
While playing experience is valuable, several of St. Bonaventure's top players never saw a rugby ball until their first day on campus. The coaching staff takes pride in its ability to mold raw athletes into high-quality players and team leaders. Captain and NRU All Star flanker Bob Owens '09 was a swimmer in high school. Football, soccer and basketball players, wrestlers and track athletes all bring skills easily transitioned to the rugby pitch.
If you are interested in visiting St. Bonaventure and meeting with the rugby team, please fill out the contact form below. As an Outlaw, you will join a nationwide network of thousands of alumni and supporters dedicated to helping St. Bonaventure Rugby reach its potential as a college rugby powerhouse.
If you are interested in joining playing college rugby at St. Bonaventure University please contact Coach Clarence Picard (clarencepicard@yahoo.com).