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Just when all of us rugby fans here in the States thought that the prospects for the game in the U.S were getting better and better, the top rugby powerhouse, the University of California at Berkeley, has whistled up a severe penalty.
In an austerity move, rugby is being downgraded to a varsity club sport, a newly created status that recognizes its achievements but places it below intercollegiate level and makes it no longer eligible for university funding.
And although not much may change for Cal rugby on a daily basis – the Bears team has been in existence for 128 years, and has won 25 national collegiate championship titles – the move comes as a blow to those who have fought for years to raise the sport’s profile in this country.
Collegiate rugby in the United States is not governed by the N.C.A.A., as is the case with American football, basketball, and many other sports, but is instead run by individual universities and by USA Rugby.
While universities from coast to coast have teams, they do not play traditional conference games in the Big 10 or the Pac-10. UC’s move is lousy timing as a new nationwide college rugby competition will be introduced this spring. The competition, with 31 teams involved, will be split into four conferences.
The top two teams from each conference will qualify for national playoffs in May.
The new comp is seen as an opportunity to compete intercollegiately at a national level and build the recognition of rugby as a sport through some of the more recognizable college names like Cal, Texas A&M and Notre Dame.
However, undermining the sport at the top rugby club is no way to produce more players talented enough to play professionally for teams in Europe and Japan. No way to eventually build an Eagles team that can compete a notch or two below the Big Five at the RWC.
U of C’s move has thrown a pall over American rugby. We’re all in mourning.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.