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Current and former players split this year’s games

If the parade is the signature image of Reunion Weekend and the pre-game clambake of Homecoming, then a hard tackle to the turf might be a fitting symbol for a reunion with a younger tradition – the annual return to campus of Rugby Club alumni in May.

Organizer Karen Mandel ’05 is hoping to boost awareness of the event at Metzgar Fields, and rugby alumni are asked to contact her, karenmandel@gmail.com. Those who don’t wish to play are welcome to come.

Alumni usually win the games against the student teams, but this year saw “quite an upset” in the men’s contest, notes Emily Smith ’08 (West Sayville, N.Y.).

“The women alumni severely beat the women’s team and the men’s team beat the alums by I think two tries,” she recalls.

Among the women, about 15 students and 10 alumni participated; roughly 40 students and 20 men competed in the men’s game.

As is traditional in rugby, battle on the field is followed by socializing.

“The social was fun, as usual,” says Smith. “Knowledge of the rugby songs is kind of dying out among current students, but it’s fun to sing in a large group when everyone knows the songs.

“The rugby alumni game and social are always fun, especially as you get older and get to know alums and reconnect with former students. It’s always great to see familiar faces and meet players that you may have heard of as a rookie. I always look forward to the alumni game — it has a nice, relaxed atmosphere and a feeling of camaraderie that you don’t quite get in matches against other schools.”