FORCAST FOR THE 2007 – ’08 SEASON
After a lack luster ’06-’07 season finishing with a 3-8 record, but with the prospects of 25 plus returning players and our ever increasing Freshman class. The SMU Rugby Club has a possible Texas Rugby Union (TRU) Collegiate Division II Championship in our sights. If history is on our side, this should be a good year for us. In ’03-’04 and ’05-’06 we made the TRU playoffs and finished 3rd both those years with the following years being rebuilding type years. This year we hope to improve on our 3rd place finishes with a Championship and compete in the West playoffs leading to a possible National Championship.
This season, with the addition of Isaiah Washington to coach the back line and matches set up against Division I college and universities, we’re poised to do well and improve our play and give us well needed experience.
Another first, for Family Weekend (Sept. 28th) we’re doing something different, instead of hosting a Team and Parents dinner. We have a match scheduled for that Friday night against Rice University a social will follow immediately after the match. This will give the parents a chance to meet and greet with the coaches and other players of the SMU Rugby Club.
In the past many players have asked for an early road match in order for them to bond together as a team. This year, their wish has been answered. Our first match will be against the 2006 National Collegiate Division II Runner up, Arkansas State University. We’re planning and playing this match in conjunction with the upcoming SMU v Arkansas St Football game, and lend our support to the football team and hopefully bring SMU two victories (one in Rugby and the other in Football). We have matches scheduled against Division I schools like Sam Houston State, the University of Oklahoma, Rice University and the University of Texas. We also have matches against some of the top Division II clubs like Angelo State, Midwestern State, TCU and UNT. With 10 matches set up for the Fall this should have us well prepared for our league matches in the Spring against the University of Houston, SFA, Texas St. and University of Dallas all leading to the quarter finals playoffs which like last year we had hoped to host. This year, it could happen.
After meeting with key individuals of the SMU Rugby Club, I believe we are ready to take our first step in becoming a top notch team in Division II Rugby in Texas. Along with our new electronic scoreboards to add to our lighted practice and game pitch, this will set SMU apart from other schools.
I’m very excited about the upcoming season and all the possibilities that come along with coaching these young men. Our schedule is posted on this as well as the SMU web site, if anyone would like weekly updates and insights on our upcoming opponent, you can e-mail me at TWRUGBYCOACH@yahoo.com and I’ll include you in those.
