Saint Louis University Rugby Club
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Welcome to the official website of Saint Louis University Rugby Club History: Since 1996, SLU has won the Missouri Union Langenberg Cup Championship six times and has participated in five Western Territorial Championships, placing 4th in DI in 1996, 6th in DII in 2002, and 3rd in DII in 2009. After the MRFU dismantled the Langenberg Cup, SLU rugby won the MRFU in 2005 and 2009. During that timeframe the boys can also boast top-4 finishes in the Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Tournament, St. Louis Ruggerfest, Carbondale All Fools, Heart of America, and a number of other regional competitions. Our most recent tournament success came in the SIU Carbondale Tournament in 2006. SLU Rugby took home first place. Dan Weir and Justin Whitton took the coaching reigns in 2004, leading SLU all the way to the 2005 Western DII semi-final and a 4th-place finish, and within one win of the National Championship Tournament. That success would be repeated in 2009, when Coach Whitton and Coach Aten led the team back to the Western Territorial Championship.
Based on a loose affiliation with Saint Louis University, the SLU Rugby Club was first established in 1957. Strides were taken early on to develop a unique Club identity and culture by the founding members, and throughout the 60’s, 70’s, and early 80’s, the Club legitimized itself as an organization exclusive to the University, strengthening it's status as a club sport at SLU as it experienced varying degrees of success in those years.
By the early 1990’s SLU Rugby had already sent many former players on to prominent playing careers with area man’s clubs such as the St. Louis Falcons, St, Louis Bombers, and the St. Louis Ramblers, as it grew in popularity and esteem both on campus and amongst these local area clubs. Coached by Bill Brandt, SLU teams of the early 90’s began dominating local competitions, setting the framework for the continued success SLU Rugby sees today.
In Fall 2006, the squad welcomed new backline coach, Doug Aten, the team. With his help over the next 3 years, the backline transformed into a synchronized unit, that is one of the best in the state of Missouri. Both Coach Whitton and Coach Aten provide SLU Rugby with the unique advantage of having experienced ruggers coach the college side.
In the spring of 2009, SLU Rugby once again found itself in the Western Championship Tournament. The 2009 season was named "The Season of Redemption" and inspired the squad to achieve greatness. Because of the new commitment to the team, the captains and Coaches Justin Whitton and Doug Aten employed harder practices and specific rugby strength training exercises to help the undersized squad. Despite setbacks due to transportation and weather, SLU Rugby captured 3rd place in the West and is currently ranked 15th in the nation for DII Collegiate Rugby.
SLU Rugby is recognized as one of the premier club sports at Saint Louis University, and has continued to develop skilled players over the years who have gone on to contribute to successful men’s clubs throughout the country. There are SLU Rugby alumni currently on the rosters of the Chicago Lions, Chicago Griffins, Chicago Condors, Cincinnati Wolfhounds, Kansas City Blues, St. Louis Bombers, St. Louis Ramblers, and the St. Louis Royals.
