Enan Chediak Photography - A Semester in Rugby

Although it is not the most recognized sport on campus, the rugby team at SIU is an aspiring club that came together and had a great season in the Fall semester of 2023. Through rain and cold, the team came together and practiced every week for games at SIU and elsewhere. With the support of their fans, the club pushed through victories and losses, showing perseverance and drive, as well as their ability to come together as teammates and friends on and off the field.

Wilbur Milhouse (13) gives a group of his fellow team members a pep talk during an SIU game Nov. 14, 2023 in the Upper Arena Court at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. The rugby team is a student club that often plays other university’s rugby teams but sometimes plays their own team members for their loyal fans.

The SIU team prepares for a scrum in an SIU pickup rugby game Nov. 11, 2023 in the upper arena court at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois.

The Maryville rugby team pushes against the SIU team during a scrum Oct. 14, 2023 in the upper arena court at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois.

Matt Baron takes a moment to breathe during the SIU vs Maryville rugby game on Oct. 14, 2023.

Blake McCarthy (left) runs with the ball while Hank Smith (right) tackles Victor Himich (middle) in the SLU vs SIU rugby game in the upper arena court Sep. 9, 2023.

John Haase wears a bandage after being injured during the Washington University and SIU rugby game in the upper arena court in Carbondale, Illinois on Sep. 23, 2023. SIU won this game by only one point in a close game of 24 to 23.

Athletic trainer, Kailyn Weber, helps Wyatt Smith who was injured during the SIU Maryville Rugby game on Oct. 14, 2023.

The ball is put into play during a try in a pickup game of rugby Nov. 11, 2023. The rugby team still met, practiced, and played even when it was cold or sometimes even raining.

Dylan Kilgore stays late after the game to help clean up the field on Nov. 11, 2023.

The SIU team walks to their Turkey Bowl event, a pickup game of football to cap off their rugby season this semester at the track and field arena at SIU Nov. 15, 2023.