Out of State
I have hit the ground running! There is plenty to learn about the high school rugby scene, but fortunately, I have some great connections from my playing years who are providing quality leads on events and opportunities to see players from all over the country.

Joe O'Brien, one of our Johnnie Rugby alumni and a Blue Coat Society Board Members, and I recently flew to Cleveland, Ohio. From a rugby standpoint, Cleveland "rocks" as a hub for quality high school programs, particularly within their Catholic schools. We spent two days on the sidelines at St. Ignatius High School, watching players from across the region participate in talent ID sessions. Their skills and character were on full display as they worked alongside teammates they had likely never met. After the sessions, we set up a "loud and proud" Saint John's University table and spent several hours mingling with players and parents before flying home. It was a truly fantastic college recruiting event.

Over spring break, I hit the road for Chicago—one of the nation's premier rugby communities for everyone from youth to professional players. Most importantly, it is a hotbed for competitive high school rugby. Our very own Assistant Director of Admissions, Sarah Murnane, joined me to galvanize our recruitment efforts. We spent our first two days on the South Side, guest coaching and speaking to prospects from St. Rita and Marist High Schools.

On Saturday, I watched the New Trier Rugby Club, which took second in the nation last year. Led by their coach—and my former USA Eagle and Major League Rugby teammate—Paddy Ryan, they maintained an impressive standard of play. The experience was even better as New Trier took on two Wisconsin clubs, Pulaski and Marquette. It was a hungry group of players with a lot of young talent that will be exciting to track over the next couple of years.

The connections are growing! It is in my DNA to meet new people and talk rugby. The coaches I met, the club references I gathered, and the time spent with athletes and parents made these first two trips incredibly rewarding. Now, however, the focus has shifted back to Minnesota. We will only be successful in our vision if we do an exceptional job of recruiting at home.

Minnesota is King
As the winter snow melts and warmth returns to the CSB+SJU community, there is a renewed energy regarding what lies ahead this summer. However, as summer approaches, so does the "crunch time" of the spring semester and our final chance to recruit seniors for the fall club season.

The pool of high school rugby players has grown and is rebuilt from COVID, yet the landscape remains unique. You cannot simply call any athletic director to find a team; most programs are clubs. Some take the name of a specific high school, while others are regional clubs that draw from multiple schools. In other parts of the country, some schools even hold varsity status.

Minnesota Youth Rugby (MYR) geographically spans from Fargo/Moorhead to Duluth and the Twin Cities Metro. While there were once over 15 boys' and 10 girls' teams, the current landscape consists of about eight clubs each. MYR is fighting to keep the game growing, led by dedicated volunteers who coach, fundraise and balance their own family commitments. It is truly a labor of love.

Despite the challenges, competition remains fierce. The back-to-back state champions, Minnetonka Rugby Club, are looking for a "three-peat" this season. Their sustained success drives the competitive fire of the MYR, especially as teams like Edina Rugby Club push them to stay sharp and avoid complacency.

At Saint John's University, we are thrilled to have three players from Minnetonka and two from Edina committed for the fall. These student-athletes are "feathers in my cap," and many are multi-sport athletes or talented in other areas, such as music. Whether it is a soccer player from a state championship team choosing rugby or a musician willing to risk his hands on the field, these commitments are special.

During their recent campus visits, these recruits spent the night and bonded with our current team. When the current Johnnies gathered the visiting group at the Refectory and stopped by my office, the energy in the room shifted. I witnessed a group of young men, comfortable in their own skin and excited for the future, all connected by the game of rugby. Facilitating those connections is the best part of my job
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Who will be the next to commit? There are still plenty of names on my whiteboard, and as many of you know, the four-year experience at CSB+SJU is second to none.

Until next time,

Coach Nate