The Boston College Rugby Football Club, or BCRFC, is a collegiate rugby union team that represents Boston College. It competes in the New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU). Like other Boston College athletic teams, BC ruggers are called the Eagles. With over 90 members, BC Rugby is one of the largest athletic teams at Boston College.
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The Boston College Rugby Football Club celebrated its Centennial Season in 2005,[1] making it one of the oldest rugby teams in the United States. The Club was formally organized in its present state in 1968. BCRFC's stated mission is to commit to the highest level of achievement on the pitch, in the classroom, and after graduation. In recent years, an additional emphasis on community service has reinforced the Club's commitment to the University's Jesuit ideals. Many BCRFC alumni go on to participate in BC's Old Gold Rugby Football Club.
BC Rugby has consistently performed well, most recently going undefeated for an unprecedented three seasons in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Highlights of 2006 included capturing a Jesuit Invitational crown in Fairfield, Connecticut, going 2-1 at the 40th annual Cherry Blossom Tournament in Washington, D.C., and advancing to the NRU semifinals in Batavia, New York where they were defeated by Harvard. BCRFC finished 8-2 on the 2006 season, placing 3rd in the Northeast Rugby Union. The Eagles' undefeated play in the NERFU's White League gave them 1st place in the league.
Also in 2006, Joe Hughes, BC ’03, was selected for the United States National Rugby Team,[2] to compete in the Rugby World Cup in 2007.
Although it competes at the highest intercollegiate level, Boston College Rugby is officially a club sport as determined by the Boston College Athletics Association. Membership is open to any Boston College undergraduate. As such, BCRFC membership reflects the diversity of Boston College and embodies the University's motto, "Ever to Excel". The Club's emphasis on academic achievement is evident in an average GPA of 3.4. Members of the Club partake in the University's Honors Program, and many have been inducted into honor societies including Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Sigma Nu. Several have won Fulbright scholarships and other prestigious post-graduate fellowships and awards. In addition to their many academic accomplishments, the BC ruggers fulfill regular service commitments to the Special Olympics, The American Red Cross and Nativity Prep, a tuition-free Jesuit middle school for inner-city students in Boston.
BCRFC's historic home pitch is St. John's Field on Boston College's Brighton campus. In the fall of 1994, owing to misunderstanding with the University administration, use of St. John's Field was suspended. During the subsequent 11 years, BC Rugby made use of other facilities including BC's Newton Soccer Complex, Eddie Pellagrini Diamond at John Shea Field, and Alumni Stadium, as well as several off-campus locations. These arrangements proved unsatisfactory, and in the fall of 2005, use of St. John's Field was restored.
In addition to St. John's Field, BCRFC still makes occasional use of Shea Field. The annual Alumni Game is held in Alumni Stadium.
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