Former Rugby Club president Zach Chodaniecky exuded nothing but confidence during his tenure on the hilltop. With only three losses for his squad in as many years, he had little reason to be apprehensive. But sometimes a debilitating injury can be just the thing to humble a team and keep the danger of the game ever-present in their minds.

Chodaniecky was carried from the field, from school and even off the stage when touring with his band after his hip was smashed during a match last February. New rugby president Nikolai Solow said the injury was “part of the game,” but nonetheless, “truly a freak accident.”

“Zach scored a lot of tries for us in the last three years,” said Solow, “but everyone else is looking forward to picking up the slack in his absence.”

Solow’s hopes remain high for the new rugby season. His ranks have been boosted by “new freshmen as well as foreign students,” not entirely inexperienced in the game. After proving themselves with a record of 38-3-2 over the last three years, the team is ready to make a concerted push for the Lonestar Conference championship, followed by a swing at national competition under the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO).

Quite the lofty goals considering that St. Edward’s Rams rugby team was founded just five years ago.

Competing in Division I for the first time, the team has accomplished one of the first goals outlined at its inception. With one season as conference runner-ups under their belt, the team will now be focusing on the NSCRO, a league of schools more comparable to St. Edward’s size.

This new era for the program has also led to some adjustments in the coaching staff. Lachlan Ferguson, who has been coaching both the Austin Blacks and the St. Edwards Rams with great success, resigned from the Blacks this year to focus primarily on St. Edward’s. Ferguson has also added a new assistant coach, Steve Corcoran, a retired player for England’s Bristol Rugby Club.

Under this new management, St. Edwards Rugby is ready to start off their season with a “home-heavy” fall, said Solow. Five of the eight games before Christmas are at the Rams’ “home field,” starting Sept. 21 with the 5th Annual Heart of Texas Rugby Tournament. Matches will be played from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As St. Edwards does not have a field for a rugby match, home games are played at Burr Field in Austin. The field is close enough to campus for students to come out and support the Rams.