The Utah men’s rugby team has announced its fall schedule, which includes six games against top competitors in the West.
Despite lacking the funding for varsity programs, the rugby team has competed on the national stage for the past several years. This year’s fall schedule sets the young team up for the same kind of success it has seen in the past.
“The fall season is valuable for us in the development of our program,” said coach Blake Burdette. “We have a lot of new players again this year and it is important that they learn what being a student-athlete is all about right from the get-go.”
The start of fall classes Monday marked the beginning of daily practices for the rugby team, which will practice for two weeks before playing its first game.
The Utes will begin their fall campaign with a matchup against Utah Valley University Sept. 5, beginning at noon. The Wolverines have established themselves as a top competitor in Division II rugby.
“UVU continues to be an up-and-coming program and they always come out hard and ready to play,” Burdette said.
On Sept. 12, Utah will hold its annual alumni weekend, where Utah’s original rugby team will be recognized. The 1972-1973 team, which brought rugby to campus and paved the way for the program to grow into a nationally recognized club, will be honored.
The Utes will play two more home games, against Air Force on Sept. 19 and Washington State on Sept. 26, before taking a road trip to take on Colorado on Oct. 2 and Colorado State on Oct. 3.
Utah will then return home for its final fall game of the season against in-state rival Utah State on Oct. 10.
The Air Force game will most likely be the Utes’ toughest challenge of the fall season, as the Falcons have become a perennial playoff team from the West Region.
“We respect what Air Force brings to the table,” Burdette said. “They have that never-give-up attitude and play for all 80 minutes.”
All of Utah’s home games will be played on Baliff Field, located near the Heritage Center, and most begin at noon.