Notre Dame rugby back, and off to good start
After being banned in 1995 for repeatedly violating University rules, the University of Notre Dame has reinstated their rugby squad for the 2007 fall season.
Already midway through the fall season, the Irish are 6-1-1 with wins over Illinois-Chicago and Northwestern.
Their schedule is as follows:
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/1/2007*† | 10:30 a.m. | vs. Old Boys | West Quad Fields • Notre Dame, IN | (Exh.) |
| 10/6/2007* | 9:30 a.m. | Calvin | West Quad Fields • Notre Dame, IN | |
| 10/6/2007* | 10:30 a.m. | St. Joseph’s | West Quad Fields • Notre Dame, IN | |
| 10/14/2007 | 10:30 a.m. | @ Loyola | Loyola University • Chicago, IL | |
| 10/20/2007 | 10:30 a.m. | DePaul | West Quad Fields • Notre Dame, IN | |
| 10/20/2007 | 12:00 p.m. | U. of Chicago | West Quad Fields • Notre Dame, IN | |
| 11/10/2007* | 10:30 a.m. | Anderson | West Quad Fields • Notre Dame, IN | |
| 11/17/2007* | 10:30 a.m. | Michigan State | West Quad Fields • Notre Dame, IN |
The NDRFC was founded in 1961 and was one the one of the first collegiate rugby clubs in the Midwest Union, and played men’s teams almost exclusively, including the Chicago Lions. In the spring of 1962, Notre Dame narrowly defeated Wisconsin in the first intercollegiate rugby match played in the Midwest.
According to the rugby blog Gainline.us, the team is also close to naming current U-17 national boys team head coach Sean O’Leary as their own head coach.