Letter to the editor: Reinstate the Quinnipiac women’s rugby program

In 2021, I was hired as head coach of the Eastern Connecticut State University women’s rugby program.

It was my first time really being involved in women’s sports, but I quickly found a sense of camaraderie and joy that is less prevalent among ultra-competitive men.

In fact, I had more fun with the ECSU women than I’ve had in nearly 30 years of playing and coaching competitive sports, which is why I feel so strongly about Quinnipiac University cutting its women’s rugby program.

QU is not just your run-of-the-mill college rugby program. These women have been luminaries for the sport across the globe, producing Team USA Super Star Ilona Maher (three-time national champion at Quinnipiac) and Army Women’s Rugby Head Coach Jenn Salomon-Clayton.

The school announced the move in an effort to comply with Title IX, but across the country, the rugby community is wondering why a school would cut its most successful athletics program (it’s won three of the school’s four Division I National Championships).

The alumni are up in arms. Ms. Maher said, “Shame on you,” and Ms. Salomon-Clayton remarked, “What a disgrace” and called for people to sign a petition to reinstate the program.

Rugby promotes women of all backgrounds working together, transcending differences and creating lifelong relationships. To excel at rugby, you need to be an excellent communicator, selfless, supportive and loyal – skills that build strong character traits applicable to every discipline.

Women’s rugby in America has expanded rapidly in the past 15 years, with hundreds of new programs popping up across the country, giving women like Ms. Maher and Ms. Salomon-Clayton the opportunity to chase their dreams and become role models for aspiring female athletes. But if Quinnipiac were to lose its program, which other schools could be at risk?