Curious about Rugby at Bard? Read this Q&A with head coach Garrett Montgomery:
Q: Do I have to have any rugby experience to join the team?
A:Â "Definitely not! While we love getting players who have rugby experience prior to Bard, we also love new and enthusiastic players who want to learn a new sport. Most collegiate players in the U.S., in fact, have not played rugby prior to college."
Q: I've watched some rugby and it looks pretty physical. Should I be worried about getting hurt?
A:Â Getting injured is always a risk in sports, but, the first thing we teach in rugby is safety. And we strive to keep players safe in every practice and game. If you're hesitant about tackling or contact- we still want you! Come try rugby out and just watch the contact portions of practice.
Q: How often do practices happen, and when?
A:Â Typically, we have three practices per week at the Ferrari Field Complex behind the gym. Sometimes we'll be on the turf field and sometimes on the grass field, and we'll always have practices that are open to everyone.
Q: I'm very committed to my academic and social life at Bard. What happens if I miss practice?
A:Â I encourage everyone to come to as many practices as possible. That said, I also encourage players to be well-rounded student athletes. Academics come first, and other commitments are important too. You know your schedule better than anyone and I leave it up to you to plan accordingly. My hope is you'll love practice so much you'll look for excuses to get out on the pitch!
Q: How would you describe the culture of rugby at Bard? Is it fun? Does everyone take it very seriously or it is a more relaxed atmosphere?
A:Â The Bard rugby team is welcoming, diverse, and passionate. Some players show up to every practice and push themselves to excel in each aspect of the sport, while some players come once a week to socialize and stay fit- and that's fine. The team is what you, the student-athletes as a collective and the student-athletes as individuals, make it. I will say, there is something special and uniting about being a rugby player that you'll know if you join!
Q: Does the rugby team partcipate in any team-building activities outside of practices and matches?
A:Â Yes! During the Rugby World Cup, we got together for frequent viewing parties and, throughout the pandemic, we've done regular online game viewing events. We've also volunteered in the local communities, helping out the with annual Hardscrabble Festival and setting up a park. The women's and men's teams are tight-knit and players often become lifelong friends on and off the field. We also plan on attending at least one large tournament per year with both teams, which gives you the opportunity to meet collegiate rugby players from all over.
Q: I know rugby has been played at Bard for a long time. What is the relationship like between the current squad and alumni/ae?
A:Â Each year, the alumni return to campus during graduation weekend for highly entertaining and competitive alumni games; in 2019, more than 50 alumni returned to Annandale! There is also a strong online network that allows current student-athletes to connect with alumni. Many students have received help from alumni in getting jobs, housing, or finding new teams, and I'm always happy to help make a connection happen. The rugby network at Bard and beyond is strong and vast!
Q: Why are you so passionate about rugby?
A:Â On the field, rugby is the most exhilarating sport you can play. It's fast-paced, nonstop action. It requires skill, intelligence, and determination. And the bond that unites rugby players is incomparable. No matter how hard-fought a match may go, both teams shake hands after and form lifelong friendships.
Intrigued? Email Coach Montgomery at gmontgomery@bard.edu to get more information.
