Franciscan University Rugby
| Established | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Location | , , |
| Colors | Green and Gold |
| Nickname | Barons |
| Mascot | Baron von Steuben |
| Website | FUS Rugby |
Franciscan University Rugby was founded in 2000. In 2001, FUS Rugby had their first-ever rugby game as a recognized club sport by Franciscan University of Steubenville.[1] FUS Rugby was originally a part of the Allegheny Rugby Union which included powerhouses like the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University. Early victories included multiple wins against the A-sides of Pitt, WVU, Yale, the Merchant Marine Academy, and other nationally ranked programs. In 2004 Franciscan Rugby, made it to the Midwest Final Four.
In 2010 the Barons, were undeafted ARU Champions winning a decisive victory over Grove City College in the Conference Championship match. Although Franciscan lost to Ithaca in the National Sweet 16 tournament the Barons went on to beat the University of Chicago and Bemidji State to become Midwest Territory's Runner Up losing to Anderson College in the final. The Barons finished the year ranked 13th in the nation. FUS rugby then became a member of the Three Rivers Rugby Conference as part of the National Small College Rugby Organization. In 2011 Franciscan was again undefeated conference Champions and with the restructured NSCRO brackets, became Central Region Champions. This Regional Championship gave them a spot in the National Final Four, held in Denver, CO. The Barons lost the semi-final Match to National Champions Salve Regina but took 3rd in the nation after defeating the University of Northern Florida.
Recently, the Barons finished the Fall 2012 season with a 6-3 record as Conference Champion runner's up, losing to Grove City in the Championship. The Fall season of 2013 saw Franciscan take another undefeated conference run beating Robert Morris University 20-17 for the Three Rivers Rugby Conference title. That win put the Barons into the NSCRO Regional Tournament where they lost to the University of Southern Indiana but finished in the national top 10.
The Barons of Franciscan had an impressive 9 game winning streak in 2014. The road lead to another shot at a conference championship but Robert Morris University took the 3RRC Title back from Franciscan. The Barons will kick the 2015 season off with the 12th annual Rugby Ruckus.[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Scrum Time!". Retrieved 2012-11-04.
- ↑ "FUS Rugby, Co-Founders of New Rugby Conference". Retrieved 2012-11-04.
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