Regis Jesuit Rugby Begins Training for Season
Fellow Regis Jesuit High School Alums, Zach Fenoglio and Dr. Matt Schmitz pose for this post game shot.
Listen to Luke Armatas' interview with head coach Zach Fenoglio
Rugby training has just begun for the 2015-2016 season.
Coach Zach Fenoglio, the varsity head coach, just returning from playing in the Rugby World Cup for the United States, and Coach Brian Normile, the junior varsity rugby head coach, along with a new freshman rugby head coach, Tomas Gallegos, are beginning to host rugby practices for all grades after school. The rugby practices are just two hand touch, and are focusing on getting new players familiar with the sport.
“Just get out and play. A lot of people have a lot of their own previous perceptions of the sport that it’s very physical, and it definitely is, but I think anybody that has come out and played the sport,” said Mr. Fenoglio. “They’re only regret about is that they didn’t play it earlier and so I think my goal is just to encourage you guys to get out there and play rugby and see how they feel and then make your judgments about it after that.”
Any student playing rugby sees the workouts after school quite beneficial. Returning varsity player, Nick Hillenbrand ’16, describes preseason as not just a training session, but a way for every person to get involved with different positions and meet new people.
“The practices allow many different players to experiment with new positions,” said Nick, “while they allow new players to get used to the sport and people.”
During the rugby practices after school, coaches like Mr. Normile look at more than just practicing. They look into getting the team ready for the season, and ready to bring home a trophy for Regis Jesuit. Many coaches have seen an enormous growth in players this year and are taking advantage of it quickly.
“More than anything, the goal of our program is to improve our depth. Going from 20 to 25 guys that can truly put at varsity level, to 35 to 40 guys that can play at a varsity,” said Normile.
Not only have the players been growing, but the program has as well, seeing great support from Regis Jesuit.
“When I first started coaching 15 years ago, we didn’t have any of the sport that we have now. We practiced off campus, and played games off campus. We had no true school support. Now, that we’ve become an official varsity program at Regis Jesuit. Just the structure and the ability to have the resources that Regis Jesuit can provide,” said Normile. “has truly increase the viability in this program, Going from 20 guys to 70 guys. From struggling in our division schedule, to competing for a championship every year. That’s something that has definitely happened in the past 15 years, and hopefully we’ll only continue to move forward.”
Just coming back from the World Cup for USA, Fenoglio is looking forward to bring his surreal experience into this rugby program. In doing so, he hopes that it can excite more people to join and also motivate his returning varsity competitors.
“The whole reason that I coach is that I’ve had a lot of people give me a lot of feed back and coaching over the years that has been world class. To be able to pass it on to as many people as I can is why I do what I do. Ive learned a lot of great things,” said Fenoglio. “and continue to have a great value for the sport and its something I care about a lot and am very passionate about. My goal is to pass it down to as many people as I can pass it down to.”
Going into the rugby season equipped with a world class player and coaches, plenty of practice, and a rapid growing program, Regis Jesuit Rugby should be prepared for the season and playoffs like no other.
