“See this bruise? It’s purple and that’s cool!” said first-year Meleah Patterson, pointing to a patch about the size of a golf ball on her right knee. Rugby is one of the roughest sports at this Quaker college. And for those who play, it is life.

I have always told people that rugby crosses soccer and football, only you do not wear pads, and it is even more murderous.

Both the men and women’s teams practice three times a week on the fields behind the Bryan parking lot. Each has grown, getting lots of support from the first-year class.

Rugby is not, however, as big as football and soccer.yet.

John Boyd, a junior who has played rugby for the past six years on professional teams all over the East Coast and in Canada, said, “We’ve got strong freshman support, the strongest I’ve seen in the 4 years I’ve been here.”

First-year ruggers, despite relative inexperience, are enthusiastic.

“I want this to be a varsity team,” Boyd added, “because it’s a major sport around the world and since we’ve got so much potential. I mean, we could play Division I teams like Duke.”

A good portion of players on both rugby teams had never played before, but these rookie ruggers have already become integral parts of their teams.

However, teams can always use more people to play. “Rookies are always welcome, even if they don’t know anything about the game,” said Jeanine Scrogum, the coach of the women’s rugby team.

“I think we’re going to learn a lot this year.and we’re going to improve a hell of a lot,” said first-year Joe Szyleyko, who played rugby for three years in high school. “I hope everyone learns and loves the game.”

To truly thrive, though, the rugby teams need support from the general Guilford College community. “Fan support at the games would help out a lot,” said Kevin Woodcock, a sophomore who’s played for two years.

Tremaine Hatch, a first-year rookie, summed it up in three words: “We need groupies.”

Will Groves is a member of the men’s Rugby team.