First there was Caid (Cad), an ancient Celtic ball game. Then came RUGBY. At Rugby School, England, in 1823, an Irish boy named William Webb-Ellis added some Gaelic flavor to a soccer game, and got the new sport rolling (rugbyfootballhistory.com).

According to Kevin Woodcock, ’05 alumnus and former Guilford rugger, “He was a soccer player

who got p—ed and started to run with the ball.”

Rugby came to Guilford when Colin Vallance formed the Guilford College Rugby Football Club (RFC) Jan.1985.The team became official in 1989 after they competed against and defeated Duke and UNCG.

Emily Drennen formed the women’s team in Nov. 1992. They had 30 core players at a time when there was only one other women’s club in the state.

The Lady Quakers’ first match on Feb. 14, 1993 was dubbed the Valentine’s Day Massacre after a crushing loss. They recovered however, and won the state championship in 1994 under the coaching of Anne Lundquist, and trainer, Nory Burt.

Averaging 300 collisions during 80 minutes of play, rugby mixes speed, finesse, non-stop play-and no pads.

“It’s definitely appealing, and exhilarating, and attracts a crowd” said Sam Huff, a sophomore varsity soccer player. “It’s a bit risky, though.”

Rugby, ranked third among most popular sports world-wide and one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S, remains popular among students at Guilford.

Men’s rugby draws crowds that rival varsity sporting events and the women’s team has a loyal following as well.

Sarah Levenson, last year’s captain of the women’s team, values the experience of teamwork. “Rugby can reveal how much a human is capable of growing, sacrificing, and becoming more than themselves,” said Levenson.

The social part of Rugby is also an important draw.

“Rugby wouldn’t be the same without the Rugby social afterwards,” said Ben Snyder, captain of the Men’s team. “There you become best friends with the same guy you just tried to murder.”

An “oatmeal wrestling” at UNCG, spring games in prom dresses ( a tradition since 1994) and sing alongs with Kelly Clarkston CD’s are a few bits of Lady Quaker fun.

“I’m very proud to be part of this team,” said Chalikian. “But that sounds like such a sound bite from a football coach, so I’m going to say I’m crazy-psyched to be part of this blissful madness.”

Guilford College RFC is recruiting players for the winter season. If you are “crazy-psyched” to try rugby, practices are MWF 4-6 p.m.