Fairfield University’s men’s rugby club is enjoying success in the new year, on and off the field. In addition to the Red Ruggers’ recent return from a successful European tour in Spain and France, three members of the team were also selected for the Liberty All-Conference Rugby Team. 

Liberty All-Conference Team Selections

Ruggers Joe DeCaro ’20, Nick Lapponese ’23, and Andrew Pearl ’20 were the few lucky men selected for the Liberty All-Conference Teams, for their outstanding performances during the 2019-20 season. DeCaro was added to the First Team, Lapponese was selected for the Second Team, and Pearl was given Honorable Mention. The Liberty Rugby Conference formed in the spring of 2017 as the newest D1A collegiate league. Its All-Conference team selects the top players from schools within the Conference. 

“This is a well-deserved accolade for Joe, Nick, and Andrew,” said Austin Ryan, men’s rugby head coach. “Each of these student-athletes brings something different to the team and they all had standout performances during the rugby season. These ruggers definitely helped elevate the level of play for the entire team."

European Tour

The team's recent European tour took place from January 9 to 14. The Red Ruggers competed in two rugby games: one against Rugby Club L’Hospitalet in Barcelona, Spain, and the other against Montpellier Business School in Montpellier, France. The Red Ruggers bested Montpellier in a 25-22 victory; competing against both rugby clubs was an experience of a lifetime.

While in Barcelona, the men’s rugby club embodied Fairfield’s Jesuit values by engaging in a volunteer project. They conducted a clinic for one of Rugby Club L’Hospitalet’s youth teams, working with children ages eight to 10 to develop such rugby skills as passing and scrummaging.

The 24 rugby club members were also able to experience more than rugby while in Europe. Team-bonding experiences included sightseeing, enjoying new social opportunities, participating in cultural activities and tours, and sampling Spanish and French cuisine.

Opportunities such as the Liberty All-Conference Rugby Team and the Europe trip allow for student-athletes to enrich their collegiate experiences. The Fairfield Red Ruggers are just one example of the phenomenal athletic talent Fairfield University has to offer.

For more information about the Fairfield rugby club, visit fairfield.edu/rugby.