I walked into Murphy’s Pub on a Wednesday afternoon to sit down with Illinois women’s rugby president Ella Schuch (Cubs), captain of the forwards Miranda Zanca and backs captain Makenna Pinkham (Knuckles).
I have never met for an interview at a campus bar before, and I probably won’t again. But, being the rugby bar, it only made sense. It also made for one of my favorite interviews that I have ever completed.
The three women gathered around a booth on the east side of the Pub, and we dove into a sport that gets minimal coverage in the U.S. What I learned was fascinating. There’s something about these smaller sports that requires more dedication and provides more adversity to the athletes, and they may very well come out stronger because of it.
Women’s rugby came to the University in 1973. The program has gone through a lot in 51 years, but the last 1 1/2 have been nothing short of hectic.
It started with a new coach. “Duquesne” is what the women call him, as the former rugby player assumed his duties to lead the Illini.
He’s an “old boy,” also known as an alumni, who played for and coached the male Illini for a long time. Now, he drives two hours twice a week to give back to the women’s team.
“It’s worked out really well,” said Zanca. “He makes a real effort not to overstep but also relate to us and try to be a part of some of the things that we have going on. I really appreciate that.”
In Duquesne’s first season, Illinois made the DII final four and finished No. 5 in the nation. It was a dominant run through the conference, followed by travel from city to city, all the way to Houston.
They knew they had talent, but none of them expected to be on the national stage at the end of the year.
“It was like 20 years since we’d made it to Regionals,” Knuckles said. “Financially, we were not prepared. We rented cars. We drove that 13-hour drive (to Nationals) and showed up really tired, but it was still a really cool experience.”
None of them could recall the program making it to Nationals either, making this the farthest advancing squad in their history.
At that point, the Illini had done all they could. They had traveled to different states, driven together, lived under one roof and the roster was beat up. Star players were even dislocating limbs and staying on the pitch to fight for their teammates. Depth was depleted.
A national championship wasn’t in the cards, but reflecting on what got them there was. Sitting around that table at Murphy’s, there was a consistent emphasis on the bond and diversity in the rugby world.
“Even when we lose, we all have each other to fall back on,” Cubs noted.
They do everything together. They go out, they practice and best of all, they enjoy a “rouse” (rugby + house) together.
“I would say rugby, in some ways, feels like a frat a little bit. But it’s much cooler.” Zanca said with a smile.
They follow a tradition similar to the big-little relationships of Greek Life. A difference, however, is how involved the old girls and old boys are. Alumni constantly interact with the team, attend games and donate to the program. It’s a product of the family mentality that the program has passed down through each generation.
“We have sorority girls, misfits, everyone comes together and it’s a great time,” Cubs said. “We’ve gotten to the point where we’ve developed a reputation as being a really accepting community.”
It was evident that they pride themselves on their diversity and bonding opportunities. Singing songs, bar trips and long car rides bring the ladies closer together. Despite the musical tunes sometimes turning vulgar, they fit the vibes of the sport, and they all enjoy letting loose.
“They are all very lewd,” Zanca described as the others laughed. “It very much goes with rugby culture, which is incredibly violent and physical. The songs are fun and goofy and make fun of everything.”
Road trips are popular song times, and they’ve had plenty. Without major funding, the Illini were forced to make their own travel plans for transportation and shelter and took any opportunity they could get.
One of their bonding trips resulted in a full team sleepover at Knuckles’ childhood home. With Regionals near St. Louis, they needed a place to stay.
“My parents rented an R.V. and put 20 girls in their house and the R.V.,” she recalled. “They also fed us breakfast twice and a massive dinner just so we could play for a chance to go to Nationals.”
The chemistry was undeniable between the leaders sitting around the table at Murphy’s, and moments like these fueled the team on their run through the postseason. These times also allow the women to escape the athlete life for a little, and just be friends.
Despite arguably being the toughest people on campus who beat each other up for fun, they aren’t always feeling the killer instincts. Zanca recalled a hard-fought battle against LSU last year, when emotions needed to be released.
“I feel like there was a real embodiment of femininity,” said Zanca. “We’re all crying, but we also just beat the s— out of each other…It’s really cool to me to have this opportunity to do something that is empowering and also doesn’t compromise my emotional nature.”
Balancing the femininity of being a woman while playing such a physically dominant sport can be challenging at times, but there are people to look up to.
Ilona Maher made waves throughout the United States this summer, leading the American women’s rugby team to their first-ever Olympic medal. As one of the stars of the Olympics, Maher used her platform to speak out for women’s sports and rugby in particular.
Her message was simple. No matter your body type, and no matter what people think of you, you are free to seek your own happiness. The women’s rugby team at Illinois has preached this for years, and these three veteran leaders were inspired by the global attention that an athlete from their sport received.
They’ve already seen a boost in recruiting, reflecting Team USA’s feat. Opportunities are plentiful in the sport right now, and college students are interested.
“It’s such a wide range of people. There is space for everyone,” said Knuckles. “It’s just such an interesting, special and unique sport that more and more people are getting to know.”
Rugby is officially on the rise.
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