Rugby makes championship, but gets disqualified

The FIU men’s rugby team faced the spring season with one phrase in mind, “we control our own destiny,” however at the very end of their season, fate was against them.

The team was forced to reschedule their qualifying game against the University of Central Florida due to weather conditions. Four starters and other key players were not able to attend the game, therefore FIU didn’t score the four tries they desperately needed for a bonus point. UCF advanced with 23 points, Florida State University with 16 and FIU fell to third place with 15. They were unable to qualify for the South Independent Rugby Conference’s (SIRC) championship.

Then fate shined some light on FIU as captain, Kyle Gilbert, received a call from a SIRC commissioner Gordon Campbell at noon, Thursday. The commissioner explained that FSU had been forced to forfeit some games as punishment for having illegal players on their team. Some players did not meet the requirements to play; some were part time students and others did not have the minimum GPA to play.

This automatically put FIU in second place to qualify for the SIRC championship, and the race against time began.

The game would take place in Georgia on Saturday, and all paperwork had to be submitted to the conference by noon, Friday. The team had to go through several departments at FIU in order to get signatures for their paperwork and find a way to get to Georgia, but came up short with such a sudden deadline.

“It was very disappointing,” Gilbert said. “We tried so hard looking for vans to drive all the way there. It was such short notice, so we couldn’t get everyone’s paperwork in time. Which is a process that is usually done in a week. Plus we didn’t want to travel with half our team just like our last game.”

Many seniors were robbed of their last chance to make it into the championship.

The SIRC was very apologetic since this situation has never happened before, and promised to try to have a closer look at and kept FIU at the No. 2 spot in the state, the best ranking the program has ever seen. The new standings ended as UCF with 23, and FIU with 15 points.

“This has been the best season we’ve had in many years,” Gilbert said.

FIU went 3-3 this season, and improved in their set pieces, such as scrums and line outs. Which were crucial in top contender games with players that have more experience under their belt.

This was also the last season for third-year Captain Jorge Evora, and he will always remember the friendships made and post-game socials shared.

“Some guy randomly came up to me one day at the gym and talked to me about rugby, I went to one practice that Thursday to try out and I was hooked,” Evora said. “I guess I had a good practice because they started me on the A side that Saturday even if it was my first game.”

Evora has been playing since sophomore year and has proven to be a reliable asset each season in every position required.

“He understands all different aspects of rugby, his knowledge on rugby is so intense that makes him excel in all areas,” Gilbert said.

“Once I step on the field I see my teammates and whatever they do I back them up and I’m responsible for them. I guide them, but that helps me do better for them,” Evora said.

Commitment played a key role in this season’s turn out. The team was ready to leave their best on and off the field to make a name for themselves.

“Everyone had the mindset to bring it further than just a club team,” Gilbert said.

Rookies have definitely made themselves be seen throughout the season, not only because they outnumber, but because of their evident talent.

“You usually have the most experienced players controlling plays and telling others what to do, but this season rookies were commanding on the field,” Evora said.

After starting fresh off the fall season, Barrington McNutt has proven himself and others that he’s a crucial player.

“There’s not a moment when he doesn’t go 100 percent all game,” Gilbert said.

Even though the Panthers did not get to play at the conference championship, they feel more than satisfied with their progress.

“I’m very proud of all our work, especially to overcome such rough seasons we’ve had in the past,” Evora said.

Both Gilbert and Evora played their last SIRC season as captains, but they leave the team confident that this is just the beginning.

“If you want this team to run on all cylinders then everyone on the team needs to be close as a family. You’re all going to moving towards one goal,” Gilbert said.

Evora leaves one final message to the team as he waves goodbye to what became more than just a pastime.

“Stick together, don’t turn on each other on the field,” Gilbert said. “If someone makes a mistake forget it and try to do better. If you stick together you’ll achieve something better.”

 

-veronika.quispe@fiusm.com