This week, there is a clear focus on the Wabash campus- beating Depauw. For most students, this goal is most strongly linked with football and the colossal matchup on Saturday at Hollett Stadium. For one group in particular, however, their week’s big event will occur the day before everyone else’s- the Keg Game on Friday between the Wabash and DePauw rugby teams.
While the Wabash rugby team is a club organization, it certainly puts forth varsity effort. The players are very dedicated and passionate about their sport, to which player/coach Will Hoffman can attest.
“I’ve torn both MCLs, had reconstructive surgery on my shoulder, gotten a concussion and sprained my elbow,” said Hoffman, who insists that all of his battle wounds are worth it.
“The rugby team is a brotherhood,” Hoffman said. “We travel over the weekend because we don’t have a home field. We beat up on the other team, then guys hang out afterwards.”
Senior player Ben Ladowski agreed with Hoffman about the social intricacies of rugby. “It used to be a culture of shaking hands, beating the hell out of people, shaking hands and having a beer,” Ladowski said. “But now the culture is changing. There’s a lot less of that because some people couldn’t handle it.”
The Keg Game has become a staple of Monon Bell Weekend, and has grown in importance in the last few years. “It’s probably gotten big in the last eight to ten years,” said Hoffman.
Ladowski was able to shed some light on the former ignorance about rugby that existed around here. “My dad’s been watching rugby for 12 years,” Ladowski said, “And a few years ago some guys were cheering but had no idea what was going on, so my dad explained the rules to them.”
Because of the growing popularity, some around the Wabash campus were unhappy when they found out that the Keg Game was being played at DePauw this season, as the game used to be held in the same location as the football game.
“That’s a new agreement the schools have,” Hoffman said. “The schools decided to split the responsibility of the weekend, so from now on, the Keg Game will be played opposite from the Bell Game.”
“Some guys on the team are bummed out about it,” said Hoffman, “but most guys understand. There are big crowds and lots of security needed, so it makes sense.”
Ladowski expressed some disappointment with the decision to have Depauw host the game. “It usually brings people who don’t normally see rugby,” said Ladowski. “They’ll have a lot more fans than we will, and we’ll have less people because it’s a lot earlier in the day this year. It’s usually later in the evening with lights, which is fun.”
Despite their fierce competition on the field, the Wabash and Depauw rugby teams are friendly off the field.
“Our teams get along great,” said Hoffman. “It’s a big rivalry, but most of the problems are between the fans.” Ladowski agreed with Hoffman about the healthy rivalry with Depauw. “It’s a good rivalry. We’ve actually had to step in as rugby players and break up fights between the fans before,” Ladowski said.
Nonetheless, Hoffman admits that the Keg Game is the biggest of the season. “There’s no doubt that we practice very hard for the Keg Game,” Hoffman said.
A good showing by fans at the Keg Game would undoubtedly inspire the Wabash rugby team and help kick off Monon Bell weekend with Wabash up 1-0 in what are arguably the two most physical sports around. That would certainly be something to be proud of.