The New Zealand All Blacks Haka

Here is the New Zealand All Blacks Haka; it is a very respected tradition that they perform every game. The leader is of Maori descent and calls upon his team to join in with the chanting and performace. Here is what they say and the English translation:

Ka Mate

Ringa pakia
Uma tiraha
Turi whatia
Hope whai ake
Waewae takahia kia kino

Slap the hands against the thighs
Puff out the chest
Bend the knees
Let the hip follow
Stamp the feet as hard as you can

Ka Mate! Ka Mate!
Ka Ora! Ka Ora!
Tenei te ta ngata puhuru huru
Nana nei i tiki mai
Whakawhiti te ra
A upane ka upane!
A upane kaupane whiti te ra!

It is death! It is death!
It is life! It is life!
This is the hairy person
Who caused the sun to shine
Keep abreast! Keep abreast!
The rank! Hold fast!
Into the sun that shines!

Kapa O Pango

Kia whakawhenua Au I Ahau
Hi Aue, Hi!
Ko Aotearoa E Ngunguru Nei!
Au, Au, Aue Ha!
Ka Kapa O Pango e Ngunguru Nei!
Au, Au, Aue Ha!
I Ahaha!
Ka Tu Te Ihihi
Ka Tu Te Wanawana
Ki Runga Ki Te Rangi E Tu Iho Nei, Tu Iho Nei, Hi!
Pongo Ra!
Kapa O Pango, Aue Hi!
Ponga Ra!
Kapa O Pango, Aue Hi, Ha!

Let me become ne with the land
This is our land that rumbles
And it's my time! It's my moment!
This defines us as the All Blacks
It's my time! It's my moment!
Our dominance
Our supremacy will triumph
And we will be placed on high
Silver fern!
All Blacks!
Silver fern!
All Blacks!

*Many times they combine these two songs into a shorter one and they are continuously changing their Haka to represent them more and more*

-Spence-

Our Version of a Haka...

During socials, its a custom, to have our own haka, or a yelling match of some sort of chant. Whomever yells the loudest is the winner.**WARNING** this entire song is cussing!!**

Fuck a damn, shit a damn, fuck a damn damn
Some motherfucker just stole my man
I'll fuck the motherfucker better than the other fucker
So fuck a damn, shit a damn, fuck a damn damn

*BSU women's team won this "haka" this year against the IU women's team!*

-Spence-

Rugby songs (con.)

There are some rugby chants that are used when someone messes up a line in a song. This is also called "Shoot the Boot" **WARNING** this has some crude lines in it too!

[First and Last name of individual] is a horse's ass!
She's the meanest
She sucks a horse's penis
[First and Last name of individual] is a horse's ass!
I won't drink beer with any old man that won't drink beer with a rugby fan
So shoot the boot, shoot, shoot the boot!

Why are we waiting we could be masturbating?
So drink motherfucker, drink motherfucker, drink motherfucker drink!
Drink motherfucker, drink motherfucker, drink motherfucker drink!
(Repeat)

*This is sung to encourage chugging so they hurry up when drinking*

-Spence-

Rugby songs (con.)

This last long song was led by Emily 'Max' Lomax from BSU. In this song anyone can sing the song; when you have a cup you put it over your head and the group points to whomever goes next, then that rugger gets to lead a line if you don't get the line right or repeat a line that's already been said then you have "Shoot the Boot" (which will be explained later). This song is called "The Marrying Kind":

Max:
If I were the marrying kind,
Which I thank the Lord, I'm not sir
The kind of rugger that I would be
Would be a rugby....

Rugger:
Prop sir!

Everybody:
Prop sir? Why's that sir?

Rugger:
'Cause I support a hooker, you support a hooker
We'd all support hookers together
We'd be alright in the middle of the night
If we all support hookers together

*this song continues with every rugby positions, other teams, rugby equipment, etc*

-Spence-

Rugby Songs (con.)

The next song that was sung was by Emily 'Max' Lomax from BSU and she was the song leader for 'Monday's A Working Day'. *WARNING*: this song is crude and does have cussing involved:

Max:
Monday's a Working Day!
Monday's a Working Day!

How's your mother?
Alright
How's your sister?
Too tight
When's the last time?
Last night
When's the next time?
Tonight
So is everybody fucking happy?

Everybody:
You bet your ass we are!
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-d0
do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do

Max:
Monday's a work-work-working day!
(Everybody repeats)
Tuesday's a puke-puke-puking day! (you spit your beer everywhere)
(Everybody repeats)
Wednesday's a whack-whack-whack-a-day
(Everybody repeats)
Thursday's a smoke-smoke-smoking day
(Everybody repeats)
Friday's a fuck-fuck-fucking day
(Everbody repeats)
Saturday's a rugby day!
(Everybody repeats)
Sunday's the Lord's day! (usually whispered and have hands folded in prayer)

*Max would repeat this over and over again*

-Spence-

Rugby Songs: **WARNING**: These songs can be rude and crude, only read on if you want to**

These are the songs that were sung, except for one; the first one hear was sung when one IU girl, named Pudge, was put on top of the shoulders of a BSU girl, named Tank. Pudge is called the 'rugby whore' in this song. There's a song leader, an IU girl named Lydia, and everyone else chants back the song, if you know it: "I Met a Whore In the Park" aka "Ya-Ho" *sing to the tune of 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home'

I met a whore in the park one day
ya ho, ya ho
I met a whore in the park one day
ya ho, ya ho
I met a whore in the park one day
she said hey rookie, you wanna lay

Refrain:
Get in, get out, quit fuckin' about
ya ho, ya ho

I put my hand upon her toe
ya ho, ya ho
I put my hand upon her toe
ya ho, ya ho
I put my hand upon her toe
she said hey rookie, that's way too low

(Refrain)

I put my hand upon her knee
ya ho, ya ho
I put my hand upon her knee
ya ho, ya ho
I put my hand upon her knee
she said hey rookie you're kiddin' me

(Refrain)

I put my hand upon her thigh
ya ho, ya ho
I put my hand upon her thigh
ya ho, ya ho
I put my hand upon her thigh
she said hey rookie you're way too shy

(Refrain)

I put my hand upon her tit
ya ho, ya ho
I put my hand upon her tit
ya ho, ya ho
I put my hand upon her tit
she said hey rookie you're getting it

(Refrain)

*there's more to the song, but it gets a lil too crude-so I won't be putting that in*

-Spence-

IU Game....well sortof

This past Friday, April 4th, the BSU women's rugby team had a game down at IU against the Red Storm women's team [that's what they are called]. And for lack-of-better-words we got our butts kicked, 88-0!! O yeah it was hard to watch. I played the first half until I got hit hard by an IU woman who just tackled me at a angle so when I landed I ended up getting whiplash and a minor headache. I didn't move too quickly after that one. Well needless to say we played a 3rd half after the official game for the B-sides to play, meaning its just more practice for both teams. But the best part of the whole night was the social. This is where we went to an IU house to party, pretty much. It was the home of a couple of girls, a dog named Penny, and 3 cats it was called the Sin Bin [when there's a serious penalty on a rugby field, the player(s) are sent to their tryzone area called a sin bin in this instant]. I had never been to a social between our teams before but man, it was insane! There were around 30 people in a small house, trying to fill up 2 rooms and there were more people coming in through the night that were not part of either women's team but who knew players. There was singing, yelling, laughing, drinking, and everyone being wild. It was the most fun I've ever had especially after losing so badly and getting hurt. If anyone ever has a chance to be around a rugby social whether guys or girls you should take the chance because its definently a unique experience.

-Spence-

Looking Back at How Rugby's Played

For draft 4, I have decided to reexamine how rugby's played. In draft 2, I went through and explained the positions and very few, but basic, rules of rugby. And the fact of the matter is is that with even the basic understandings most people would have no idea what was going on if they watched a rugby game right now. So I'm going to go back through and explain in more detail what goes on during a game. I will also reexamine rituals such as "zulus", "shoot the boot," and socials. Hopefully be able to discover the psychological aspect that goes into some of these rugby behaviors.

-Spence-

3rd Interviewee: Sarah "Blucas" McHie

1.) Sarah "Blucas" McHie is a very friendly and outgoing young woman. She has long blonde hair and is a little more rounder in the face. Normally she doesn't straighten her hair but on this night she had it down and straightened and was wearing mascara-something to do with her job. She wore what she always seems to wear, a hoodie and sweatpants. She has her laptop on her lap in which she was trying to get homework done-which she seemed to be failing at. She was very personable and answered every question very eloquently and in a more formal manner than I was use to.
2.) When did you first hear about rugby?
What was your first impression of rugby and ruggers?
What role does rugby play in your life?
Is rugby a serious aspect of your life? What about the team?
What do you think of other teams that take it seriously?
How do you think other people see rugby?
What was your favorite game that you played in?
What's your best memory of rugby?
3.) This interview was also a shocker for me because Blucas comes from the drinkers POV and for her to say that "socially doesn't necessarily mean drinking" was a huge statement-one that seemed to shatter old biases.
4.)-"I had really no idea at first but they were definently crazy and had a more perverted sense of humor, which always kept the mood light. But I didn't talk at all when I first came here so it made it awkward, haha, they thought I was a creeper."
-"Well socially doesn't necessarily mean drinking and partying but it's a big part of rugby. It's an open place to hang out with friends and a great place to meet new people. You can always tell who the rugby players are, haha, we're the idiots, haha."
5.) It was interesting to hear her talk about rugby, her personal views of how things have changed with rugby since she was a freshman [she's now a senior]. For her to say that drinking does not necessarily mean socially was a great idea to hear because she not only realizes what the stereotype is but she's also a drinker and kinda "sticks it to 'em" with that statement. It definently shattered my original beliefs that the drinkers of rugby are only in it for that, but in fact they are just participating in a very big part of the sport.


-Spence-

2nd Interviewee: Brad Huff

1.) Brad Huff is a quieter guy but very matter-of-fact, hardly smiles too. He takes rugby here very seriously; he trains outside of practices by running, doing speed work, and weight lifting. He's not as tall as Steven is, probably around 5'7", muscular build, short light brown hair, a good looking young man. He wore athletic shorts, running shoes, and a hoodie because he was getting ready to go running in the Field Sports Building. He answered all my questions that I asked him-he seemed to be indifferent about the interview showing neither happiness nor anger. You can tell by the way he stared off into space and the way he talked about rugby he was truely passionate about the sport. He was a friendly guy but very hardened.
2.) How did you first learn about rugby?
What was your first impressions of rugby and ruggers?
What did/does rugby mean socially to you?
How do you think other people view rugby?
What was the best game you ever played in or saw?
Why rugby?
What do you do before a game to get yourself mentally ready for a game?
3.) This interview was very helpful for me because I got another view of social rugby other than what I see every Wednesday night. Especially to hear it from a guy who doesn't drink, another big shocker, it really caught my attention when he talked about rugby and how seriously his high school team took it. It was nice to hear for once that not all ruggers are 'crazy drunken idiots.'
4.) -"My freshman football coach. He was the rugby coach too and he talked up rugby all the time."
-"Well there was no drinking aspect because we were in high school and we took rugby very seriously. We wanted to work hard and try and win state. We treated rugby like it was a NCAA sport."
-"Because I'm very quiet and shy it's a way to meet new people, make friends, and meet all the people through them."
5.) All the information that he told me was for the most part very useful; even if I don't use it for my paper it's great as a mental note and for my own biases to hear what other people have to say about rugby who play rugby. It was also refreshing for a change to hear someone who took rugby just as seriously as I do. From what he has told me rugby is another sport, even if it is club, that does mean something to the people who play it. And that fact is what echoed throughout this entire interview.


-Spence-

1st Interviewee: Steven Bruder (outsider's POV)

1) Steven is a very laid back, tall, handsome young man who's 20 yrs old. He has an athletic style and a cool demeanor. Even when the world seems to fly by him he takes everything very slowly. He had on black athletic Nike or Adidas pants, with a tshirt with a intricate design on it. He was a friendly person to talk to, a little shy at first, but once he got talking he became more outgoing as the interview went laughing and smiling more. A very intelligent and well-spoken individual the interview went by fast but went very well.

2) Here's the list of questions that I prepared and asked him:

-When did you first learn about rugby?
-What did you first think of rugby and rugby players?
-How do you think other people see rugby?
Why?
-What do you think of the Ball State rugby teams?
Do they fit your previous stereotypes? why or why not?
-What's you favorite part about watching rugby?
Why?
-What's your favorite game you've seen so far?
-In your opinion, where does rugby fit in as far as how physically demanding it is?
-How dangerous is rugby compared to other sports?

3) The interview pretty much justified the stereotypes that I've heard about and it let me listen to how other people view me, my teammates, and other people I know who play the sport.

4) "They're a bunch of crazy drunks who like to rip each other's heads off." 'And now?' "Yeah, I still think they're crazy and they party a lot but they're not just a bunch of drunks-they're like family with each other."
"If you're a guy they think you're some drunk idiot and if you're a girl you're a lesbian." 'Why do you say that?' "That's the first thing most people say or they act surprised. They think they're a bunch of idiots because they tackle each other without pads-like football with no pads."
"They have a great bond between the teams, like a big family, fun to be around with many many traditions." 'Do they fit your previous stereotypes? Why?' "Yes and no-yes they are crazy and drink a lot but I understand why they do it because it's fun for them. But they are also very caring people and they watch out for each other, like a family does."
"You seem to get quite a few nicks, bruises, but as far as debilitating injuries there aren't many at all. Because they don't wear any padding like helmets they tend to run with their heads up so there are not neck/spine injuries and they don't fight for too much extra yards in rugby."

5) I believe this interview was very helpful because I know for myself I use to be an outsider who didn't know much about the sport other than the men's teams on ESPN2 who killed each other, in my opinion so hearing from another outsider is good to compare notes. Steven's initial feelings towards rugby were a good baseline to have to show that the general population of a non-dominant rugby country like the US thinks rugby is almost barbaric. What I found out in my other 2 interviews was that for the most part that was true. Also the credit that Steven gives to the sport saying that its not actually a very dangerous sport like some spectators think because they teach us how to tackle and hit properly that there really aren't any really debilitating injuries. I think his view of how dangerous the sport really is helps to break down some biases of the sport and clear the way for other prospective players.

A Great Experience

From Feb. 28th-Mar. 2 I had the opportunity to travel down to Cocoa Beach, Florida to tryout for the USA Women's U20 National Rugby Team. I was one of 51 girls who got to tryout and we came from the 4 corners of the USA and everywhere in between. There were 15 girls there who had played for the national team last year when they went to England, so the competition was definently much more elevated than I've ever been around. This was a very physically demanding camp, or tryouts, we had 3-a-days where we literally woke up at 7am, breakfast at 7:30, practice from 9-11:30 or so lunch at noon, practice from 2-6:00, dinner at 7pm, practice from 7:30-9/9:30pm then lights out by 11pm. I woke up more stiff and tired every day and even for a couple of days after the tryouts. We did drills, speed testing, scrimmaging, and numerous other activites for the many coaches to get an idea of what each of us could do.
25 girls who make the better of the two teams go to South Africa, the other 25 girls are on the development team and they go to Canada...I won't find out until next week, after Easter, which team I made obviously hopefully the South Africa team but who knows. It was definently an eye-opening experience for me and especially when I came back to my BSU team...the caliber of play is completely different. But I'll let you guys know when I know which team I've made. So until then....

-Spence-

Meet My Team (pt. 2)!!

Here are the Outlaws (BSU Men's Team):

Those without nicknames:
Brad Huff, Austin Burk, Justin Carnahan, Blake Deaton, Derrick Ferguson, Mike Greenwalt, Cameron Griggs, Denver Hall, Brad Heinz, Matt Hockaday, Tim Hostetler, Andrew Klajes, Jon Lynch, Kent Nimms Jr., Chris O'Connell, Adam Osbourne, Kyle Richard, Allen Schmelzel
Michael Shippen, Nicholas Volkman, Joe Vonderbeide, Jacob Ziemmer

Nicknames for other reasons:
"Second Row Joe": Joseph Brugos (position he plays)
"Zima": Anthony Farison (was drinking one night and he left after 6 beers, the veterans of the team made up the story saying he passed out after those 6 beers-named him Zima because it's a woman's drink)
"Cheddar": Todd Fitzpatrick (old coach always wanted a Cheddar Bacon Burger, had another player named Bacon so they named him Cheddar)
"Deuce": James Frye (not sure why he has this nickname but he's had it since beginning of high school may have something to do with his position as a hooker)
"Lurch": Kevin Gall (big guy reminds them of Lurch from the Addams Family)
"Juggs": Zak Hale (from the Juggernaut from XMen movies, because he gets really intense and angry during games)
"Ginger": Drew Heilman (because he's got strawberry blonde hair)
"Scarface": Kevin Hostetler [brother to Tim Hostetler] (he was drunk and he went through a glass window and got scraped up on the face)
"DK": Kyle Johnson ("Disappointing Kyle" was really good then started dropping passes)
"Squeak": Daniel McKinney (was chasing a guy in practice, thought he touched him and turned around and yelled 'I got him!' but his voice cracked)
"Mary Kate": Nathan Miller (Rhymes with Nate and because he's always with Casey Miller)
"Ashley": Casey Miller (has a girly name and Nate and him are always together, with the same last name)
"Flounder": Anthony Ripley (face looks like Flounder from Little Mermaid)
"Logan (Wolverine)": Ryne Ross (had shaggy hair and sideburns looked like Wolverine or Logan from Xmen)
"Piece": Chris Schaler (for "Piece of shit")
"Tweak": Zachary Smith (old coach gave it to him because he had crazy hair and he was hyper)

Those are all of the Outlaws!


You have now met all the players, my teammates, and my family!
-Spence-

Meet My Team!!

Here are all the players on the BSU rugby teams, both men's and women's, their nicknames, and how (if they know) they came to have them.

The Flamingoes (BSU Women's Team):

Those who don't have a nickname:
Amy Heline, Keely Hohmann, Abby Chittenden, Ashley Martin, Ashley Wade, Jessica Stogdill, Kat Gering

Nicknames from their name:
"Spence": Kristen Spencer
"Maples": Sam Maples
"Czuba": Ashley Czuba
"Milks": Jen Milks
"Q": Quiana Johnson (no one could pronounce her first name so she shortened it to "Q")
"Max": Emily Lomax
"HP": Heather Peterson
"Shadow": Aimee Shatto (how you pronounce her last name)
"Schneck": Amanda Schneckloth

Nicknames for other reasons:
"Hopper": Krista Hess (when she gets excited she hops up and down)
"Zumi": Loren Johnson (she's not very good at the drinking game Zumi)
"Scrappy": Danita Vanderbeek (she's really skinny but scrappy when she plays)
"Shades": Barbara Weber (she wears sunglasses ALL the time)
"Tank": Amber Dickman (she's big and strong)
"Mafi": Jes Hagan (comes from "Mafia" what she calls her car)
"Blucas": Sarah McHie (what she sounds like when she throws up after drinking too much)
"Lippy": Alyse Orr ("lip rule" when chugging beer)
"Cakeater": Amber Werling (has quite a few nicknames, but this one stuck because she got into cake fight with some of the guys' team because they were drunk)

*the men's team will come later*

-Spence-

Interview Dates

Here is a list of interviewees that supply different points of view for our Draft #3:

1)Steven Bruder-Feb 21st- outsider's view
2)Brad Huff-Feb 21st- insider's view and non-drinker's point of view
3)Kat Gering-March 4th- insider's/non-drinker's view
4)Sarah "Blucas" McHie/Zak "Juggs" Hale- March 5th- insider's/drinker's point of view

There reason for the non-drinker's point of view is because for rugby drinking is a big part of the social life and those who participate in drinking, typically view rugby in a different way and I want to explore that idea.

-Spence-

Rugby Positions

Instructional Video

If you look on the right where the video bars are located you can watch an instructional video called "Competing at the Breakdown." It works to explain how to avoid turnovers and how best to beat them. It's 7:37 minutes long...Enjoy!

-Spence-

This is the rugby emblem of both the men's and women's teams. We've tried to use the emblem for a possible jersey but it hasn't worked out yet.
























This is another possible emblem idea
a fellow teammate named Krista Hess,
or as she is affectionately known as
"Hopper," she does graphic designs for
the women's team and as a kind of
side job.

These objects or symbols are important to our teams because they make our team stand out from other BSU club teams, in our opinion. We don't just have a sweatshirt that says "Ball State Rugby" it has our own personal touch that are unique to all of us.

-Spence-

A Field and a Ball

1) The rugby field is a place that's become important to me. It's a place where my friends come together. A place of freedom from school, classes, professor, homework where you can hit someone to get anger and frustration out yet it's a place of fun. A game that I've grown to love and teammates, some once high school rivals, that have become a family here at Ball State.
It is also a place of temptation, where drinking socials and fighting can take place. For personal reasons I don't drink but I've also learned to just avoid drinking situations because of what usually happens.

2) Objects: outdoor: uprights and their pads, scrum sled, rugby balls, kicking tees, drill cones, cleats (rugby and soccer), rugby shorts, spandex, REC Services clipboard, mouthguards (more in games), a few scrumcaps; indoor: tennis shoes, benches, curtain (separating men/women) regular work out clothes

3) (see map below of a typical rugby field)

4a) I simply focused on the layout; a rugby field looks like any other outdoor field such as football and soccer but with some key differences.
b) I focused on what we use in practices and games because other than that there' s really not many objects used, not like in football.
c) Some people view rugby as a bunch of drunks getting to hit each other, or like one ignorant guy told me, a chance for lesbians to touch other girls but it's a sport like any other. I believe it's a pretty intense sport, some people have begged to differ with that idea so it makes me bias. But it's a sport nonetheless that leaves you tired, bruised, and sweaty when it's all said and done.

5) Focal point: Blucas' house, or the new rugby house, is a very important for the rugby teams, men and women. There are 6 people who live there, 4 girls and 2 guys. 2 of the girls, affectionately called Blucas and Q and the 2 guys Juggs and Ginger, play rugby and on of the other girls use to play rugby. This is where Wendy's takes place or WNDC's (Wednesday Night Drinking Clubs) where the rugby teams get together to drink, play games, and be merry. There's always people there who don't play and people who do and we all have a good time together. Questions I have for this place is how it became "the spot" to come to and party. There have been some conflicts that have taken place there before but nothing too bad.

-Spence-

Box #11

I chose the subculture rugby because I'm a part of the subculture and also because I am new to the subculture; I've only been playing for about 3 years now and I'm forever learning new things about the sport all the time.
My "fixed" positions that may affect my position would be that I'm a 19 year old teenager who doesn't drink and I always look down at the fact that my teammates drink so much. The social life is different for those players who are 21 or who just simply like drinking than it is for me; granted they are my amusement. I know that my "fixed" positions play a huge bias in my research watching my teammates and how they interact with each other.
My "subjective" positions that may affect my position would be the fact that I've played before both just with girls, but also practiced with guys, and have played at different levels. Also the fact that before rugby, I was miserable with soccer and basketball at my high school and when I finally had enough I found something new, rugby, that was fun and wasn't stressful.

-Spence-

Rugby Museum

While looking for more information on rugby and its history, particularly in other parts of the world, I found this website for the rugby museum in New Zealand. Check out the website, click on the links, see what all it has!

http://www.rugbymuseum.co.nz/

If you look through the articles there is a history of the All Blacks (New Zealand Men's Rugby Team) of their Haka, a war chant they do in every game, very interesting read...

-Spence-

History of Rugby...Or Lack There Of

History for rugby is not a straight line, in fact its history is all over the place. Theories suggests that rugby comes from the same ancestor as soccer and American style football known as folk football. According to Collins of Rugby's Great Split, "other than two sides and the propulsion of a ball to a goal, the playing rules of the game could differ enormously from area to area. In some regions, the ball was driven primarily by foot. In others, the ball was carried or thrown. Quite often a mixture of the two was allowed but, against those who would imagine folk football was a direct precursor to soccer" (Collins 1). This sport is set in pre-industrial society or around the time of the 17th century where numerous towns in England have records of playing folk football including, Hull, Huddersfield, Manchester, Rochdale, Whitehaven, Workington, York, Derby, and the rugby stronghold in Rugby, England where the supposed first roots of rugby started with William Webb Ellis. Along with the variety of folk football, there was also variation with the number of men that played. It varied between a thousand men on each team in Derby to 400 men in Sedgefield. Since then many things have changed not only variety, because there's only one way to play rugby, but also the number going down from 400-a thousand to 15 per team.

The image on the left is a sculpture of William Webb Ellis erected at the Rugby School in Rugby, England where it is required in the school curriculum to play rugby. "With a fine disregard for the rules of football as played in his time , first took the ball in is arms and ran with it, thus originating the distinctive feature of the Rugby game, " (Collins 6). There is some speculation and doubt with this theory because of lack of support but it is widely accepted and remains accepted to this day in England and elsewhere.

How A Rugby Field Looks

Freewrite: My Relationship to Rugby

I've been playing rugby since I was a Junior at North Central High School. I had played soccer and basketball since I was seven up until I was a Junior when my coaches for both sports decided, in as few words as possible, I wasn't good enough anymore. So my best friend and I were convinced by another friend to do powerlifting and rugby; you can bet we did. My Junior/Senior years were my happiest because of rugby because there were no politics involved it didn't matter who your parents were, how much money they made everyone was given a fair chance at tryouts, and no one's cut from the team! Both years my team won the state championship and I was named to the Indiana All-State team. I had the best possible coaches, Brenda "Maverick" Adams and Suzi Dillon, who never yelled at you for doing something wrong, or right.
As stated before I play for the Ball State Women's Team, the Flamingoes, not sure where or how the name came to be but that's what we're called. We're very close to our men's team, the Outlaws, and its a very brotherly-sisterly bond we have with each other.
I've played with the Ball State team going on 2 semesters. I've also played for the U20 Midwest Team (Nov. 2007) and at the end of February I will be trying out for the U20 Women's National Team. So my experience is ever growing with rugby.

-"Spence"-

Double-Entry Notes: A Typical Night at WNDC's

1) 6 cars parked along house ---> 6 people live here (4 girls,2 guys) all but 1 play rugby; they're
very close to each other.

2) Couches in horseshoe shape
facing tv playing Guitar Hero,
9 people (guys/girls) are watching---> Guitar Hero is a big thing in this house, funny how
amused they are.

3) Sexual jokes, teasing, sarcasm,
drinking jokes at Brad, play fighting---> Brad only drinks water; very brotherly-sisterly
relationship, yet again very close; people always
smiling/laughing here.

4) In "drinking game room" they have
a plastered body, rainbow pinata, some---> Odd array of items they keep, shows just how crazy
mask, Christmas lights, rules for drinking they can be, but fun.
foosball.

5) One guy brings in beer, seen as a "hero"
others go on a alcohol run ---> They will drink just about anything and they drink
ALOT! hence WNDC's

6) The drinking games are played on a
table top on top of their foosball table ---> They broke their other table, not sure how

7) Slow atmosphere at first; small talk-
nothing crazy yet ----> Typical at beginning until more alcohol comes and
they start the drinking games like beer pong

8) Playing beer pong, Steak and DK,
have one arm bent and the other fully ----> Some sort of intimidation/mocking/sike out
extended at Gonso and Mitch-have
one cup left.

9)1 girl can't hit any cups in beer pong,
blaming it on her shoulder ----> She injured her shoulder; 2 weeks ago she was
playing Chandeliers and she was drunk because
she was on pain medication and drank alcohol- she
swallowed the quarter!!

10) Mitch has a test at 9:30 am and is
going to take it drunk-says he wouldn't ---> Kind of a stupid thing to do but hey I guess its his
feel the same if he didn't choice but he's unaffected by the consequences

11) the chugging song: "Why are we
waiting we could be masturbating?
So drink motherfucker (repeat) ---> A song sung usually during Quarters or
Chandeliers to joke with people

-Kristen "Spence" Spencer-

Groundwork Activity

First:
rugby, military life, physical therapy, exercise lovers, Indianapolis vs. a town

Second:
I play on my college rugby team here at Ball State and I see how my teammates interact with each other on and off the field with different rituals and behaviors, I want to know where some of them came from or why they do them. In order to an outsider's view I have to I have to just sit back and observe what they do with each other.

Third:
I know they drink...ALOT...and I'm not all for that so I have to try and shed light on why they do what they do and keep my biases out. They also do alot of joking that sometimes gets taken too far with some people.

Fourth:
By doing this research on rugby I can open the eyes of people who don't play and explain certain aspects to people who do play and hopefully see my own biases and thinking of the rugby team.

-Kristen "Spence" Spencer-

Box 1: What Subcultures Are You A Part Of?

For our first assignment we had to list all of the subcultures we were in and write on one of them, I chose to do my military family and experience....

Few people know how it feels to be in a military family or have to experience having someone overseas your freshman semester of college, like I do. Tension rises in the family right before the deployment from sadness, anger, and anxiety. "Worry" is the one word that tops your vocabulary and runs your life. From worrying about how the loved one is doing to worrying about how you're going to pay for college, you worry all the time. When that person's gone everything seems to go wrong, then you get used to not having them there. All the while every family member is filled with unmistakable feelings of of patriotism, pride, and sacrifice. We fight the political battles to defend our loved one and attempt to win our own internal battles of carrying on each day as normal as possible. (14 Jan. '08)

Rugger15

How This All Got Started...

"We will be designing our own blogs and websites throughout this semester..." not exactly what I wanted to hear the first day back to campus especially in my English class, which is not my best class nor am I computer or tech savvy. So here's this blog....not sure what to write or say but this is about rugby...anything and everything about it. If there are ever any questions or comments about rugby whether you play or not feel free to leave them on the blog.

GIVE BLOOD PLAY RUGBY!!