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-
Monday, March 31, 2008
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-
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-
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
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-
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-
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