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.