Photo via Morehouse Rugby

By: AJ Crumbley, Staff Writer 

After claiming second place in the 2023 HBCU Rugby Classic hosted at Howard University, Morehouse Rugby is again catching fire. From March 31 to April 2, the tournament featured HBCUs nationally. Despite playing with a limited roster, Morehouse showed tenacity and teamwork ability against the Howard Bison.

Morehouse won the first match against Howard 12-10 and lost the second match against the Bison 5-0. The second match was the championship game, falling short of reclaiming their once-held HBCU Rugby Classic Champion title from 2019.

In 2015, Morehouse’s rugby team became the first at an HBCU. Eight years later, six other HBCU rugby programs have started at Prairie View A&M University, Howard University Men and Women Rugby team, North Carolina A&T, Florida Memorial University and Texas Southern University. Now, Morehouse Rugby is beginning to gain recognition. 

Morehouse’s team was initially called The Blacksabers in 2015. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program reached a hiatus. However, over the last three years, Morehouse alumni have helped the club to the foundation previous club members laid in 2015.

Although it was an excellent showcase for the Morehouse College Rugby team, they faced adversity by each player having to buy their plane ticket. Furthermore, the tournament required 10 players on the field at once, and Morehouse only brought 11. Howard had 20 players.

Morehouse’s practice and dedication on the field reflects the spirit of Morehouse College. They strive to continue showing resilience and prove they are worthy and respectable opponents.

The Blacksabers aim to grow their team with the rise and popularity of Rugby. Morehouse Rugby has been a club since 2015, however they are looking to establish the program with NCAA at Morehouse. Caleb Cole, one of the players said, “they are trying to represent Morehouse as a pioneer of Rugby and a team that can compete on a higher level”.

Copy Edited by Auzzy Byrdsell