January 10th, 2012

The Deadbirds are coming back from the break with something to prove. After a disappointing 2011 campaign, they are ready to prove they once again have what it takes to win some hardware. With a core set of returning players, the Deadbirds have a strong chance to win the South Championships.

This year marks a new era in UNF Rugby. With UNF moving into the Division III rankings playing schools such a Miami, Eckerd, and Florida Gulf Coast, the Deadbirds have a strong chance of making it to the Division III National Championships. "We held our own againist bigger teams and now we have our eyes on a National Championship." said Alex Mross, president of UNF Rugby.

With the club hosting the Knights this Friday in preparation for the new season, they will prove once again how they hold up againist a Division I team. Be sure to check out the website for updated scores throughout the season.

Written by: Tristan Morhous

October 15th, 2011

The UNFRFC Deadbirds have had a tough couple of weeks during the start of the Florida Cup season. It all began as the Deadbirds traveled to Orlando to... play the UCF Knights. The A-side had an extremely hard-fought match, and great phase-play during the game. After eighty minutes the Deadbirds were just a hair behind their opponents. Soon after, the B-side took the pitch to show UCF what is to come in the next few years. The B-side played a great game and left the pitch victorious.

The next weekend the team traveled to Tavares,FL for the All-Florida Weekend. It was a weekend packed with games. On Saturday morning, the A-side took on the University of Miami. The game was extremely intense, with the score going back and forth throughout the entire eighty minutes. When the final whistle blew, the Deadbirds were behind by just 2 points. Later in the day, the B-side played FSU. The rookies got to show what they were made of during this challenging encounter. After a well played game, the B-side came out on top with a significant lead. All-Florida weekend wrapped up with an early morning game on Sunday against FIU. The Deadbirds held together and fought until the end, but walked off the pitch behind in points.

After a whole weekend of All-Florida Rugby, the boys had the privilege of hosting the All-Navy team at Deadbirds Land for a Tuesday night friendly. With a crowd of over 100 watching, the boys fought a large All-Navy team. The boys had great scrums, rucks, and mauls and learned quite a bit from the experienced Navy team.

After a great week of rugby, the boys continue to practice and rest up as they prepare to take on UF this weekend in Gainsville. It is sure to be a great showdown for the boys. As always, keep up to date on all your DEADBIRD news and events right here at unfrugby.net.

Written by: Trevor Cheatham

October 15th, 2011

As Florida Cup season is right around the corner, the UNFRFC Deadbirds are working hard and playing harder on the field. This Fall semester has shown a good showing of rookies and retuning veterans, along with a new coaching staff run by Head Coach Rich Allegar, Forwards Coach Chris Luyster and Backs Coach Joshua Longenecker (who, along side Rich, are former Deadbirds). The Deadbirds will look for captains Steven Hill and Steven Krueger to lead them all the way to the top of the Florida Cup.

The Deadbirds preseaon has the team looking brillant and hopeful to get to the Florida Cup playoffs. During the preseason, the team has seen many rookies step up their game and show their newly found love for the sport of rugby with their brothers. With big wins against newly formed FGCU Eagles Rugby (26-5) and UNC Greensboro (52-7) and a close first match against Daytonas Mens Rugby (14-13) the Deadbirds head into their first Cup play against a Strong UCF Rugby side.

It is sure to be a great season of rugby for the UNFRFC Deadbirds as new talents continues to emerge from the young and the old. The starting XV should be stronger than ever and the developmental XV only keep getting better and hitting hard. Be sure to keep up with all the lastest updates from the BIGGEST, DUMBEST and UGLIEST ruggers in JAX.

Written by: Steven Krueger

July 7th, 2011

The Florida Rugby Union has released their proposed schedule for the Fall 2011 Florida Cup Championship series. The colleges are split up into North and South divisions.

Representing the North: Florida, Florida State, Central Florida, North Florida. For the South: Miami, Florida Atlantic, Florida International and South Florida. Each team will compete with everyone in their division, as well as a few other teams in the other division.The top two teams from each division will play for the Florida Cup Championship November 19th in Gainesville, FL. For updated information about the point standing.

UNF was proposed to get at least three home games not including exhibition games. For more information about the points system throughout the season, check out varsityrugby.com

CHECK OUT OUR SCHEDULE

Written by: Tristan Morhous

June 18th, 2011

After a rough decision, UNF has decided to join the Southern Collegiate Division II Conference. If you did not know already, Collegiate Rugby in America has been growing with the exposure of the National Collegiate 7's Tournament as well as the newly expanded College Premier League.

With their expansion, comes some changes in college rugby throughout the United States. An offer was made for teams in Florida to join the South Independent Division I Conference. Teams like Florida State, South Florida, Central Florida and Florida Atlantic are amongst the teams that will be joining the league.

With a new set of leadership evolving with the Deadbirds, UNF has decided to stay Division II for now, until we are better funded and prepared for such a leap. The Florida Cup schedule will still stand, but in the Spring, we will be playing schools such as Ave Maria, Eckerd College, Miami and Florida Gulf Coast, to advance to the Division II National Championship.

Written by: Tristan Morhous

February 22nd, 2011

UNF would travel once again to Orlando, FL to play the undefeated FIU Panthers. Alot was in stake at this game. If UNF would lose, it would knock them out of contention for the Division II Playoffs. The Deadbirds were willing to take the challenge as they entered the field on a warm Saturday afternoon.

In the first couple minutes, UNF seemed hestitate to the unknown FIU, but after that, the team started to click. Good forward movement and tight rucks is what gave UNF the advantage. Minimal knock-ons and amazing back play is what started to give UNF an edge.

Final score 45 - 17 UNF. The Deadbirds will host rival FAU this Saturday at the UNF Practice Soccer Fields. Kick-off is set for 2:30pm. Come out and support your local collegiate Rugby Team.

Written by: Tristan Morhous

January 13th, 2011

With the final schedule posted for the spring season, the Deadbirds have begun their fight for a D2 Title. With multiple big opponents and two tournaments, the season will be both exciting and challenging.

Coming off a 5-3 fall season and a huge victory over USF to finish it off, the Deadbirds are thirsty for a title. They will be facing USF again as the season-opener on the Bulls own turf and returning back home to face FAU. With only two home games, the Deadbirds will be taking their talent all over the state to play some of the biggest names in Florida rugby.

Spring practices have begun and are looking very promising, with returning veterans and some great new talent. So come out and support UNF as they work their way into this exciting season, and makes sure to check back frequently for updates.

Written by: Alex Mross

November 15th, 2010

The Deadbirds come back from Tampa with a win, to finish off the Fall season (5-3). UNF traveled to USF with limited players but played hard enough to get a memoriable win.

With the last few contests against USF being extremely close, UNF used their fitness and continious forward movement to pull ahead in the match. The first try was scored in the first minutes in the game by Travis Jacobs to give the Deadbirds an early lead. After that point, limited penalities and teamwork seemed to help to Deadbirds get the victory.

With players being injuried, the Deadbirds had to turn to some first-year players to step up and fill spots. Some players even came out with their first tries scored in their short rugby career. Just goes to show what teamwork and discipline can accomplish. Great game Deadbirds!

Written by: Tristan Morhous

November 8th, 2010

The old and young battled it out for a full 80-minutes on a cool November night. The Deadbirds finally got to settle the score Saturday Night as the current Deadbirds and former Deadbirds played a good-ole game of rugby.

The high scoring game was definitely something you should have not missed. Each team using everything they had to produce tries. Alot of big hits were made but in the end, it was the younger Deadbirds that came out victorious.

ALSO, The University of North Florida will be holding a three-day International Rugby League Tournament this coming November. The Atlantic Cup will feature teams from U.S.A, Canada & Jamaica. Some UNF Alumni actually play for the two teams. On the U.S.A. Side, Apple & Taco Pope, and, for Canada, Mark Hanke. For tickets and more information about the Tourament, check out http://www.jaxaxe.com

Written by: Tristan Morhous