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Bumps, bruises and lifelong friendships

Story and photos by Matthew Bin Han Ong, Comm '12

To most of North America, rugby probably conjures up much of what football brings to mind — roaring crowds, agitated coaches and a bunch of brawny guys anticipating their next sumo smackdown.

The scene at Marquette's Valley Fields during a  women's rugby game really isn't all that different.

“It just goes to show that women can play the sport and play it well. I believe women possess the skill to play any sport and maybe play it even better,” says team president Katherine Bourne, who, when not plowing through law and criminology textbooks, stands her ground against rookies who take turns tackling her in twos on the field.

Founded in 1994, the Marquette Women’s Rugby team is one of the oldest women’s club sports on campus. The team has played in Iowa, Michigan and Nashville and will be going to Georgia in spring 2011. The women recently beat University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 105-0.

Bourne says her best memories at Marquette are from rugby games and the ensuing socials.

“It’s the people and the fun of the sports — the camaraderie of all the girls on the team keeps me going,” Bourne says. “We’ve got each other’s back, we’re a second family away from home, and I want to give new girls the same warm and welcoming experience I had as a freshman.”

It didn’t take Bourne long to learn what being an athlete meant after her team was defeated in her first game. Shocked and surprised that nobody had any bitter feelings, she realized it’s all about teamwork and fun — not who won or lost. Bourne attributes these precious lessons to coach Shannon Bustillos, assistant director of the Department of Recreational Sports.

Bustillos founded the team when she was an undergraduate. A member of USA Rugby and one of the two female coach educators on the International Rugby Board, she coached at various universities before returning to Marquette in 2008.

“I returned to Marquette because it’s not the same elsewhere. I love it here and I love my team — they’re probably the girliest team I’ve ever seen in my 16-18 years in the game!” Bustillos says. “Besides, it is also heartwarming to see Marquette alumni regularly come to support the team at their games.”

Kathy Sokalski, Eng ’04, is one such fan. Sokalski, who was team president during her last two years at Marquette, supports the team in many ways — not the least in helping fund the team’s new jerseys.

“During my time at Marquette, I spent a lot of time with rugby. I want to see what I was once a part of and helped build continue to be successful. I’d like the team to reach their maximum potential,” Sokalski says. “Simply put, I do it because I love it — the bumps and bruises will fade, but the friendships last a lifetime.”