Question 1

Are you sure donations goto Rugby?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  Boston College Campus Recreation maintains a DONATION PAGE for all their club sports.  The field:  “I wish to give my gift to:  choose” allows you to select “Mens Rugby” or “Womens Rugby”.  Campus Recreation maintains individual operating accounts solely for the Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams.

Question 2

Does it go to the Men’s or Women’s team?

Accepted Answer

Your donation will go into the operating account of the team that you choose.  Both Mens and Womens options are available on the DONATION PAGE.

Question 3

How does the team get funds from their operating account?

Accepted Answer

Historically this has been the confusion for players and alumni.  Rugby is a Club sport and Campus Recreation exists to provide scaffolding and support for the student led programs.  Campus Recreation has a very structured process and point system for the student leaders to plan and submit budgets.  As the students meet key milestones their scoring increases and enhance the probability of increased budget.  To date actual budgets are additionally strained by the assets in the capital accounts.(Thus, a main push of Alumni donations)

Question 4

When can the team get funds from their operating account?

Accepted Answer

The team and Campus Recreation - like well-run businesses - actually set seasonal budgets.  This leads to complications when a donation arrives mid-season and the donor expectation is those funds will be distributed immediately.  Budgets have already been agreed upon and locked thus, immediate distribution is operationally problematic.  To date those funds are held until the next budget cycle.

Question 5

What is a Rugby endowment?

Accepted Answer

A rugby endowment is a large donation from an individual or entity to Boston College where Boston College invests the capital and passes ~5% investment gains into BOTH the Mens and Womens rugby operating accounts.

Question 6

What are the current Rugby endowments?

Accepted Answer

As of February, 2018 there are two rugby endowments totallying $350,000 - the largest of any club sport.  
Peter J. Mulligan ‘95 Rugby Fund
Kealy Family Endowment.

Question 7

Can I donate directly to one of the Endowments?

Accepted Answer

Yes or you can start your own.  Drop us a line and we will directly introduce you to BC Development which has its own set of perks.

Question 8

What’s up with the Seminary fields and Shea Field?

Accepted Answer

The Seminary is now called Brighton Campus and the fields are now the Yawkey Baseball and Softball stadiums.  The Yawkey Family made a generous $25 million donation.  Shea Field is now the brand new varsity training facilities and indoor football practice field.  As a result, the team has lost their practice and game fields.

Question 9

When do the teams practice and play?

Accepted Answer

Generally, practice is 2 days a week as that’s all the field time available. The practices are usually Tuesday and Thursday, from 4 to 6:30. The challenge the teams have as the Fall season continues is daylight disappears and practices get shorter.  Lights are a major issue. The teams are told that lights are not allowed on the Newton Campus which means practices in October are around 45 minutes with sunlight and the remainder in the dark until it becomes too dangerous.

Question 10

Where do the teams practice and play?

Accepted Answer

The teams appreciate the use of Alumni Stadium for games and Newton soccer field for practices.  However, it is reasonably disruptive moving practices back and forth on two campuses. This affected Men’s turnout numbers dramatically this year.

Question 11

How does Campus Recreation support the 2 seasons (Fall and Spring) of Rugby?

Accepted Answer

The problem the team has when it comes to the spring season is that club sports make the team pick one season as a priority season.  As a result, the Spring season preparation for National 7s and other tournaments is done on basketball courts.  All spring club sports are given priority.

Question 12

I heard Harvard Women now have a Varsity team?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is accurate.  They also have a new field.  Harvard Men benefit from this.

Question 13

Can the Women’s team ever become a Varsity program?

Accepted Answer

Title IX makes this a possibility but not in any current plans.

Question 14

How do I buy BC Rugby gear?

Accepted Answer

Alumni is actively working with Campus Recreation and the BC Bookstore to increase the options for BC Rugby.  Importantly, a % of profits from rugby gear goto the Mens and Womens rugby operating funds.

Question 15

I need to get in touch with an old teammate can you help?

Accepted Answer

The Alumni Facebook Group is a good option.  Or drop us a line and we can check the database.

Question 16

How do I submit a team photo for the site?

Accepted Answer

We grab photos off the Alumni Facebook Group but also feel free to drop us a line.

BOSTON COLLEGE RUGBY ALUMNI

Frequently asked questions