Men’s Rugby
The men’s rugby club is always looking for more students to join the team and anyone interested can contact the club president, Owen Pica for more information. Students can also visit the club’s OwlNet page, https://keene.presence.io/organization/mens-rugby, for more current information about the men’s rugby club specifically about the spring 2023 season.
Formed in the spring of 1972, Keene State men’s rugby has been training players of all abilities to play the game of rugby for over 40 years. Our staff advisor is a former KSC player and was the head coach from 2003-2019. The team competed in the 2010 NSCRO nationals in Virginia Beach and placed second in the country.
No prior experience is necessary and, in fact, many of our players have never played the game before arriving at Keene State.
During the fall season, the team participates as a member of NERFU-North Bracket of the Challenge Division. In the spring semester, the club typically participates in several tournaments against other clubs.
To inquire about joining the team for 2022-23, please email:
Club President: Owen Pica: owen.pica@keene.edu
Head Coach: Ely Thayer: ely.thayer@gmail.com
Advisor: John Johannesen: jjohannesen1@keene.edu
SPRING 2023 SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 1 @ University of New Hampshire - time TBA
Saturday, April 8 @ University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth - time TBA
Saturday, April 15 & Sunday, April 16 @ Babson College, NERFU 7’s Series
Saturday, April 22 & Sunday, April 23 @ Beast of the East Tournament (RI)
Sunday, April 30 @ Curry College - time TBA
FALL 2022 SCHEDULE
Sunday, September 18 at Curry College - won 83-0
Saturday, September 24 - home vs. University of Maine-Farmington - won 48-21
Saturday, October 1 - home vs. New England College - won 87-7
Sunday, October 2 - KSC Men’s Rugby Alumni Game
Saturday, October 8 - home vs. University of New England - won 40-23
Sunday, October 23 - at Nichols College - lost 15-0
Saturday, October 29 - at Merrimack College - won 82-0
Fall Post Season Championship
The KSC Men’s Rugby Club qualified for the Men’s Small School Challenge Division Play-offs following their 5-1 record in the NERFU-North Bracket of the Challenge Division. The team won the Challenge Cup Championship Saturday, November 12, 33-28, avenging a regular season loss to Nichols College.
Challenge Division Play-Offs - Semi-final Game
Saturday, November 5
Keene State at Trinity College - won 21-12
Men’s Small College - Challenge Cup Finals
Saturday, November 12 - Pine Banks in Malden, MA
Keene State vs. Nichols College - won 33-28
Keene State next represented NERFU in the National Collegiate Rugby Northeast Challenge Bowl Series, November 19 & 20. Tournament location was Pine Banks in Malden, MA.
NCR-Northeast Challenge Bowl Series
Saturday, November 19
- Keene State vs. SUNY-Maritime - won 17-5
- Keene State vs. Bryant University - lost 12-5
Sunday, November 20
- Keene State vs. Mass-Maritime - lost 10-7
- Keene State vs. Lemoyne University - lost 17-7
KSC Men’s Rugby finished fourth in the NCR-Northeast Challenge Bowl Series
Home games are played on Joyce Athletic Fields on campus – coming into Keene, turn onto Wyman Way off of Main Street and park in the farthest lot at the end of Wyman Way next to the Recreation Center/Spaulding Gym. Joyce Fields are across the river to the left of the parking lot.
Dogs and alcohol/drug consumption are prohibited on the athletic fields during club sport games.