After losing to Bowling Green in the National Tournament, Allen Tessmer was disappointed but felt the future of ISU Men’s Rugby Club was bright.

The 37-12 loss to Bowling Green ended Tessmer’s chances of ever capturing a Division I AA National Rugby Title, as he is the only member of the club who will not be returning to the team next season.

For the past year, he has led the club on the field as its team captain and saw his teammates grow as rugby players. He said all the experience the team gained during this time has him optimistic about where the club is headed.

“I am just excited for where the team is going next,” Tessmer said. “From where it was when I first joined to where it is now, I can’t be anything but happy about how the club has grown.”

Many new members joining the club do not have prior knowledge of the sport. This causes ISU coach Malcolm Robertson to have to teach the fundamentals of rugby before moving on to more advanced techniques.

Robertson said now that almost all of his starters will be returning in the fall, he has the opportunity to focus on more than just the basics.

“When I start getting a team that I can develop technically and training them, coaching them on the finer points of the game, we have the ability to move ahead,” Robertson said. “And I have been able to do this with this squad.”  

Robertson also thinks the club will be more mentally ready for the upcoming season. He said he believes his players will be more confident because they know what it takes to get to nationals.

The loss of Tessmers means the club will have to fill his leadership role. Anthony Frein, who is the club’s president, sees this as an opening for the younger players to fill this void.

“We have a lot of young guys on team,” Frein said. “We need to just continue to grow up and mature as a team. I feel we took a step this year, and that is what got us to [nationals], because we grew as a team instead as a bunch of individuals.”

Some players will continue to gain experience throughout the summer as they have opted to play in summer leagues. Frein, said this will help the club be physical ready and help keep its members’ skills sharp.

The club may already be getting ready to make a run in nationals next season, but Robertson is still proud of his team’s accomplishments in the present.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my guys,” Robertson said. “They played with passion, throwing their bodies in the tackle and putting their bodies on the line. The thought of giving up never crossed their minds.”