One man’s triumph is a team’s loss for the ISU men’s rugby club as graduation draws near.

Dan Gazda, graduate student in chemistry, has been coaching the rugby squad since the fall of 2000. He will complete his education at Iowa State by graduating this winter. The team is left with the gaping hole once filled by an admired leader, players said.

“He had a winning percentage better than 70 [percent], and he took us to the playoffs four years in a row,” said Jim McBreen, president of the men’s rugby club and senior in electrical engineering.

Gazda’s coaching also helped the team nearly upset No. 1-seeded Ohio State in the Division I Collegiate Midwest Rugby tournament on Nov. 1.

Coaching “has been one of the best experiences of my life,” Gazda said. “On the field, I’ve been able to watch new players develop individual skills, see individuals come together as a cohesive unit and share the success of the resulting team.”

Off the field, Gazda said, he has admired watching players grow and mature. He has developed many strong friendships as part of the team.

“The best part about coaching is knowing that you’ve had some small role in the success of your players. There’s a strange feeling that hangs around the sidelines following a great match, regardless of the outcome,” Gazda said.

Gazda said the worst aspect of leading the rugby team was seeing, and feeling, the disappointment of the team when a crucial match slipped away.

McBreen said he has nothing but praise and thanks for his coach, but he added that the team still needs a new leader.

“We need someone with experience and time,” he said.

A general understanding of the game and the desire to expose new players to rugby are the basic requirements to be a coach, Gazda said.

“Depending on your level of commitment, there are classes available through USA Rugby to further your knowledge of the game, but they aren’t required to start out coaching,” Gazda said.

Graduating brings a “mixed bag” of emotions to Gazda at this point.

“On one hand, I’m definitely looking forward to finishing my education and starting my career,” he said. “On the other hand, I’ve really enjoyed my time here at Iowa State, and coaching men’s rugby has been a big part of that experience.”