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ASU Women’s Rugby Team Wins State Championship

Team Competes in Regional Tournament This Weekend ASU women's rugby team

Story by Blair O’Briant

This past November, the AHO Women’s Rugby team from Appalachian State University tackled their way to become the North Carolina state champions. The team’s final win was against the women of UNC Chapel Hill, a team that has been unbeatable until now. This weekend, the team will compete in the regional tournament, entering the competition as the number two ranked team. A win this weekend will put ASU’s rugby women into the National Sweet 16.

AHO Women’s Rugby became a club sport at ASU in fall 1997. Dr. Ken Muir has been the coach ever since the team’s start. Muir was headed to the male rugby team’s practice at State Farm Fields one afternoon when he saw a group of girls standing with a rugby ball. He headed over to the women and asked if they needed a coach. The rest is ASU rugby history. “I really enjoy working with the women,” Muir said.

Any female student is eligible to join the team, and many current members, as well as Muir, are responsible for recruiting players. While 15 players are on the field at one time during competitions, the team usually has between 30 and 35 players each year.

Muir, a certified coach and national referee, played rugby for many years in Blacksburg, Va. Muir said women tend to have better technical form than men when it comes to rugby because men enter the game with a football mentality.

Muir said the highlight of this past year was the win over UNC Chapel Hill to become the new North Carolina state champions. “It was huge for them to beat Carolina for the first time ever—especially for the seniors,” Muir said.

Heading into the regional tournament this weekend, Muir has great confidence in the ASU women. “They got the monkey off their back when they beat Carolina,” he said.

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Muir credits the success of his team to the dedication of the players, especially the graduating seniors. Muir said the team has a perfect mix of players this year with five seniors, and a great mix of juniors and underclassmen.

Muir also credits the team’s success to the trust they have for one another, as well as the trust they have in their coach.

Boone Baglery, Café Portofino and Black Bear Books sponsor the team.