Coach Miccio's words to the team

Times like these remind us how many of our Maddog brothers have dedicated their lives after rugby to the health and security of the world. Our ranks are filled with soldiers and healers. We’re very proud and humbled to be in your company.

This spring season will always be remembered for its anticlimactic end, and it’s especially disappointing for our seniors. We’d like to leave you with the words Coach Alex Miccio gave the boys as the reality of the outside world set in:

“We often talk about how this club is built on the efforts of the players that have gone before you, and that the first XV is strengthened and pushed by the efforts of the second XV. I feel like often times that rings cliche and is small solace for the guy who is graduated without his championship or the guy who is fighting to reach that first XV spot and just isn’t quite making it yet.

“At times like these, when I look back at what this club has accomplished, and where it has come from, and where we have the potential to go, I believe… no, I KNOW that this club IS built on each and every member. Each and every one of you should be proud of what you have accomplished with this club. For those of you who won’t get the opportunity to bring our ultimate goals to fruition, hold your heads high, because you have done so much, on and off the field, to bring this club to the elevated position we currently find ourselves in. To the rest of you: the responsibility is now yours. You need to be even better than they were. Standing on their shoulders we WILL achieve our goals.

“I speak for the coaches when I say that we are so proud of all of you. For those of you whose journey at NU is over, thank you for being exemplary men and rugby players. For those of you who are returning, the bar has been set high, and we expect you to raise it even higher. LET’S GO!”

1-2-3 MADDOG!

We’re also building a Maddog history, season by season. If you have stories, rosters or photos from your era, please get in touch.