When Southern Nazarene University announced it would be starting a rugby program back in 2021, few could have imagined how quickly it would grow into one of the most exciting new athletic traditions on campus. What began with little more than determination and heart has transformed into a thriving program competing on a national level and drawing a loyal community of players, coaches, and fans along the way.
Head coach Eric Gilliland was no stranger to building from scratch. After launching the Yukon youth rugby program in 2014, he recognized that SNU, his alma mater, was primed for something bigger. “Ever since I first picked up a rugby ball, I knew more people needed to experience this game,” he explained. “With SNU’s mission and community spirit, it just made sense. I believed if rugby came here, we would be contenders nationally, and that is exactly what is happening.”
The early days, however, were anything but glamorous. Senior player Keziah Segovia remembers stepping onto a field with no bleachers, posters, or a proper pitch. “We did not have a big pitch; it was just dirt,” she laughed. “But being part of the first team meant helping lay the foundation. It was scary, but also exciting because we got to build the culture and watch it grow.”
For Ashley Brooks, an SNU rugby alumna and current coach, being part of SNU rugby felt like coming full circle. “Honestly, it feels like déjà vu,” she said. “I had a front-row seat to Eric starting the Yukon rugby team when I was in high school. I got to witness all the passion and hard work he put into it, and now I am watching him do it again at a higher level, and getting nationally recognized for it. It is amazing to see him use rugby to minister to these kids.”
Being one of the first women on the rugby team, Brooks admitted that joining a brand-new college team came with challenges. “When I got here, I was at least four years older than most of the other players, with more experience in my back pocket,” she expressed. “But Eric kept building that foundation, accepting walk-ons, and patiently coaching girls who had never played before. Within two years, he put them on a national stage. That is incredible.”
One of the Brooks’ best memories was a trip to St. Louis that turned into an unforgettable bonding experience. “We lost pretty badly, but everyone kept their spirits up. Later that night, we all went and got tattoos together. It was bittersweet because it was my last trip, but it showed how close we had become as a team.” Looking back, Brooks also offers wisdom to her younger self and players: “Simmer down and enjoy the moment. You never know when you will play your last game. Do not chase perfection; just lay it all out there and be proud of the effort.”
The program’s growth reflects the resilience of its players. In just a few short years, SNU rugby has expanded in numbers, talent, and competitiveness, recruiting athletes from across the U.S. and internationally. Graduate student Chloe Tarango says the transformation has been inspiring. “We started with nothing, and now we have gone to nationals. To be here from the beginning and see that growth means everything.”
But rugby at SNU is about more than wins and championships. Players describe the team as a family. “We are like siblings,” Tarango voiced. “We might clash sometimes, but at the end of the day, we have got each other’s backs. On and off the field, the bond is real.”
For fans, rugby offers an experience unlike any other sport. Fast-paced, physical, and nonstop for 80 minutes, the game keeps spectators on the edge of their seats. “Rugby is unique, fun, and exciting to watch, even if you don’t know all the rules,” Coach Gilliland conveyed. “There is nothing like watching the ball fly through hands from one side of the pitch to the other at high speed.”
As the team continues to grow, so does its invitation to campus community. Rugby Saturdays are about more than the scoreboard; they are about supporting a program that reflects resilience, teamwork, and school pride.
So, the next time the Crimson Storm takes the pitch, don’t miss out. Come cheer, bring your friends, and witness history in the making, because rugby is coming full force.
Photo provided by: Kenna Franks