By Tyler Webb
In his 11th season at BYU, Coach David Smyth has his team poised and ready to finish among the Unions top teams.
The BYU Rugby team has made a tradition of being one of the best teams in the country year after year. This year should be no exception.
Coach Smyth returns most of his backs and has All-Americans Taylor Nadauld and Ned Stearns, as well as one National Team member in Kimble Kjar to help lead the team.
The team is ranked second in the country by US Rugby Unions behind Cal-Berkeley. They play some of the top teams in the country this year in The University of Oregon and Oregon State. The University of Utah has a good team that always proves to be a good match.
Coach Smyth would like to get his team back east to play some of the top competition in the country.
'To be the best, you have to play the best,' Smyth said.
They would like to travel more, but because they are an extramural sport, their budget is limited.
The budget restraints are so tight, that on road trips the team stays with members of the church who volunteer their homes. In addition, players must pay $125 per semester. The team used to clean the stadium after games to receive financial help. Donations from corporations and families are a big help to them now.
The team also faces a challenge year in and year out in not being able to participate in the post-season tournament. Due to the religious standards they follow, the team will not play on Sundays when the tournament often takes place.
Despite these obstacles, Coach Smyth always has his players ready to compete. Cameron Coop, 24, a senior from Sacramento, majoring in economics said, 'Coach Smyth has known the game for over thirty years...we have full confidence in him.'
The coaches have been getting the players ready with lots of sprints and conditioning. In his fifth year, Jared Kirkwood, 26, senior from Salt Lake City, majoring in psychology and russian said, 'Coach always prepares his players well for the games.'
With all this preparation, it is easy to see why the coaches and players are so excited for this season.
With good mix of youth, experience, and a winning tradition, the team plans on placing atop the Union standings once again.
The rugby team''s next game is September 29 at Haws Field. They take on in-state rival Weber St. All home games are at 2:00 p.m. and the cost is $2.