The humble beginnings of the rugby program date back to 2005 when fellow alumni Dan Arbeznik ’00, Tony Vegh ‘73, Brian White ‘92, Connor Fitzpatrick ‘95, Brian Sabolik, ‘00, Robert Ciresi ‘95, and Danny Guion ‘96 banded together to start a team known as the ‘Ohio City Warriors.’
While the initial rosters of Ignatius Men numbered merely in the low-20s, the club has since flourished and now boasts more than 170 players competing annually on one of the premier teams in the United States. With seven Ohio State Championships, your team recently made history this past May as the 2022 National High School Champions. This marked the first time in school history that an athletic team won a National Championship on the field of play.
Since its establishment as a full Varsity program in 2013, your team has blazed trails across the country and globe. The Rugby Cats became the first Ignatius team to compete on foreign soil in touring Ireland (2015, 2019) and France (2017, 2022). They have since visited Istanbul, Turkey en route to playing on the grounds of South Africa when they competed in the prestigious World School’s Festival in Paarl in 2018. This Spring will see a new frontier as they head to Japan.
As such, hundreds of students, parents, and supporters have been blessed with the incredibly rare opportunity to play for their school and country while experiencing different cultures, making friendships and kindling a love for the world beyond West 30th and Lorain.
Great things have been accomplished in a short period of time. It is with this same spirit that we launch the Warrior Rugby Capital Fund.
The name pays homage to the true founders of the club, the students and parents of the original teams, who played for and supported the program from 2005 - 2012. The vision enables the club to solidify itself as a leader in the national and international rugby sphere.
Major capital projects include the purchase and development of a rugby-focused facility to house events such as home matches, practices, youth development, and alumni gatherings. This facility will enable the program to attract preeminent competition from around the country and globe. This includes annual events such as the High School Nationals, Midwest Championships, and State Championships as well as a multitude of other opportunities. With the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups coming to the United States such a facility will help establish Saint Ignatius High School as a lead candidate to host an international team in the competition.
Your participation - no matter what level or amount - will guarantee the legacy of Ignatius Rugby lives on for generations. We all know how much rugby means to each of us, our lives, and our families. The Warrior Rugby Capital Fund is your way to ensure future Men for Others receive these same experiences and more.
Please consider making a donation using our form below.