History

Rugby originated at the Rugby Boys’ School in England in the 1820s. The game was first introduced when an English football player picked up the ball and ran it into the goal during a live soccer match. The other team tackled him and from then on the soccer players found it more fun to have full-contact. From there it grew.

The JBU Rugby Football Club, or JBU Rug-bees as they were called, was started by two rugger enthusiasts, Tim Thomas and Rob Albertson, who broke off from the University of Arkansas Rugby Football Club in the spring of 1981. On April 11, 1981 JBU defeated the U of A in the clubs first full side scrimmage. The U of A later helped JBU get their start in the Ozark Union. The ruggers played their first full season as part of a rugby union in the 1982-1983 season and were very successful finishing with a record of 4-1. In the early years of the club members did not have to be JBU students and had to pay their own dues for traveling to matches, buying equipment, and other necessary fees so the club could compete. Not until the 1983-1984 season did the club receive university assistance and funds.

Since its beginnings, the JBU Rugby Football Club has seen a great deal of success nationally including trips to the Western Regional Tournament, with its best finish of 2nd place in 2004. JBU Rugby has been crowned Collegiate Division I Ozark Union Champions several seasons including 1992, 1993, 1995, and 1998, and Collegiate Division II Ozark Union Champions in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005. The Rugby Club has also taken International Tours to Kenya and Ireland.

*Note: All schedule and results information is based on the combination of research information found in past JBU Yearbooks and Threefold Advocate articles. All Yearbook and Threefold Advocate articles are in .PDF format.