HISTORY
Twenty years ago, the Wildcat Rugby Football Club was born on the Shores of Lake Erie with practices at Edgewater Park and matches at the Cuyahoga County Airport. A rag-tag group of 20 kids and a motley array of coaches, they were told that there wasn't any room for their sport at Saint Ignatius High School. They persisted and became known as the "Ohio City Warriors." Over the next 8 years they steadily grew the interest and participation from the boys of West 30th and Lorain.
As numbers increased to more than 100 players, Father Bill Murphy S.J. finally brought the club into the school and turned the "Warriors" into "Wildcats" as the 17th varsity sport in the spring of 2013. Since then, the program has won eight State Championships and even a National Championship. Our alumni speckle collegiate rosters across the country with several even being selected to represent the United States internationally. Most recently, Juan Pen '18 and Ricky Rose '19 were selected in the 2023 Major League Rugby Draft.
We are most proud of the formational aspects of our rugby club and the impact that it has had on the lives of our community. Since our initial tour of Ireland in the Spring of 2015, hundreds of players and parents have experienced the world abroad in the unique way that only sport can bring about. Whether it was the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul, anthems in France, a world class competition in South Africa, Easter Mass on Croagh Patrick in Ireland, or a Karaoke bar in Japan...our fans and families have forged friendships and memories that endure to this day.
RUGBY BOOSTERS
The Saint Ignatius Rugby Boosters play a vital role in supporting and enhancing the overall experience of the Saint Ignatius Rugby program. Comprised of dedicated parents, alumni and community members, the Boosters collaborate with the coaching staff to raise funds, organize events and provide resources that contribute to the success of the rugby team.
These enthusiastic supporters often engage in activities such as feeding the players, organizing team-building events, coordinating travel arrangements for tournaments and fostering a sense of community among players, families and fans. The Boosters foster a spirit of camaraderie and ensure that our student-athletes have the necessary backing to thrive both on and off the field.
The Saint Ignatius Rugby Team is more than just a group of players, it’s a brotherhood built on discipline, teamwork and tradition. As our team strives for excellence both on and off the field, we rely on the generosity of our supporters to make every season unforgettable.
