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We came, we trousted, we celebrated 50+ years of ISU Rugby.

Writer: astahelin
astahelin
Sep 27
3 min read

More than 200 of our alumni gathered for the five-year reunion weekend which, for some sturdy souls, began Thursday night with a BBQ at the men’s rugby house. There an important tradition took place: the passing down of a classic rugby song to the next generation, the particular of which alumni are confident will soon become part of the standard rotation during post-match gatherings (iykyk)...


In all it was a lively and reminiscent weekend, a highlight of which is getting to meet and spend time with the current men’s and women’s teams.  Both showed up in big, enthusiastic numbers for Thursday’s BBQ, Friday’s pub crawl through downtown Normal, and Saturday’s games and festivities. It was agreed by alumni that the future of ISU rugby is in solid hands. 


Saturday shenanigans kicked off with alumni taking on the current men’s and women’s teams. Matches were sir’ed by newest ISU Rugby Hall of Fame inductee, Kelly “Curbside” Romano, imposing in gold sequin shorts. Anyone who wanted to move their body in a less rugby-like way joined in the new favorite, rugby kickball (trademark pending). Finally came a competition for the truly weird: trousting, or, jousting with trout (or an array of other long, slimy, exotic-looking fish as it were). The rest can be explained through the video below. 


The official weekend wrapped up Saturday night at DESTIHL Brewery, a full-scale event space on the outskirts of Normal that most alumni never had the pleasure of visiting as students (probably for the best). In an unplanned but fitting touch, pink and blue shuttle buses carried guests to and from the brewery. Naturally, more rugby songs broke out on board.


DESTIHL proved to be a great home for this year’s banquet, with good beer, themed cocktails like the “Sin Bin,” and even wine for the old souls. Once dinner and the program wrapped up, the dance floor filled with students and alumni moving to old and new favorites and even the young ones surprising us with a line dance to... Cotton-Eye Joe?!


Alumni showed up for ISU Rugby in every way this weekend: buying 50/50 raffle tickets, picking up reunion merch, golfing, BBQ’ing, and giving extra to support the men’s and women’s teams. Together, we raised nearly $10,000 for the teams’ immediate and longer-term needs. That support includes brand-new uprights that will soon be permanently installed at the Gregory Street pitches. 


We also announced the formation of the ISURFC Alumni Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting both teams. The association builds on more than 50 years of ISU Rugby and the work of alumni like Ray Karenas, George LaBanca, Carl Mucha, Paul Tutt, Lauren Chouinard, Kim Brock, Ami Petersen, Ali Avgeris, and so many more who have kept our five-year reunions going. They’ve given us a reason to stay connected, try to relive our younger, better days, and, most of all, help keep the clubs going for generations to come


ISURFC Alumni Association is initially being supported with a three-alumni Board of Directors—Paul Peterson (class of 2001), Annette Stahelin (class of 2003), and Ami Petersen (class of 2002)—along with key advisory roles/committees of alumni being formed around fundraising, events, and communications. But this organization belongs to all of us, and there are plenty of ways to pitch in. You could take a role in 2031(!) reunion planning, ISU Rugby Hall of Fame manager, merch design, organize a meetup or alumni-led training, or share your skills in web design, finance, marketing, fundraising, or nonprofit governance. If something sounds up your alley, reach out!


For alumni who would like to contribute financially, we also launched the Founders Club in tandem with the association’s first year. It’s a way for alumni to provide independent support that can respond directly to ISU Rugby’s needs and opportunities. Anyone who contributes will be permanently recognized as a Founder of the ISURFC Alumni Association. Learn more about the Founders Club.


Thank you to everyone who came out and everyone who continues to support ISU Rugby. We can’t wait to see you again. Until then, here are a few ways to stay involved:



P.S. We could use some more 2026 reunion photos -- here is a sampling below. If you have photos to share -- from this past reunion or other ISU Rugby history, you can upload them here.




 
 
 

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