1974: Season of Success
Although attempts were made to continue the Rugby club at Trinity after the 1968 match, no real success was documented until 1974 when Chuck Butterick lead his team to a divisional title and second-place winner of the state. The 1974 team became a close-knit bunch that spent quality time learning and practicing the game. They enjoyed the game and the traditions that came along with it, one of which was “partying.” One article written in the Trinity University newspaper by Tom Wallace interviewing one of the players demonstrates this notion, “Another aspect is the sort of traditional partying that goes on before, during, or after the game. Some guys come more for the party than others, some guys are more serious about playing. Either way, you can get what you're looking for” (Wallace, 1978). The partying aspect of rugby is an American phenomenon that his highly practiced in college clubs even today. Tony Collins, in his book The Oval World (A Global History of Rugby), explains how the restlessness of the 60’s and 70’s made the partying aspect of rugby an integral part of the game, further freeing the players from “political controversy.” “Much of its appeal was based on its reputation for being played by those for whom partying was at least as important as playing” (Collins, 2015).