2. A former supervisor of intramurals and head rugby coach at
Springfield College in Massachusetts, Patrick Van Amburgh spent
two seasons leading his team to victory on the pitch, as well as an
appearance in the playoffs in fall 2004. Balancing his coaching
activities with MEd coursework in psychology, Patrick Van Amburgh
helped the Springfield College rugby union team build upon a
storied tradition that dates back to 1892.
3. In recent years, Springfield College men’s rugby has grown under
the direction of head coach and exercise physiology PhD candidate
Daniel Jaffee, who previously coached the team in 2007. Following
a one-loss season in the 2011/12 academic year, the team attracted
a significant number of players to practice, averaging 25 to 40 in
fall 2012. A member of the New England Rugby Football
Union, Collegiate Division III, Springfield College plays in the
Southern Conference against the University of Hartford and Trinity
College, among other teams.