The Power of the Pitch- 25 years of NU Women’s Rugby

"Rugby kept me at Niagara."

Megan "Megs" Guerra, '04, M.S.Ed.'05, was struggling with being far home and missing a community. And then she saw a flyer announcing the start of a women's rugby team. She didn't know how to play, but she went to the meeting, anyway.

"Twenty-five years later, this sisterhood, this community, is still a huge part of my life," she said.

That meeting in the Kiernan Center with a few former high school athletes who became known as the Founding Foxes, turned into a thriving club rugby program. Although Niagara University had women's teams during the 1980s and 1990s, the one launched in 2000 became the longest continuous women's rugby club team at Niagara. This year, threaded deep with its own culture, values, traditions, and sisterhood, NU women's rugby celebrates 25 years on the Ridge.

"It's crazy to think that so many women have been able to experience rugby because of what we did," said Guerra.

At the beginning, the team flew under the colors of red and black as the Lady Foxes. In the first full year of the program, the Foxes went undefeated in their league, won the state championship in their division, and competed in the national championship.

Guerra likened that first year to "a cheesy '90s Cinderella story" - where a team with no experience goes on to win the big game.

"We had to fundraise to rent a bus, and our parents carpooled behind us," Guerra added.

In 2004, the university backed the team and invited them to fly under the Purple and White as the Lady Eagles. Over the years, the team culture and community grew, rookie/vet traditions were born, and the culture of NU women's club rugby started to form.

"It wasn't about your athletic ability; it was about being accepted for who you were, inclusivity," said Rosalinda Henson, '08.

In 2023, Dave Chapman was brought on as director of rugby. He has been working with former player Maggie Beiter, '23, who now serves as the women's assistant coach, to grow both the women's and men's programs to Division I.

"My long-term vision for NU rugby is to develop a program to grow in numbers, talent, and visibility within the school and surrounding area. I wish not only to compete at the DI level, but also to have a reputation that surrounds inclusivity, teamwork, and uplifting others," said Beiter.

It was about more than just the game for most NU ruggers. It was about building confidence on and off the pitch, believing in themselves and that they could play rugby, when the world was telling them it was a sport for men.

Mentor relationships between veteran and rookie players built a network of trust among the women, becoming the sticks that wove the nest together and establishing bonds that began on the pitch and lasted long after they left Monteagle Ridge.

"Rugby changed my whole life," said Steph Wattie, '14. "Without it, I don't know if it would be as full as it is now. I am Aunt Steph. I attend holidays, weddings, birthdays, and game days, all with my rugby family."

These relationships also bring the ruggers back to the Ridge every spring to spend a weekend reminiscing about the past, celebrating the present, and building for the future. These alumni are community leaders, coaches, educators, nurses, business professionals, sales leaders, military servicewomen, and moms, and are continuing to build a robust network to support current and future ruggers.

"After 25 years, I am still in touch with 90% of the players. When we are back on campus for alumni weekend, it's like we just left yesterday," said Tara Scott, '04.

"Wholeheartedly, rugby is what I will miss most about Niagara," said Meegan White, '24. "Family first always, Fox U Forever."

We ask you to join us this spring on the Ridge to celebrate 25 years of NU women's rugby, and to toast to 25 more years. Click here for information and to register.