Difference between revisions of "Kwai Nyu Rugby"

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The Kwai Nyu Rugby Club is the rugby club of Saint Louis Priory School, in St. Louis, Missouri. The team was founded in 1956 to provide an alternative to the mind-numbing, conformist regimentalization which dominates North American sports. Since its foundation, the sport of rugby (which in its truest form embraces all the core concepts of anarchism) has grown into over a dozen teams state-wide, has held 19 state championships in a row, and gained international noteriety as 'ambassadors of anarchy' to the sporting community around the world.

The Kwai Nyu Ruggers--known in 1956 simply as "The Rebels"--started out under the direction of Fr. Timothy Horner, O.S.B. Having come over to America to found a preparatory school, the British monk-teachers were utterly unfamiliar with United States sports, and so started a rugby union team. For seventeen years, the Rebel Ruggers went undefeated. Today, under the inspired coaching of Fr. Augustine Wetta, Andy Wenger, and Paul Wood, the team continues to build on its noble heritage.

The name, Kwai Nyu is simply, the name Rebel in Ebo, the dialect of a small, noble, warlike tribe from northern Nigeria. The Ibo are one of the few Catholic tribes in Nigeria, making them extremely devout Christians, and also extremely tough. As one of the early coaches was from this small tribe, they sing the chant in his honor. Kwai Nyu is the only high school athletic team in Missouri history to go undefeated for nineteen consecutive seasons.

TEAM RECORDS

† THE OLDEST HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY TEAM IN MISSOURI HISTORY

† THE ONLY HIGH SCHOOL TEAM IN MISSOURI TO GO 17 YEARS AS STATE CHAMPIONS (1959-1978)

(Source: In Good Soil: The Founding of Saint Louis Priory and School 1954-1973 [517 pages, Saint Louis Abbey Press].)

The Tin Can Rugby Tournament

According to local history, the Tin Can Tournament is the oldest and most renowned high school rugby tournament in Saint Louis, Missouri. "Founded in 1502, in what was then known simply as "Cahokia," two Native American sons of the Cahokia Indian tribes fought bitterly over a bloated pig heart, then used as a "ball" of sorts for indigenous games. The argument spiraled out of control, culminating in the brutal dismemberment and death of one of these brave warriors. Every year thereafter, the event was commemorated by a gathering and athletic games, eventually resulting in the area being named Creve Cour (or Broken Heart) by the French settlers who carried on the tradition. Pig hearts being unavailable, French children settled for reenacting these events with a tin can. For hundreds of years, the athletic event went uncommemorated until, in 2003, it was resurrected by the Kwai Nyu Rugby Club, and quickly evolved into a Pan-State event, attracting teams from as far away as Jefferson City and Kirkwood."

Whether or not this historical anecdote contains any historical veracity, it does in fact convey the spirit of the tournament, which is informal, but always energetic and exciting.

http://fraugustine.priory.org/Rugby%20Sites/TINCANTOURNAMENTSHIRT.htm

The Coat of Arms

The coat of arms is based on the Coat of Arms of Saint Louis Abbey, the monastery which owns and runs the Priory School. It traces its roots back to the coat of arms of Westminster Abbey, and is registered with the college of heralds in Great Brittain. It is also known as the "Priory Shield". Certain elements of the original coat of arms have been modified: a rugby ball for the white rose, a set of rugby posts in place of the fleur de lies. But the original colors, and the blue "river," representing the Mississippi River, have remained the same.

http://fraugustine.priory.org/Coatofarmspage.htm

File:Small Rugby Shield copy.jpg

The Kwai Nyu Chant

In 1995, a dark and mysterious stranger came out to guest coach the Priory Rebel Rugby Team. He was as black as the night, as large as a mountain, and as fast as lightening. His name was Edu, and he had newly immigrated to the United States from Nigeria, where he had played rugby from the earliest age. His leadership was an inspiration, and his guidance came at a time when the team was looking for someone with great leadership qualities. Before he departed for the seminary, he taught Kwai Nyu this song, an untranslatable Ebo war chant known simply as "The Elephant Song." He revealed the meanings of the words to the team on the condition that they not be repeated to anyone who was not a member. Thus, the true meaning remains shrouded in the mists of secrecy.

ENNE MBA ENNE!
TZABUA!
ENNE MBA ENNE!
TZABUA!
ENNE MBA ENNE!
NWAKEI!
ENNE MBA ENNE!
NWAKEI!
ENNE MBA ENNE!
TI!
YA!
TI!
YA!
TI!
YA!!
KWAI NYU!
YA!!!

Current Opponents of Kwai Nyu

• DeSmet Jesuit High School
• Chaminade/Kirkwood High School Red Devils
• Francis Howell Central High School
• Jefferson City Nightmare (Combined Team) http://www.jcrfc.org/
• St. Louis University High (SLUH)/Christian Brothers College (CBC) Druids
• Eureka High School

Current Members of Kwai Nyu

Players are listed with their full name, their current position, their alternate club (if available), and any awards they have obtained.

• John Cook faggot of the year (FOY) 2015
• Liam Sehnert, Hooker/Prop, Boyer of the Year (Players Award), 2014
• Robert J. Ciapciak, Fullback/Captain, Paul Wood Award (Most Outstanding Member of Backfield), 2004 Rookie of the Year, 2005-2007 MVP, USA/Missouri U-19 Rugby, St. Louis Bombers RFC
• Bradley "BT" Taylor, Prop, Andrew Wenger Award (Most Outstanding Member of Scrum), Missouri U-19 Rugby
• J. Taylor Streiff, Weak Side Wing/Fullback, Sunday Morning Rugby Club (Rugby Sevens)
• Mark Haar, Scrum Half/Flanker, 2006-2007 Rookie of the Year (Coach's Award)
• Anthony Savio, Weak/Strong Side Wing, 2006-2007 Rookie of the Year (Player's Award)
• Joseph Jordan, Strong Side Wing/Fly Half/Scrum Half, 2005-2006 Rookie of the Year (Player's Award)
• Charles von Brecht Mulvihill, Fullback/Wing
• James Olmstead Arnold, Inside Center
• Alexander Kluesner, Outside Center, Missouri U-19 Rugby, 2006-2007 Paul Wood Award (Most Outstanding Member of Backfield)
• Patrick Dutton, Fly Half, Missouri U-19 Rugby
• Edward Pennington, Hooker/Flanker, Missouri U-19 Rugby
• James Mangano, Prop
• Lee Aguera, Flanker
• John Pfortmiller, Flanker/Co-Captain
• Kevin Donnelly, Eight Man/Co-Captain, 2005-2006 Rookie of the Year (Coach's Award), Sunday Morning Rugby Club
• Isaac Wooley, Second Row, 2006-2007 Most Valuable Player (Player's Award)
• Gabriel Lee, Second Row
• Zachary Knippel, Flanker
• Paul Monahan, Flanker/Eight Man/Hooker
• Ryan Lenz, Weak Side Wing
• Matthew J. Schulz, Team President/Manager
• Michael Mosbacher, Devoted Fan #1
• Philip Fonseca, Devoted Fan #2

Coaches:

• Fr. Augustine Wetta, O.S.B. Head Coach
• Andrew Wenger, Forwards Coach/Assistant Coach
• Paul Wood, Backs Coach/Assistant Coach (Current head rugby coach of Washington University, and head official of the Missouri Rugby Football Union)
• Martin D. Combs, former Forwards Coach (Current head football coach of Saint Louis Priory School.)

Notable Alumni

• Ben Noll (2001), Prop, Currently playing offensive line for the Detroit Lions
• Sean Flachs, Scrum Half, Currently playing for West Point Academy
• Andrew Steck (2006), Inside Center, currently playing for Boston College
• Will Moran (2000), Second Row, U.S. Naval Academy
• Phil Kemp (2004), Starting Scrum Half Columbia University
• Pat Human (2001), Trinity College, Toronto "Dogs of War" -- Won the College Club Rugby Ontario Championships--
• Robert J. Ciapciak (2007), Fullback/Wing, Member of USA U-19 Rugby and St. Louis Bombers RFC -- Youngest player (16) to score in a Rugby Super League (US) match; will attend Villanova University

External links

• Saint Louis Priory School official site
• Official Team Site
• Missouri Rugby Football Union
• Sunday Morning Rugby Football Club