Covid-19 prevented Davenport University from playing any games in fall 2020 but the Grand Rapids, Mich., program was active relative to other collegiate rugby teams. The Panthers athletics department provided the structure for regular, in-person training to occur, and the staff used a season without games to buckle down on skills. The team is still grateful to be able to train in person, but as the spring approaches, the hope is for actual competition – and there’s a good chance that will happen.
Davenport had spent the past few seasons as an independent program competing in USA Rugby’s DI fall competition. But the Panthers let it be known that they wanted to join the DI Big 10 conference, and their petition was finally granted for the fall 2020 season. The DI league aligned with the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA), a partner of USA Rugby, and offered close, quality regular-season competition for which Davenport had craved.
And then Covid-19 put points of ellipses on everything that was supposed to happen, everywhere.
Davenport University authorized in-person training sessions, provided everyone followed the rules – wear masks, sanitize equipment, limit contact, etc. The protocol was tedious at times, but it allowed the team to practice five days per week from September-November.
“We went into the season saying to the kids: Let’s look at the positives,” Teliczan said. “The fall was a great opportunity to focus on better ball skills, techniques, style of play – all those things you don’t have time for when you’re playing games right away. We paid attention to detail – the little things in the scrum, especially in the tight five, that are so important – and we could do all that without interruption. … We were looking really good after three months of training.”
Teliczan indicated that the players appreciated the opportunity that the fall afforded, but they were itching to play.
“But every Monday-Friday they showed up and kept working hard and doing what we asked them do without complaint,” Teliczan said. “But they kept asking until the very end, ‘Think we’ll play?’ You could tell there was some discouragement but it didn’t deter anyone. Lots of sit-down talks to keep the kids focused, but they believed in and played into the system. They also knew it was out of their hands. There were a lot of teams that couldn’t practice.”
Teliczan watched as the majority of Davenport’s Big 10 conference mates struggled to assemble in the fall, and the staff made sure the players understood the fortunate position they were in.
Senior captains Mariah Pruitt and Bethany Gable did a fantastic job setting the tone for the team. And when Olivia Ortiz, now a graduate student, wasn’t training with the USA Women’s National Team in Glendale, Colo., the Eagle served as a prominent role model and mentor for teammates.
“Addy Ochoa and Lily O’Connor are really stepping up – not really verbally but in working hard and showing the kids what we’re looking for at Davenport and how we want to work, and just doing all the extra stuff,” Teliczan praised the sophomore and senior, respectively.
The head coach also called out sophomore Ashleigh DeWitt, who stood out as a first-year and continues to make gains every day.
The leadership is overseeing a larger than usual squad this year, as the Panthers number in the mid-30s.
“Davenport is opening up other [academic] programs and that brings more notoriety to the school,” Teliczan explained the expansion in appeal. “You always want the best rugby players you can get for your team but at the end of the day, this is about their education and whether we have the right programs for the kids. So that has helped [the size] of our recruiting class. It also helps that women’s rugby in the high schools is growing. There’s more potential to reach out to more players, and colleges aren’t going after the same kids – or even if they are, there are just more kids out there now.”
Grace Gohl is just one freshman to watch for once games get going. She picked up the game with Sparta-Rockford, whose coach, Andy Dauser, is now a forwards coach with Davenport.
“She’s fairly new to the game and had a DI track offer before signing with us last fall,” Teliczan said.“Her speed is what enticed me and watching her at practice: She’s electrifying. She’s going to open some eyes. She’s small but she’s incredibly quick and can move, and it’s fun to watch her play.”
Davenport has been building its Class of 2025 and is looking forward to a host of new players, including Aubrey Crist, a scrumhalf from Texas, who is an important pick-up, especially as Ortiz moves on.
While the recruitment for next year’s class continues, the current team is focused on its next playing opportunity.
“The kids just want to play now,” Teliczan said. “They’re not saying, ‘Man, I can’t wait until everything’s back to normal in September.’ It’s, ‘What does April 1 look like? What does April 15 look like? Are we still going to hold our tournament?’
“Everything is up in the air for the spring,” the coach continued. “Jim Estes is the Big 10 commissioner and we’re in constant conversation. He is very organized and on top of everything, which is really nice. Everyone is hopeful for something.”
Originally there was hope for a 7s/15s hybrid season, but that would have had to start in February. A Big 10 7s series and championship have also been discussed, with stops at Iowa, Notre Dame, Michigan and Davenport, but the schedule is already starting to push back. Teliczan estimated that late-April and May tournaments were feasible, but then schools run into finals and the end of the schoolyear.
“We’ll see how that goes, but at this point, it’s all talk right now,” Teliczan said of the uncertainty of scheduling.
Meanwhile, Davenport is looking at other playing options but they’ll likely come in the form of 7s.
“I don’t tell the tight five, or those who don’t play 7s, that they get the spring off [while we play 7s],” Teliczan said. “Everyone is engaged and practicing, so the skills and fitness stay strong. This year, we were looking to send 3-4 teams to every tournament we went to. So they might not be the sleekest, fastest and quickest, but you’ll get out there and play. Typical 7s players are looking forward to it but others are excited, too.”
Teliczan explained that Davenport is totally behind the team playing, so long as they find opponents that abide by the same Covid-19 protocols. Notre Dame College’s Luke Markovich has reached out, so that could be an option.