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• Rookie 1 - Teamwork
  Being a rookie means most importantly, teamwork on and off the field. Because rookies are the new team member's, they can relate to one another, therefore they need to stick together. You're all going through the same things and new experiences, so you need to be there for one another. In my rookie semester, being a rookie means - FUN! Playing and learning rugby has been great. The feeling I get when I stop on the field for a game is unexplainable. There are no words for it. I know that whenever I play rugby it will always be this way, but never the same as it was my rookie semester. It was so new and so different than any sport I've ever played. I think the best part about being a rookie is all the fun you have. We have spent so much time together, and there's defiantly been arguing but I have had so much fun. I already have 1000, memories and it's only the first semester. I've met so many awesome people. So thank you to my Big Rugger's, and the vets and especially the rookies.
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• Rookie 2 - Meeting Friends
  Being a rookie means meeting friends you will probably have for the rest of your life and becoming like sisters it also means having the most fun you will ever have. I have had the time of my life. I enjoyed meeting all the girls that were in my rookie class. Rugby has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me so far at college, and this semester has to be the best, even thought its not over.
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  "You can learn new things at any time in your life if you're willing to be a beginner. If you actually learn to like being a beginner, the whole world opens up to you."~Barbara Sher

• Rookie 3- Learning
  I think being a rookie means learning. Since the beginning of the season I have learned a lot of things about rugby and life in general. I learned that it is easier to run where you are going and walk when you get there; even in the scariest situations all eight of us pulled together and worked as best we could; even thought we thought we would never make it through 6am practices we did. The activities week is one of the best things we could have done. It has brought us to a whole new level in our friendships. Sure there are times when we want to scream at each other but we work through them. Life is full of ups and downs, we are learning to deal with them together.
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• Rookie 4 - Meeting Friends 2
  Being a rookie means creating bonds with seven people who will become some of my best friends forever. Also becoming friends with the vets and have them lend me a helping hand through out this semester. I'm lucky to be a rookie right now because not only did I get a big rugger but I also I got a great friend.
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  When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

  
  

• Rookie 5 - Learning 2
  For me, being a rookie has been a learning experience. From the first day when I arrived at the field for practice, I was a bit overwhelmed by the abundance of things that I was going to have to learn. As the season continued, we all began to bond as a rookie class, learning the tendencies of each girl, and also at times learning how to tolerate them. I will admit, though we do have our problems at times (which is inevitable with 8 girls) we are an awesome rookie class and have learned to stick together and help each other out in tough times. We have stuck together more times then I can count, and because of that the friendships that I have made with all my rookies are priceless. Being at the complete bottom of the food chain has defiantly been a learning experience that we have all had the pleasure of sharing. These are all memories that I will always keep with me, and never forget along with all the friendships I've made this season. This also especially means my memories with the vets as well. Everyone is always there for you, I really do know now that I could go to any teammate on the team if I ever needed to talk, which is a wonderful feeling that in all reality I didn't think would ever be possible. Now that the season has come to an end, and the activities are almost finished we are about to learn the next aspect of rugby...being a vet. I along with all the other rookies, are looking forward to meeting the rookies next semester so that we'll be able to look at them and say all the things the vets told us..
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• Rookie 6 - Respect
  Growing up, I was always taught to respect my elders. Not just by my family, by I can recall conversations spent with my friends in eighth grade about how we were going to be going into the high school and when we got there that the worst thing we could possibly do would be to back-talking to an upperclassmen. (Later, as seniors, our conversations turned to how disrespectful freshmen had become and how they had such nerve to talk back to us. "Disrespectful punks...." But the way I felt about being a freshmen is much the same way as I feel about being a rookie. I'm coming into this team knowing nothing about the sport even less then I did in high school, or the traditions, and I rely on those with the experience to show me the ropes. It's kind've the same idea as "don't bite the hand that feeds you" Because I wouldn't know my ass from my elbow if it weren't for the knowledge, guidance, and advice passed on to me from those who have come before me. To me, being a rookie means not only paying respect where it is due, but being grateful for the guidance we're receiving. Honestly, I refuse to be one of those "disrespectful punks"
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  The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one. ~Elbert Hubbard

• Rookie 7 - Poem
  First semester I tried something new
  Aunt Betsy said Rugby was just for you
  
  I packed up my backs and to Castleton I came
  Who woulda thought I'd be in such a jam
  
  Hard at first, I swear it was
  I'll tell you the story, just because
  
  Going from captain to pure chipped meat
  I swear I was gonna chop off my feet
  
  I'm not very shy, but at first, but at first it was scary
  You girls were rugged, tough and kinda merry too.
  
  I knew the road was gonna be tough
  But hey, I thought I might just get buff
  
  The doubts passed on the first game at the pitch
  The feeling I got just couldn't be missed.
  
  I've played other sports, even hunted
  But rugby was the best kick I've ever punted
  
  it took me a little longer than other rookie folks
  To make myself comfortable, to unpack my tote
  
  
  But being a rookie you can't beat
  Although sometimes it feels you got kicked with a cleat
  
  You learn what it's like to be part of a team
  Way better than you'd ever imagine or dream
  
  The ruggers I've met will always be remembered
  Even in the long, cold nights in December
  
  I couldn't get a greater or smarter rookie class
  Wait, did I say smart-that was just for laughs
  
  Just kidding girls, you are the greatest
  Even you Michelle-definitely the latest
  
  I thank you all now for everything you've done
  I've realized that being a rookie means having fun.
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