After placing 2nd in 7s and XVs in the Southwest Collegiate Rugby Conference (SWC) and competing a Development XV in the Lone Star Conference, St. Edward's University has decided to leave the SWC and focusing on long-term stability in the Lone Star Conference.
In a letter to the SWC and the Texas Rugby Union on Friday, April 19, 2013, St Edward's wrote:
"This is the official notice that St. Edwards University Rugby Football Club will be leaving the SWC and playing solely in the Lone Star conference for the 2013-2014 season.
"SEURFC would like to sincerely thank the SWC for an exciting year of Rugby, one in which we enjoyed success finishing 2nd in both the 7's and 15's portion of the conference. During the past season all members of the SWC were professional, genuine, and truly kind to SEURFC.
"The decision to depart is strictly based on what SEURFC feels is best for the club. Our decision to return solely to the Lonestar conference comes with complete University backing and support. When SEURFC was founded 4 years ago the original members made a commitment and a goal to reach the Division 1 level and compete with the best teams in the State of Texas. Having accomplished this goal the team is now moving in a direction of long term stability by solidifying itself in a conference which can lead to national competition with other universities the size of St. Edward's .
"SEURFC wishes all members of the SWC the absolute best and we thank them for allowing us to compete against and with them this past year.
"SEURFC would like to thank all of the administrative members of the SWC and furthermore, single out Mr. Clayton Jewett to thank him unconditionally for his hard work and dedication.
"SEURFC wishes Rice University luck as it represents the SWC and the State of Texas in the national playoffs."
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| SEU scrum against TCU in March 2013 |
SEU sets lofty goals every year: Win their conference and compete for a national championship. For 2013-2014 these goals include winning the Lone Star Conference and competing in the NSCRO playoff structure in both 7s and XVs.
To accomplish these goals, SEU has restructured their coaching staff a bit for next season. Lachlan Ferguson remains Head Coach and Director of Rugby. Assistant Coach Brannen Ellyson moves to the position of Team Manager to focus on the inner workings of the club as well as raising a brand-new Ellyson family rugger! Finally, SEU welcomes Steve Corcoran as an Assistant Coach. Coach Corcoran is an Irish-Australian flyhalf/fullback brought up in the ACT Brumbies Youth System. He also played in the English Premiership for Bristol before retiring.
To improve their 7s prowess, SEU wants to compete in the SWC and ARC 7s tournaments in the Fall. For XVs they intend to schedule matches against the University of Texas (an intriguing and natural inner-Austin rivalry), out of conference matches against SWC and ARC teams (Rice and Texas A&M stand at the top of that list), and they hope to set-up a home-and-away series with their sister school, Notre Dame. Since both schools were founded by Father Edward Sorin of the Brotherhood of the Holy Cross, perhaps a Father Edward Cup series could be in the future?
