Fifty years of Point rugby: players celebrate a half-century of tradition, fraternity

STEVENS POINT — On the lush green pitch at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 80 minutes of fierce physical battle ends the exact same way it has for five decades: with handshakes, shared meals, and a lifelong bond that spans generations. 

Former Pointers from across the nation returned to Stevens Point recently to celebrate the 50th anniversary of UW-Stevens Point Men’s Rugby. 

The landmark reunion featured a hard-fought alumni match where veterans suited up against the current collegiate squad, bringing full circle a tradition that began in 1976. 

A half-century on the pitch

The reunion match highlighted the enduring physicality and tactical depth of the sport, played under modified 20-minute periods to accommodate the returning veterans. 

While the alumni squad ultimately secured the victory on the scoreboard by a couple of tries, the event served as a living museum of Pointer rugby history. 

Among those in attendance were original 1970s team founders who signed a commemorative auction ball, alongside a 1977 veteran who suited up at fullback to play against student-athletes less than half his age. 

"It's a brotherhood unlike other sports," said Brad "Schlepp" Redwine, who played for UW-Stevens Point from 1982 to 1986. "It’s a worldwide fraternity, too. You can go anywhere in the world and you say you played rugby, and you got friends."

Redwine, who converted from college football to rugby after transferring to UWSP, noted that the game demands a fundamental shift in mindset from traditional American sports. 

While football relies heavily on short bursts of brute force, rugby demands continuous strategic flow, tactical ball control, and mental finesse. 

"In America, every boy raised up with American football... they're rough and tough, but they don't know how to play the game," Redwine said. 

"They play finesse, more mind game oversees.”

Redwine also emphasized the sport’s strict culture of respect toward officials, where only team captains may address the referee. 

"The referee is like your grandma — you do not backtalk your grandma or your mother," Redwine noted.

In rugby, you address the referee as “Sir” or “Ma’am.” In modern play, the word “Ref” is also acceptable as clarified at pre-game briefings.

Legendary lore and nicknames

The weekend was steeped in reflections on the club’s colorful social traditions, from the legendary Arctic Fest tournaments of the 1980s — which drew dozens of college teams from across the Midwest and East Coast to the Starlight Ballroom — to the unique origin stories of player nicknames. 

In rugby culture, eccentric monikers often replace legal names on and off the pitch. 

Matt "Cheesy" Bittner, who played in the late 1990s, earned his name from a Washington Redskins hat and a teammate's joke nickname that was eventually shouted across the pitch by long-time Coach Mike "Willy" Williams who did not like to use nicknames.

Similarly, Drew "Tackleberry" Fietzer, co-captain and social coordinator from 1998 to 1999, earned his nickname from his thick off-pitch glasses reminiscent of the Police Academy movie character.

The team was in transit to an away match to Platteville when he suggested taking over a VFW tank along the way and using it to run over the opposing team’s lines.

That is when “Big Joe” said from behind the wheel of the overcrowded rugby van said, “Okay Sergeant Tackleberry” thus sealing his nickname for life.

At the reunion, Fietzer reminisced that Point Rugby beat some big names throughout their history including LSU, and Ohio State.

They had a lead against Notre Dame with only five minutes to go back in the 90’s.

Fietzer said rugby tournament culture is important because a lot of bonding happens on the road trips.

“In rugby it is customary for the home team to host an after game party where they fee and provide refreshments to the away team. Usually at a park or one of the player’s homes,” said Fietzer.

One spring we took 15 people to Savannah Georgia, for a St. Patrick’s Day tournament. 

We did great, played some Midwest Powerball against East coast teams with a dominant pack. 

It was 60 teams and we finished in the top third. And I should mention we’ve beaten the Badgers many times,” said Fietzer.

In the end, it does not matter what team you face. If you are Rugby, you are a brother or sister.

"All my best friends are my rugby buddies," Redwine said. "They're right behind family." 

That commitment extends directly to supporting the next generation. Many alumni demonstrated the ongoing connection between eras by contributing money to the current college players to assist with team and reunion expenses. 

Serving as a generational bridge

For younger alumni, the reunion highlighted how the program shapes lives long after graduation. Caillou Lee, who played for Point from 2019 to 2022 after starting at Appleton’s Dragon Rugby Club, views his cohort as a vital bridge between 30-something veterans and incoming freshmen. 

After facing personal hardships and academic disruption during the pandemic, Lee reshaped his life by joining the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. 

He credits both the military and the rugby pitch for instilling a shared sense of discipline and camaraderie. 

"I was pretty much like a bridge between them... 'Hey, this is our alumni, and these are the new guys,'" Lee said.

"The memories you make here, you don't ever want to give that up for nothing else." 

Documenting those moments has been a passion for Rizzo Mancuso, chief executive officer and photographer for Badger Kings Rugby Company. 

A former winger for the Fox Cities Gargoyles, Mancuso has covered UW-Stevens Point matches since 2018, donating visual coverage to promote the sport across Central Wisconsin. 

Today's collegiate team has evolved its roster mechanics to adapt to modern competition, running a unified squad model during their Fall 15s competitive season and Spring 7s circuit. 

Current player Justin "Brownie" Roberts — who earned his nickname by eagerly carrying hitting pads for team veterans — noted that the intergenerational bond remains instant: 

"It's like being in the army... no matter how disconnected you are in age; everyone has one common thing... It's an international brotherhood." 

Building a 30-year women’s legacy and youth pipeline

The 50-year men’s milestone coincides with a thriving broader rugby ecosystem in Central Wisconsin.

It encompasses over 30 years of women’s collegiate rugby, a decade of high school play, and expanding youth flag programs. 

The official UW-Stevens Point Women’s Rugby Club was founded in 1993 by Smith Hall dorm mates Carrie "Diamond" Porter and Denise Heimstead. 

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023, the program grew from an informal student club wearing black-and-red kit into a recognized university program. 

In its early years, the women's club received vital support from men’s alumni, including veteran referee Dave Plaisance, who provided instruction and officiated their inaugural match against UW-La Crosse. 

Plaisance was honored with a lifetime achievement award during the 50th reunion festivities. 

"It's great that you covered the event," Porter said. 

"As you know, rugby is a family, and it was so great to catch up to all of the men who were so supportive when we started the team in 1993 and meet the next generation of players." 

Beyond the university, rugby continues to expand across Central Wisconsin. 

The SPASH Girls High School Rugby team — competing under the WI Girls Rugby league — welcomes players from Stevens Point, Iola, Waupaca, Wittenberg, Marion, Wausau, Amherst, and Manawa. 

Coached by a SPASH alumna and a UWSP men’s alumnus, the club offers local athletes pathways to college scholarships and national play. 

SPASH girls' home matches take place at Bannach Field on Sept. 19 and Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. Point Rugby collegiate home games are Sept. 26 vs. Michigan Tech and Oct. 3 vs. MSOE.

To ensure future generations experience the sport, Porter also launched a local non-contact youth flag rugby program for boys and girls in grades 1 through 8, designed as an accessible, low-cost introduction to team athletics. 

"A lot of people don't know we have had rugby locally — 50 years for college men, 30-plus years of college women, almost 10 years of girls’ high school, and now two years of youth flag," Porter said. "It's an inclusive community that once you discover it, there is nothing like it!"