BGSU men’s rugby continues winning legacy with MAC championship victory

The team beat rival University of Louisville 34-33 on Saturday to advance to Division I-AA national championship quarter-finals

The Bowling Green State University men’s rugby team clinched its 41st Mid-American Conference Rugby championship on Saturday with a thrilling 34-33 victory against the University of Louisville, continuing its legacy as one of the top rugby programs in the United States.

The team overcame a 20-point deficit early in the match and scored with zero time on the referee’s watch to beat their rivals and reclaim the conference championship from Louisville, who has held the title for the past two years. 

Part of the robust club sports scene at BGSU, men’s rugby has a long tradition of winning, having won the MAC Championship consecutively from 1981-2021. They finished the season undefeated in conference play.

“With the history of the club, there’s a lot of pressure to hold ourselves to a high expectation,” said BGSU junior and team captain Joey Apel. “Being a part of the team that brought the MAC back to Bowling Green is something we are all extremely proud of. It is my first time being able to hold up the MAC Championship, and I am beyond grateful for everyone who is a part of this club for helping us get here.”

BGSU senior and club president Kosta Anderson added, “Coming back from being down and finishing it off with the last try was electrifying. It was truly a storied series of events that I will remember forever.”

The Falcons will face Clemson University in the Division 1-AA National Collegiate Rugby Championship quarter-finals at 1 p.m. on Nov. 23 at Roger Mazzarella Rugby Field at BGSU. This is the 17th consecutive year BGSU men’s rugby has competed in the national finals.

BGSU won the National Collegiate Championship in 2018.

BGSU men’s rugby is considered to have one of the longest championship-winning streaks in collegiate athletics at any level within MAC rugby. The program’s storied reputation consistently draws students from across Ohio and the country to BGSU, eager to join the historic team.

Aware of the club’s winning tradition, BGSU junior and club vice president Ben Young said reclaiming the MAC title always has been the goal.

“The win on Saturday was something I’ve dreamed of since I joined this program in 2022,” he said. 

Club sports at BGSU, part of the University’s top-ranked student experience, empower students to pursue their athletic interests at a Division 1 school while earning degrees in relevant, in-demand academic programs.

There are more than 40 club sports teams this fall, including men’s, women’s and co-ed. More than 700 students were part of a club sports team during the 2023-24 academic year.

Despite facing adversity this season, BGSU senior co-captain Phil Tracey said the team was determined not to let external challenges dictate their performance, a lesson reinforced by assistant coach Austin Morris.

“I’m very proud of the fight the boys put up,” Tracey said. “We knew Louisville had a great team, and it was going to be a battle, but we never let up and got the job done. I’m very proud of our performance and this team’s accomplishments so far, but now it’s time to set our sights on the national championship.”

Head Coach Tony Mazzarella, who has led the team since 2009, commended his team for the hard-fought victory against a competitive Louisville.

“It was an intense back-and-forth game, especially in the last 15 minutes,” Mazzarella said. “I’m proud of our team for giving it their all until the very last minute expired and bringing the MAC championship title back to BGSU.”