Tomas Simon’s rugby journey didn’t start with the traditional recruitment process — it began with a casual encounter at USF.

The health sciences senior was approached by a rugby club member in the USF Recreation & Wellness Center, who told him he should try out for the team. 

Never having played the sport before, Simon said he “absolutely loved it” on his first try, and stuck with the club since his sophomore year.

Simon became president of USF’s oldest sports club at the end of the spring semester, now leading a program rooted in competition, connection and bringing in newcomers.

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A mix of intensity and respect defines the club on and off the field, Simon said.

“Those 80 minutes on the pitch, it’s determined you hate each other,” he said. “As soon as that final whistle blows and the final score is up, you shake hands and everything’s done.”

Simon said that since its founding in 1969, the club has kept its commitment to long-time traditions, such as rugby socials, post-game events and building student connections.

Last year, the club celebrated its 55th anniversary with an alumni weekend ceremony, featuring a match, a banquet and a golf tournament.

The weekend also featured alumni socials and matches that gave past and present members opportunities to connect and play with one another.

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“We had a giant celebration this past year,” Coach Sean Masse said. “We raised a lot of money.”

Masse, who started coaching the club in 2014, did not specify how much was raised.

The banquet charged $35 for students and $85 for alumni, while the golf tournament started at $100 per person.

Masse was a club member from 2006-11 and was a two-year president during that time. 

He also helped found the USF Rugby Alumni Society, which connects generations of rugby players by hosting events such as the anniversary weekend. 

The society participates in USF Giving Week, a yearly event that helps school programs and organizations raise money through donations.

In 2025, the society raised $3,250 over the week. Back in 2024, it earned around $6,000.

The club sustains a culture of connecting with yearly traditions like the alumni match, and Simon said he aims to keep those traditions alive as president. 

Because the rugby club hosts events with other universities, such as FSU and UF, Simon said the community is a place of camaraderie, no matter where players are from.

After every game, both teams participate in post-match socials. They meet, sing songs and go out together at the end of the night.

Despite these social gatherings, the club also values bringing competitiveness to the field. Masse said he strives to keep success within the club and work on the program’s vision.

Under Masse’s coaching, the Bulls won the state championship against UCF in 2019.

The program was also undefeated before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, with a record of 6-0. 

“We were beating teams like 115 points to five,” Masse said. “And, you know, we had a team that would have absolutely competed for the National Championship.” 

The 2025 season brought USF rugby with wins over Florida, UCF and FAU. In those three games, the team totaled a score of 182 points to 20.

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The club maintains its mission of introducing the sport to new members while fostering seasoned players. 

“We want to continue winning, build a program and eventually compete at the varsity Division 1-A level,” said Masse. 

The team is currently in Division 1, while D1-A is the highest collegiate level of rugby, where teams compete nationally.

D1-A is not NCAA-governed and is part of National Collegiate Rugby.

The team uses Instagram to stay connected with new and returning members, and promotes the club through an orientation every fall.

“I’ve been trying to get the word out,” Simon said. “People don’t realize how welcoming the community is until they step into it.”

The club also takes part in the Rec Fest, a tabling event where sports clubs recruit students. Members use this opportunity to introduce the sport to those unfamiliar.

Members also participate in group chats and use Heja, a sports communication app, to stay in contact with coaches and officers. 

Many often share lifting and fitness program updates through text, which helps build motivation across the team.

“It keeps the whole team sort of accountable too, and the guys have fun with it,” Masse said.

With summer training in progress, Masse said the 2025-2026 season gives the club a new year to look forward to — and another year to honor the team’s legacy.