ARIZONA NEWS

ASU, BYU rugby squads to face off in Scottsdale on Saturday

Apr 11, 2014, 5:00 AM | Updated: 6:32 am

PHOENIX — Arizona State University will be turning up the heat at the Rugby Bowl in Scottsdale this weekend.

The Sun Devils will take on Bringham Young University on the polo fields of WestWorld Saturday. ASU’s rugby squad debuted in 1975 and has grown into one of the top programs in the country. They are consistently ranked in the top 15 and are currently ranked No. 11.

United Kingdom native and ASU rugby head coach Gary Lane realizes the sport isn’t as popular in the U.S. as overseas, but he said it is gaining in popularity.

“We are very excited for the exposure this event is going to bring to the sport, both locally and nationally,” he said.

Lane said the ASU rubgy team is also known internationally having traveled to Canada and Australia.

Rugby is the fastest-growing collegiate sports for both men and women and a true team sport. Each team has 15 players on the field at a time. They play two 40-minute halves and the clock never stops. It’s similar to football but rugby players don’t wear helmets or pads and there is no forward passing.

Lane is excited to give his players the opportunity to showcase their skills and show off their dedication against BYU, another a top-rated team.

“The Valley has the second-largest LDS community outside of Salt Lake City and BYU has a fantastic fan base,” he said. “They always show up and are a great crowd. We need our Sun Devil fans to put on that maroon and gold and come out to support our guys.”

Tickets to the game are still available at therugbybowl.com. The gates open at 11:30 a.m.; the game begins at 1:10 p.m.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is seen before administering the oath of office to m...

Associated Press

Here are some excerpts of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s Supreme Court opinions

Here is a collection of excerpts from Supreme Court opinions by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who died Friday at age 93.

40 minutes ago

(Colton Krolak/KTAR)...

Colton Krolak

The Mesa Temple Christmas lights continue through Dec. 31

The Christmas light display at the Mesa Temple of the Church of Latter-day Saints is back and free to the public.

2 hours ago

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers inspect a vehicle at the Lukeville Port of Entry on the...

Kevin Stone

Major Arizona border crossing to close, with staffing redirected to catch migrants

U.S. officials are closing the Lukeville Port of Entry on the Arizona-Mexico border Monday to better deal with a surge in illegal crossings.

4 hours ago

Mugshot of Steven Ray Gault III, who was booked into jail for manslaughter after a fatal shooting i...

KTAR.com

Woman dead, man jailed after night of drinking and gunplay in west Phoenix

A night of drinking and gunplay in west Phoenix this week ended with a woman dead and man behind bars, authorities said.

5 hours ago

FILE - Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor poses for a photo in 1982. O'Connor who ...

KTAR.com

Arizona leaders react to death of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

Arizona leaders offered tributes to retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor after the Grand Canyon State icon died Friday.

6 hours ago

Phoenix patrol vehicle with caution tape nearby....

KTAR.com

Teenager arrested in connection with fatal triple-shooting in west Phoenix

A teenage boy was arrested Thursday for a triple-shooting in Phoenix that left one person dead a day earlier.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @KTAR923...

Valley residents should be mindful of plumbing ahead of holidays

With Halloween in the rear-view and more holidays coming up, Day & Night recommends that Valley residents prepare accordingly.

...

Dierdre Woodruff

Interest rates may have peaked. Should you buy a CD, high-yield savings account, or a fixed annuity?

Interest rates are the highest they’ve been in decades, and it looks like the Fed has paused hikes. This may be the best time to lock in rates for long-term, low-risk financial products like fixed annuities.

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

ASU, BYU rugby squads to face off in Scottsdale on Saturday