ALFRED, NY – Entering into their second season as a program, the Alfred University men's rugby team is set to begin rugby 15s in the fall of 2025.
 
Last year, the Saxons had only 13 players on their roster. Now with 21 players, Head Coach Dale Russell looks to take AU to the next level.
 
"During the first season of the program, the fall was challenging," he said. "We didn't have enough people yet to play rugby 15s. With the new guys coming in, we're able to play rugby 15s. The level we're playing is much higher than where we were."
 
Two of the players returning are Chevon Adriaans (Paramaribo, Suriname/SGS) and Phillip Peterson III (Auburn, NY/Auburn). Coach Russell has seen tremendous growth from them since joining the team in the inaugural season.
 
"Chevy spent all summer working hard and getting better," he said. "It's shown in our preseason camp. I am expecting to see that growth shine on the field. Phillip found rugby late in the fall semester of last year. This will be his first true rugby 15s season. He is improving and it will be exciting to see him play a new role."
 
Other returnees include, Ehab AlQtam (Malah, Yemen/Newcomb Central), Joseph Bodley (Le Roy, NY/Caledonia-Mumford), Hector De La Rosa (Williamson, NY/Sodus), Eddie Hart IV (Wilton, NY/Saratoga Springs), Israk Hossain Zidan (Dhaka, Bangladesh/BNMPC), Tinashe Mberesi (Beitbridge, Zimbabwe/Mwenezi Gvt), Levar Moore (New York, NY/James Monroe), Nurs Nurgali (Taraz, Kazakhstan/Okemos), Gabe Simone (Acton, MA/Landmark) and Nathan Towne (Ellenville, NY/Ellenville Jr/Sr).
 
Simone is also a member of the Alfred University men's track & field team.
 
The Saxons also bring in eight newcomers to the 2025-26 roster. They are Shehab AlQtam (Malah, Yemen/Qurum International Private School), Maximus Coelho (Poughquad, NY/Arlington), Zachary Cuddy (Whitman, MA/South Shore Vocational Technical), Tenzin Dawoe (Thimphu, Bhutan/Malden Catholic), Tavien Dowaliby (Dover, NH/Dover), Thomas Hann (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park and River Forest), Shamar Imang (Paramaribo, Suriname/Ewald P. Meyer Lyceum), Ayomideji Israel-Akinbo (Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa/St. Andrews College) and Ky Simson (Brooklyn, NY/Erasmus Hall).
 
"I'm excited to see the growth in the returners," Coach Russell said. "Seeing how much they've improved from last fall and even the spring. We are in a unique spot where a lot of the new guys are coming in and starting on day one. There's some weight on their shoulder. For them, is that they're stepping up. I'm looking to see some leadership from them while making the transition from high school to college rugby."
 
The goal for the Saxons this fall is to play all their games on the schedule. AU plays in the Lake Effect Rugby Conference. Fans can catch the Saxons in four home games at Yunevich Stadium. The Saxons open the season against Colgate University on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 11:00 AM. AU will also host three contests against Ithaca College (9/27 at 6:00 PM), Le Moyne College (10/3 at 8:00 PM during Homecoming Family/Weekend) and the University of Rochester (10/17 at 7:30 PM).
 
The Saxons play their first two road games at SUNY Brockport (9/13 at 11:00 AM) and Buffalo State (9/20 – 3:00 PM). The rugby 15s season will end at SUNY Geneseo on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 4:00 PM.
 
"In our conference, each opportunity is to play, get better and learn," Coach Russell said. "We're hoping that our regular season can help us grow and develop to be ready for the playoffs."