Renee Ovrut

Renee Ovrut served as Lions president in 2005 and 2006, led the team to a National Div. II championship in 2002 (as well as Nationals appearances in 2004 and 2005) and helped turn the Four Leaf 15s into the juggernaut that it is today. She took a break from New York and the Lions to study (and play) in England. Renee, 27, is working towards an MBA--and her “Blue”—at some university called Oxford, which apparently is like a SUNY in England.

She took a few moments to share an e-pint.

A PINT WITH: What was your fall season like? How does it compare to the Lions and rugby in NYC?
RENEE OVRUT: In one word, fall season was tough. I had a really hard time adjusting to a new team; I still am, actually. Because my program is so time consuming, I make two of the four weekly practices, can’t play in some of the away games and don’t go out socially with the girls, which has hurt me the most.

We play in the premier division of BUSA (British University Sports Association) and didn’t have a great fall--going 1-3 in league play. The team is better than that—we have some really good players and a great deal of potential, but we’re not meshing on the field. However, if the friendly we played about a week ago is any indication of how this term will be, then we’re off to a great start.

On March 10th, we have our Varsity Match where we play Cambridge. If you play in that game, you get your Blue, which is a pretty high distinction here at Oxford. (When I told the administrators in the Business School I was playing a varsity sport, they told me that there was no way I was going to be able to get an MBA and continue on varsity--I’m determined to prove them wrong…)

The actual rugby here is quite different. Because the majority of my teammates are undergrads, they only have about two years playing experience. Their rugby “instinct” isn’t developed and they rely on their speed or strength, rather than confidence in their plays. We’re up against some amazing teams in our schedule--the University of Wales could easily compete with a U.S. D-I team; I’m told that most of their girls are premiership or national players. Overall, though, it’s just a different game--collegiate versus club--both the Lions and Oxford are top teams in their respective divisions, but I think player experience is really what sets the teams apart.

Nothing compares to Lions rugby. Some of my closest friends are Lions and I’ve had some of the best (and worst) times of my life with the club, both on and off the pitch. You don’t find people like the Lions anywhere; not every team is a family. I do miss the club tremendously, and I’m constantly on top of what’s going on back home; Meg Collins KNOWS to have her phone on immediately after any game because I’m going to be calling wanting the review…

However, the greatest thing about Oxford rugby is our home pitch--it is the most beautiful, regulation sized pitch I have ever seen and with proper uprights! Furthermore, it’s just for the women’s varsity rugby team; we have a clubhouse too! That is a nice change from Randall’s…

APW: Describe your local pub in detail...
RO: My local, I would have to say, is a pub called the Oxford Retreat. It’s local to the Business School, but we basically live at the Business School, so the Retreat qualifies as my local… The food is great and the beer’s cold. It’s a nicer pub than most, there’s a bit of ambiance with the lighting and leather couches, but it works. Plus it’s open ‘til 1 am…

My other local would have to be the King’s Arms, your typical English pub, which is technically my “local” since it’s so close to my flat. Great food, great beer, you always see someone you know there, etc.

APW: What's the reaction to a female Yank rugby player over there? Are the British surprised to hear that a chick from NYC plays rugby?
RO: There really has been no reaction from my teammates; I’m one of two Americans on the Varsity squad and apparently there are usually a few more (typically exchange students doing a semester abroad). Also, one of our coaches is American (former Eagle Matt Sherman). In general, my teammates are more surprised I’ve played so long… until they realize that I’m older than them.

My classmates have the greater reaction, taken aback that rugby is as popular as it is in the US, and that a “chick from NYC plays rugby.” Women’s rugby actually seems to be more popular in the US than some “rugby” countries. My classmates, though, are really supportive of my playing; a couple will show up at home games (which are on Wednesdays), though at the aforementioned friendly, I managed to conjure up a decent “fan club.”

APW: Will you be getting your “Blue?”
RO: You bet your ass I will!