Honor God, honor each other, honor yourself. These words represent more than just a motto for the men’s rugby team; it’s a belief, an experience no post-victory joy can buy and perhaps above all else, a humble reminder that a game, like rugby, is a gift to behold, far exceeding a style of play or the best on-field action.

Such heart and drive paid huge dividends for an up-and-coming rugby squad coming off its best matrix season - a year in which high moments, clutch plays and valiant efforts became familiar themes for the twenty-five dressed in black and burgundy.

“This season went very well for all of us…our greatest improvement would be our brotherhood that we are creating. The guys love each other and they would do anything if a fellow player needed help. Our team has progressed amazingly from our previous matrixes. Not taking anything away from our alumni but this year we really stepped up to the plate and put Lee University on the map for the USA Rugby South,” said president Jason Shrable.

While men’s rugby may have not have strung together a double-digit winning streak or won the South Title in 2008, the team found something else that will prove far more meaningful in the matrix seasons to come.

“I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what God does in the program in the coming year…we’re only losing one senior to graduation, so we’re looking at a pretty strong Fall and Spring team,” said Jacob Lepard, a sophomore pre-med major.

This year’s team faced the toughest agenda in Lee Rugby history, with matches against upper division powerhouses such as Mississippi State and University of Louisiana-Lafayette; yet despite the increase in schedule difficulty, the Flames still managed to pull off some impressive conference wins. With a young nucleus intact, the team continues to lay foundations for the future, and upon reflection, many players have big expectations for 2009.

In a grueling match-up against Tennessee Tech, the team further demonstrated its character, dedicating the game and game ball to Dr. Paul Conn and in memory of his father, Dr. Charles Conn. The team played the match with black mourning stripes on the left sleeves of their jerseys to commemorate Dr. Conn’s recent passing.

“We dedicated the ball to Dr. [Charles] Conn because he lived his life the way that we are trying to live our lives…he honored God, and helped us see the importance of honoring your fellow brothers and honoring yourself,” added Shrable.

Dr. Charles Conn’s life truly exemplified the heart and soul of the Lee Rugby team, a unit who placed passion, servanthood and selflessness above winning. Although the team would end up losing a tight battle to Tennessee Tech, the game left lasting impressions in the minds and memories of every player and participant. With a determined roster coming back next season, expect better results and greater outcomes than what was witnessed the past four months.