Kennedy May Contribute To Crimson Rugby Club

Aides to Senator Edward M. Kennedy '54 (D-Mass.) said yesterday that the senator is considering making a contribution to the Harvard Rugby Football Club. The club needs $10,000 for airfare to Monterey, Calif. to defend its spot in this weekend's national intercollegiate rugby championships.

The Harvard Club won its way to the Final Four with a 9-3 victory over Virginia Tech Sunday in the Eastern finals in Philadelphia. With that victory in hand, the Crimson ruggers turned their attention to their next main obstacle--raising the $10,000. The source of the funding is still in question but the club has tentatively made airline reservations to California.

Citing procedural difficulties, the Undergraduate Council last night refused to vote on a rugby team request for funding. (See Council story below). Rugby player and council member Thomas S. Heintzman '86 said that the council decision might doom the team's hopes, but Charles S. Weeks '85, president of the rugby club, was more optimistic. "There are too many other (funding) options," Weeks said.

If they get funding from the University it is likely to be a small amount because rugby is a "club" and not a varsity sport. When a team makes a national championship, travel expenses are usually covered by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, but rugby is not an NCAA sport.

The Rugby Club turned to Senator Kennedy because he was a former rugby captain at Harvard and he has made contributions to Harvard rugby in the past.

"His aides seemed sympathetic with our situation, but they'll have to talk to the Senator first," said Weeks, president of the club.

"The University might be able to help but not to the tune of $8-10,000," said Weeks, adding that University officials said they might be able to act as a middleman for a bank loan that the rugby players could work off during the summer.

For last weekend's Philadelphia tournament, the University gave the club over $800 for bus costs.

Asheuser Busch company paid for the players flight to Dayton, Ohio three years ago for the same national tournament where Harvard captured a silver medal behind the University of California at Berkeley, but this year the beer company is channeling its funds into publicity and television for the event.

The United States Rugby Union, which sponsors the championship, has provided inexpensive housing ($5 a night) and a free banquet for the ruggers, but is unable to finance the transcontinental flight.

The sponsor of last weekend's matches, the Eastern Rugby Union, has arranged a 20 percent discount with World Airways on plane fare, but even with the discount each rugger will have to pay $385.

"If Harvard can't go then we'll try to send another team, but at this point I know all the guys are going to put all their effort into this." said Michael A. Michado, president of the Eastern Rugby Union.

The Rugby Club is also approaching the Rugby Foundation in Boston, and last night appealed to the Undergraduate Council for possible means of support.

Last year University of California at Berkeley Rugby was in a similar situation when they had to fly to Athens. Georgia for the national tournament. They received $2.500 from their university and funds from the student council, alumni and the Pacific Union according to Steven Anderson, a former Berkeley rugby player.

Harvard rugby has travelled to Hawaii, California and England on their own fundraising efforts.

"We've gotten really good receptions at those places because of our affiliation with Harvard," said Weeks