SIU Rugby Alumni Team Up to Kick Off Development Camp for the Salukis

This September, SIU Rugby alumni returned to Carbondale—not just to reminisce about their playing days, but to help launch the current men’s team into their season with energy, knowledge, and confidence. What unfolded was a collaborative Development Camp, organized by alumnus Joe Lasky, that brought alumni expertise and student passion together in a way that’s shaping the future of SIU Rugby.

Building Trust, Building a Camp

For Lasky, the idea for the camp wasn’t born overnight. “Having coached SIU in the past and played under a few player-coach systems, I understand the difficulty of trying to start the season off on the right foot with new and returning players,” he shared. “We worked the past few years to really develop a relationship with the men’s club in which they saw us as partners and an added value to their team.”

That trust paid off. Instead of alumni just “helping out,” the current players invited them in, knowing their support would be meaningful and impactful.

Learning on and off the Pitch

The weekend kicked off Friday night in the classroom, where players sharpened their understanding of the game’s fundamentals. Luke Mathews introduced the 1-3-3-1 offense before moving the group to the pitch for a walk-through. At the same time, Dr. Brione “Bubba” Locket met with the executive board to discuss maintaining a strong relationship with SIU and keeping funding opportunities thriving.

Saturday was all about skills and systems. The morning focused on the basics—passing, ball carrying, tackling, and rucking. In the afternoon, Steve McKinstry worked with the forwards on scrums, lineouts, and contact, while Derek Mohler focused on kicking, kick defense, and backline plays.

The camp closed with a scrimmage against the Royal-Ramblers of St. Louis, coordinated by McKinstry. New players were eased in with a session of touch before the game opened up into a full scrimmage. The referee even paused play to teach along the way—turning competition into an extension of the learning experience.

Goals and Outcomes

Lasky explained that the camp had two clear goals:

1. Build a strong rugby foundation. This meant making sure every player, from seasoned veterans to complete newcomers, left with a baseline knowledge of skills and systems.

2. Empower team leaders. Alumni focused on setting up player-coaches and captains for success. Every drill, session, and conversation was designed to be something the leaders could replicate and build on as the season unfolds.

In short, the camp wasn’t about alumni taking over—it was about equipping the current team to lead itself.

Why Alumni Stepped Up

“This wasn’t about what we wanted—it was about what the club wanted,” Lasky emphasized. The men’s team asked for alumni support, and the alumni delivered. While the SIU Rugby Alumni Association has long-term goals, this weekend was about meeting the team’s needs now and giving them the tools to grow.

The Best Part? Collaboration.

What stood out most to Lasky was the spirit of collaboration. Alumni made the trip on their own dime, not for recognition, but because they believed in the team. Players didn’t just tolerate their presence—they welcomed it.

“The alumni that came down did everything they could to make the weekend about the club and not about stroking their own egos,” he shared. That shared commitment created an atmosphere where both alumni and current players could learn, grow, and celebrate SIU Rugby together.

Alumni Thanks and Next Steps

On September 25, SIU Rugby Alumni Board President Mike Steele sent a thank you email on behalf of the Association. He recognized the alumni who made the camp possible.

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https://www.sirfcalumni.org/alumni

A Challenge for the Rest of Us

These alumni stepped up with their time, talent, and treasure. The question for the rest of us is: what have we done lately?

We all talk about how we can make the teams better—now is the time to act. An alumni benefactor has pledged to match donations up to $10,000 toward establishing a dedicated coach for the men’s and women’s programs. So far, we’ve raised $4,300, leaving a big opportunity on the table. The benefactor’s challenge ends November 1, 2025. Let’s not squander it.

Donations can be made through the alumni site: https://www.sirfcalumni.org/with-you-challenge

For those who want more information about how funds will be used, Dawn McKenzie, VP of Fundraising, will be hosting a Town Hall meeting in the coming weeks to present a long-term plan to sustain a coaching position with the university. Stay tuned for details.