Meet your 2026 SIU WOMEN's Rugby Team
Looking to support some absolute legends? We’ve got 13 women ruggers up for adoption, each at $100, putting a full sweep at $1,300 to back the squad. This group brings everything—first tries, rookie initiations, broken thumbs (multiple times…), banana bread-fueled tournament runs, and even the occasional cat rescue. From future doctors and scientists to props who’ve never broken a bone and wings who figured out backward passing on day one, this team is equal parts toughness, chaos, and tight-knit support.
Pick your player, make your impact, and adopt a rugger who’s bringing the hits on the field and the stories off it.
Allison Marburger
Nickname: Burger
Years: 2023 – 2026
Position: Scrum half or Fly half
Major: Zoology and Forestry
Hometown: Litchfield
Status: ADOPTED by Sue
Fixing Skylar McDuffee’s teeth with her forehead is a standout rugby moment. Allison enjoys meeting great people and working together as a team. Fun fact: sloths’ vision flips depending on whether they’re upside down.
Anna Coovert
Nickname: —
Years: 2025 – 2027
Position: Hooker
Major: Finance
Hometown: Washington, IL
Status: ADOPTED by Jackie
Anna’s favorite rugby memory is the adrenaline of her very first game—where she also earned Man of the Match. She loves rugby as a way to channel her competitive side while building strong friendships, and it fulfills her long-time goal of playing a contact sport. Growing up with six siblings, she’s no stranger to roughhousing, making rugby a perfect fit. Fun fact: she played softball for 15 years before picking up rugby.
Aylee Gabourel
Nickname: Nope
Years: 2025 – 2029
Position: Center/Wing
Major: Architecture
Hometown: Elgin, IL
Status: ADOPTED by Snackbar
Aylee’s favorite memory is at practice when the team captain got pied. She enjoys rugby because it’s fun, different from other sports she’s played, and always presents a new challenge. Fun fact: rugby players don’t wear pads—apparently the strategy is just to be tougher.
Charlee Neece
Nickname: No
Years: 2025 – 2028
Position: —
Major: Cinema
Hometown: Taylorville, IL
Status: ADOPTED by Troy
Scoring her first conversion kick is Charlee’s standout rugby moment. She keeps it simple—rugby is just fun. Fun fact: a standard 52-card deck represents the calendar year.
Darcy Jagels
Nickname: Bagels
Years: 2025 – 2029
Position: Wing
Major: Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Springfield, IL
Status: Adopted by the MILFs
Rugby initiation stands out as Darcy’s favorite memory. She loves the strong sense of community and the fact that (polite) aggression is encouraged. Fun fact: during SIU orientation, she rescued three cats.
Kori Lyles
Nickname: —
Years: 2026 – 2029
Position: Loose-head Prop
Major: Pre-Med
Hometown: Mascoutah
Status: ADOPTED by the SALIs
Kori enjoys going to practice, talking, and playing with friends. Rugby keeps her active and engaged. Fun fact: she has never broken a bone.
Madison Alvarez
Nickname: Maddy
Years: 2025 – 2029
Position: Forward
Major: Zoology
Hometown: Houston, TX
Status: ADOPTED by Darcie
A favorite memory is playing for SIU and then subbing in for two other teams during a home match. Madison loves rugby for the connections and experiences it brings. Fun fact: she can recite the Lord’s Prayer in Latin.
Samantha Scott
Nickname: Sam
Years: 2025 – 2029
Position: Center
Major: Criminology
Hometown: Carlinville
Status: Available
Scoring her first try and celebrating is Samantha’s favorite memory. She loves tackling people and hearing the crowd cheer. Fun fact: she was born in Germany—and also knows that bat-eared foxes use their oversized ears to hear prey underground.
Savannah Farrar
Nickname: nope!
Years: 2025 – 2029
Position: Wing
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Beecher, IL
Status: ADOPTED by Katie & Liz
Her first rugby practice—where everyone was confused about throwing the ball backward—is unforgettable. Savannah loves how supportive the team is, no matter your experience level. Fun fact: she has a twin sister.
Skylar McDuffee
Nickname: —
Years: 2022 – 2026
Position: Fly Half
Major: Zoology – Fisheries (Minor in Chemistry)
Hometown: Fremont, NE
Status: ADOPTED by Apryl
Winning 3rd at regionals sophomore year (powered by an impressive amount of banana bread) is a top memory. Skylar loves being part of SIU’s rugby history and the tight-knit Carbondale community. Fun fact: she plans to attend UCC in Ireland for her master’s program.
Skylar Traffas
Nickname: —
Years: 2023 – 2027
Position: Center
Major: Criminology / Criminal Justice
Hometown: Union, MO
Status: ADOPTED by Tracey, Gregg & Laura
Climbing out of a broken hotel window in Warrensburg is a memorable moment. Skylar enjoys hanging out with the team and being part of the group. Fun fact: she is a Chinese language minor.
Sydney Gist
Nickname: Syd
Years: 2025 – 2028
Position: Prop
Major: Animal Science
Hometown: Evansville, IN
Status: ADOPTED by Lauren & Maggie
Rookie initiation is Sydney’s standout rugby memory. She enjoys the social side of the sport and being part of a team again. Fun fact: she has broken her thumb seven times.
Zoe Hill
Nickname: Idk
Years: 2025 – 2029
Position: Prop
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Houston, TX
Status: ADOPTED by Danielle & Jared
From singing “Baby” by Justin Bieber at rookie karaoke to playing her first game in Kentucky, Zoe has plenty of great memories. She loves the supportive team environment and the energy rugby brings. Fun fact: she can juggle and make balloon animals—#clown.
