Vassar’s rugby program is well-renowned, with the women’s team winning several national championships and the men’s team winning the 2023 conference championship. Both teams are known for their friendly personas, which are on display when they table outside of the dining hall during the first few weeks of the academic year. This year marks the program’s 50th anniversary, as well as the 30-year mark for Head Coach Tony Brown’s tenure. Curious about his journey to Vassar and the development of the team, I sat down with Brown to get to know the man behind the titles.
Coach Brown’s office is decorated with photos of teams past and mementos from his career at the College. To the left of his desk, there is a photo of the 2008-2009 team marked “Winningest Coach Ever,” which he later mentioned is from a victory at the Beast of the East tournament. To the right, three custom rugby balls are displayed in the window, one bearing a photo of yet another iteration of his team. As we chatted, he utilized the space around him, pointing to various players in their team photos as he told stories of their achievements both on and off the field, including where they are now. I was impressed with his ability to remember the players’ names and specific anecdotes about them.
Growing up in England, rugby was a part of Brown’s early physical education curriculum. Reflecting on his first experiences with the sport, Brown commented, “I fell in love with rugby because when I was a school boy, I was big, lumpy, you know, tall, good at running into things.” While attending St. Luke’s—a teacher’s training college—Brown had the opportunity to play against several of the nation’s top teams. His athletic career was supported by teachers and peers, and much of his social life was centered around the sport.
After teaching physical education in London for four years, Brown moved to America where he became a public school teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia. Simultaneously, he played rugby with a local club before a career-ending injury in 1986, after which he began coaching the sport at George Mason University.
Brown came to Vassar in 1995 to coach full time. He recalled, “In 1995, I saw an advertisement for a job here at Vassar, and I thought, gosh, they’re going to pay me for doing what I love to do, so I’m going to apply for that job. And I’ve been here for 30 years.”
Across America, rugby teams were—and largely still are—club sports. Brown commented, “Being a club sport on the fringes of the administration meant that it was kind of a counterculture sport. The men wore a white shirt with a red hoop, right? That was their colors, whereas the varsity teams were wearing, you know, maroon and gray.” True to its origins as a counterculture, rugby has a reputation as a rowdy sport due to its physical intensity, which is positively reflected in the camaraderie of its players. Further, the sport’s nature instills a sense of pride and a fierce loyalty in many of the players. Reminiscing on the program’s roots as a club sport, Brown discussed the mentality of the players: “We’re going to survive. We’re going to prevail. We’re going to have a good time. We’re going to play for Vassar.”
Prior to Brown’s arrival, Vassar’s players used to volunteer to build pizza boxes at Napoli’s, a local establishment that often served the campus. As they boxed, they would write advertisements for their games alongside the promise of free beer to those who attended. There would then be a free keg on the field for onlookers to enjoy.
Familiar with the history of the social scene of the sport, Brown sought to strike a balance between conviviality and respectability. He reflected that in many conversations over the years, he tried his best to impart encouragement to have a good time on the field as well as respect for the image of the team and sport.
Brown also specifically lauded Vassar’s captains for the community they create on their teams. “I’ve got to give a lot of credit to the captains because, you know. I talk to them, but they go out and they’re the ones that implement it. They’re the ones that are talking it through. They’re the ones that understand the Vassar culture probably even better than I because they’re in their own peer groups.” He characterized his role as a coach as akin to a facilitator: He teaches his players and allows them to call their own shots.
Many of the players that come to Vassar’s teams are rookies and know very little, if anything at all, about the sport. When asked about how he facilitates the environment on the team, Brown commented, “So the first thing I’d say is that there’s a place for every physique on a rugby team.” He continued, “To make it a welcoming space, well, first of all, I tell them I have a massive respect for them.” He further mentioned that he will always preface that rugby is a contact sport, but there is strategy to the intensity that can be taught.
Brown also reflected on the potential for growth both off and on the field. Specifically, he reflected on a rookie who joined early in her undergraduate career, and managed to achieve several fitness goals she set out for when joining the roster. By the end of her tenure, she was a captain and is now an accomplished scientist.
The camaraderie of the teams transcends the four year rotation, as many alumni remain involved in the program. Brown recalled the first time he met Charlie Williams ’80, who was a captain and is currently one of the program’s most active alums. Upon his arrival as a new coach, Brown was invited to Williams’ home for a meal, so the latter could tell him about the history of the program. Similarly, whenever the teams have games in Williams’ home state of New Jersey, he invites them over for a home-cooked meal. Williams would later validate Brown’s potential as a coach to the alumni network, and today, he continues to bridge the gaps between generations of players.
Reflecting on his overall time as a coach, Brown highlighted that his players have taught him as much about life as he has given to them. Specifically, he has discussed topics outside of rugby at length with his players, offering insights from his generation and listening and learning from theirs.
Brown’s jovial nature and fierce love for the sport is inspiring. For those who might be considering giving rugby a try, at a minimum have a conversation with him, and perhaps you will find yourself on one of Vassar’s best teams.