Volunteer rugby coach Mike McKinney said the best way for the players to understand the game is by allowing them to coach. So he did what coaches often loathe to do – he let the players coach each other.

McKinney said he wants his players to learn leadership.

“Coming out of college with a degree, they won’t start at the very bottom,” McKinney said. “They are a part of the management aspect.”

McKinney said involving the players in the financial aspects of the team allows them to get hands-on experience.

Three-fourths of the team is made up of new players and most of them being have never held a rugby ball.

McKinney said he encourages his players to volunteer in the community.

“We just did the Hotter N’ Hell,” McKinney said. “We helped with the starting line and hells gate.”

Eight of the players woke up at 5 a.m. to set up for the race and cheer the racers on. The team also volunteers with Downtown Proud, a program that works to revitalize downtown Wichita Falls.

McKinney wants people to know that anyone is invited to come out and play rugby.

Nzwanai Kanyangarara, a senior in chemical lab science, is part of the student coaching staff. Kanyangarara wants to reduce some stigma surrounding rugby.

“Yes, there are injurie,” Kanyangarara said. “But there are injuries in every sport.”

Kanyangarara said MSU rugby can be a great way to network and rugby is similar to a fraternity.

McKinney said if anyone is interested in playing rugby,  practice is at 6 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at the free play field.

If you’re interested in cheering the team on, their first home game is Nov. 14 against Sam Houston State University. The game will begin at 5 p.m. at Memorial Stadium soccer field.