San Jose Spartans RFC part 1.

  Over the past years I have done a few Q&A's with team presidents over at San Jose State and with SJSU meaning so much to me it was only natural that I eventually have a Q&A with James Fonda. James is the current head coach and Pacific west conference commissioner. San Jose State is enjoying a big upswing, more then at any other time in recent history of the program. SJSU 7's side is more competitive then ever before and last year for the first time ever the Spartans made it to the USA 7's national tournament . This year they don't only hope to replicate last years success but plan to push further in the national tournament.


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LLR- Besides the  west coast 7s tournament will SJSU also be looking to go and play in Vegas for the invitational or any other 7’s tournament.  

 

JF- The Spartans will be playing in the Battle in the Bay as well as the Pacific Western Rugby Conference Tournament. 

 

 

LLR-Do you like that USA rugby has moved there 7s national tournament , is this a good or bad move.

 

JF- I am not sure about it yet.  It is something that is being in conjunction with big and better things.  It really depends on travel costs for the teams who make it to both 7's and 15's National Runs.

 

 

LLR-What went into the decision to adding the new teams to Pac west conference, what do these new teams help bring to the conference.  

 

JF-The real decision on having Sac State and UC Davis was too get back into making a solid competition again.  The competition is great right now and these two schools just add on to this.  Anyone of these teams can beat each other.  This makes it a tough competition and a little less travel.  There is no reason for teams to travel long distances where the competition is here.  We are looking to add one more school that can deliver on that. 

 

 

LLR- A while ago you and I spoke briefly about some issues going on in college rugby. One of the topics I wanted to ask your opinion on is the college ranking system. There are those sites out there that have taken upon them self's to rank programs and place them on a ranking system 1-25, what is your thoughts and is the current ranking system the best we can do?

 

JF-I believe there should be a ranking system.  Currently there is none.   It should be governed by USA Rugby.  Other sites can have their polls which is like they do with NCAA football.  A Conference Commissioner Poll is something I would like to see as well.  Conferences need to do a better job on reporting scores on a timely manner so that USA Rugby has more info for them to make their decision.  I think also that the ranking should be done by divisions.  

LLR-Has SJSU taken 7s more seriously, how are practices over the summer & fall conducted ?

JF-We take all of our rugby seriously. Coaches have had to adapt the most.  We spend more on 15's because there is more to be done there.  The goal is the same whether it is 15's or 7's.  Practices have gone well and we have some very promising young players.  

LLR-The Spartans play Stanford every year in one way or another and same with Santa Clara, why hasn’t CAL come up on the schedule?

JF- Stanford is in our conference so we play them every year like you mentioned.  We have not played Santa Clara in two years and we plan to play them.  As for Cal, we will be playing them in 7's but not in 15's.

LLR-Last few questions, are there any trips planned or being discussed to travel around the USA or over seas to play other college programs?

JF-Not at this time.

 

LLR-What’s your  own opinion on the ALL Blacks test match against the USA being played in Chicago on November 1st?  

JF-I think it is great.  The All Blacks are the greatest and it is great to see them on US soil.  I would love to have the USA host the world cup in the future.  

 

     
LLR- Is it time to stop the Varsity Cup, DI & DIAA labels and just form everyone into one division, if college football can rank, schedule games, and have conferences for the 100(+) DI football programs , why can’t rugby achieve the same in America?

JF- The Varsity Cup is their own separate entity. So, I am not sure about their status unless they are loosing some teams.  As for USA Rugby the D1 and D1AA are already starting to blend.  We are the same path as college football but we have heaps of work to do just as long as USA Rugby does not change the main structure we will get there.

 

LLR-Does SJSU have a relationship with youth programs and any Men’s clubs in the area?  

JF-We do and we try to help out teams as much as we can.  

 

 

LLR- Last question, if college rugby was at the point where you are able to go in a recruit players such as college football, what can be said about the program to convince those high school players around the country to come play rugby for the Spartans.

JF- San Jose State Rugby is becoming more and more popular with a winning environment.  The program is more than a social sport as we are trying for a national championship year after year.  There is a proud well established program that only is interested in men who want to be a part of that, a Spartan tradition.  




*part two will be released in the coming days, team president Mike Gonzalez answers some more questions. If you wish to fallow the Spartans there are plenty of ways to keep in touch and up to date, if you wish to contact James and find out more information about the growing program then visit www.sjsurugby.com