By Tom Liljedahl

Chris Pritchard, senior and president of the CCSU rugby team, has endured a tremendous amount of adversity throughout the past year following his seventh concussion.

It was in the fall of 2009, during the first round of a playoff game, that Pritchard was inadvertently kneed in the eye, suffering a concussion. “It was nothing out of the ordinary for rugby,” he said. “I’d had six previous concussions, all from big hits. It’s just the nature of the game.”

Though it may have seemed trivial at the time, Pritchard suffered the repercussions this past March. Upon waking up in his off campus house shared with three other rugby players, Pritchard described himself as feeling “disoriented,” and as if he had been “hit by a train.”

He had suffered a grand mal seizure in his sleep. However, he did not know this at the time, until he visited neurologist Dr. Sammi in Meriden. Here, Chris underwent an electroencephalogram (EEG) test, which revealed damage to his temporal lobe, undoubtedly caused by his numerous concussions.

Dr. Sammi prescribed medication used to control seizures, and told Pritchard to avoid strenuous physical activity. Despite following the doctor’s orders, he was stricken with another seizure on July 2.

“I remember standing in the shower, then the next thing I know, I was on the ground. I was physically drained but, unlike the initial seizure, felt fine the next day,” he described.

Pritchard visited Dr. Sammi, who informed him that this seizure was less dramatic than the first and he felt the medication was working. Though he has not experienced any problems since, Pritchard is required to take the medication until he is seizure free for an entire year.

As far as playing rugby goes, Pritchard remains unsure. “I haven’t really thought about that,” he said. “The doctor told me not to play, and my parents and girlfriend would probably kill me if I did. But who knows, if I’m cleared to play again someday down the road, I would definitely consider getting back into it.” Pritchard is currently running occasionally and lifting lightly, not contemplating the idea of playing rugby again, at least for the time being.

He began playing rugby in 2006, when he and some friends founded the rugby club at Cheshire High School. “I had gotten the idea from my brother, who played at UConn,” he said.

Because they were a club, not an actual team, the school did not fund their activity. Instead, they were funded by a $100 fee per player, which paid for uniforms, equipment, etc. They struggled the first year, going 1-9, but rebounded with a 9-1 season in 2007.

“It was tough at first, forming a new and unknown club, but once we got the word out, people were interested, and it was extremely successful.”

Pritchard’s success in rugby continued when he joined the CCSU team as a freshman in the fall of 2007. After a mere two years, he became president of the club. “The team was going through a rough patch,” said Pritchard. “So I just sort of took charge and became the new president.”

Though he cannot play, he has continued to perform his duties as president, promoting and helping the team in every way possible. Pritchard is currently training incoming president, Nick Kowaleski (sophomore), and distributing more flyers around campus than ever before.

“We’re attempting to recruit potential players and raise awareness about our home games,” said Pritchard.

The games, which were previously played on the football field, now take place on the new club sports field, located next to the baseball field. CCSU has two upcoming home games, Oct. 9 against Quinnipiac, and Oct. 23 against UHart.

“We would love to see as many people as many people as possible show up to support the team,” said Pritchard. “Whether it be future or past players, or simply fans of the game, I don’t want my injuries to scare anyone away from rugby. I have a true passion for the game and regret nothing. I loved every minute of it.”

Whether stepping onto the rugby field is in the future of Chris Pritchard or not, only time will tell. One sure thing, however, is that he will continue to promote and support the CCSU rugby club with the same tenacious passion that he played each game with.