The long winter hibernation for NIU’s men’s rugby program is slowly coming to an end.

The Huskies are practicing four days a week at the Chick Evans Fieldhouse in preparation for their spring season. It will culminate in the programs first ever trip to USA rugby’s Division II national tournament later this spring.

Senior fly half Alex Binetti said the practices have helped everybody get back into the mind set of playing rugby again.

“Well, just like shaking the rust off with the ball,” Binetti said, “I mean a lot of us didn’t have a lot of rugby athletics going on when we go home to our hometowns for break. So, it’s just getting ball handling down and just getting back into the flow of play and trying to set up game like situations without the tackling.”

Sophomore prop Osama Sheyeb said there are a few challenges that come with practicing inside.

“I have to say space is a big issue,” Shayeb said, “We play on 100-by-60 field. It’s a big field we’re used to playing on, and we only have a couple little soccer courts and a running track. It’s hard to simulate some of the drills and the game play we’re used to simulating.”

Rugby president Pat Kathan said the two weeks of practice inside have already started to pay dividends.

“I definitely think our endurance is definitely getting up and just getting our ball handling skills back to where they used to be last semester,” Kathan.

To prepare for nationals, NIU has set up three exhibition games. The Huskies will travel to Lake Forest College March 24. The following week, NIU will play Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and finally, the Huskies will travel to West Lafayette, Ind. April 14 to face Purdue.

Shayeb said he is looking forward to these upcoming games as the team readies for nationals.

“I’m looking forward to all the games; these are all great teams,” Shayeb said, “They’ll give us the best competition we could have here in the Midwest preparing for the national championship.”

Nationals will be April 28 and 29 in a not yet known location.