Bumps and bruises come along with playing rugby.

NIU men’s rugby fly-half Alex Binetti has felt the numerous effects of receiving and delivering hits on the field

The senior back-line captain took some time to chat with the Northern Star about his fancies of playing rugby, the prospect of NIU going to the division one level and his plans after college.

Northern Star: When did you start playing rugby and how did you get interested in the game?

Alex Binetti: I started my senior year of high school, and I was playing football, and my buddy played all four years of high school and he was asking what I was doing, so I ended up playing rugby in the spring.

NS: What is your favorite part about playing rugby?

AB: It’s just a complete game, I mean it takes a lot of effort, but you have like a social side of it, because I mean you get to beat each other up on the field and afterward you have a social – cook food, grill out and just hang out with the other team.

NS: During your four years of playing NIU rugby, have you ever had a serious injury?

AB: Not really, I sprained my ankle once, but up till that it’s just mostly scrapes and bruises nothing really too bad.

NS: What are your expectations for this season?

AB: Well, we definitely want to do as least as well as last year, win our conference, go to playoffs and take on Wisconsin-Whitewater again and actually beat them this time because they are the defending national champions.

NS: How do you feel about NIU rugby maybe going D1 next year?

AB: It is definitely a positive step for us; I mean, I think the team is ready to be at that level. We have a very devoted team, and a great group of guys, so it’s a lot of hard work and a lot of commitment.

NS: When you are not playing rugby, what is something you like to do in your free time?

AB: Just hang out with my friends. I work as well as play rugby and school so I don’t have a lot of down time. Whenever I can, just hang out with friends and just relax.

NS: What do you plan on doing after you graduate?

AB: Try and find a job, I am not exactly sure what I want to do – maybe go into personal financial advising.

NS: What is your favorite show to watch on TV?

AB: I do not watch a ton of TV, but I am a big fan of The Walking Dead on AMC.

NS: What is your favorite meal?

AB: I am a big fan of grilling, so I would say grill up some brats and beer brats.