The NIU men’s rugby team placed second in the South Side Irish 10’s Tournament last weekend.

Fourteen men’s collegiate teams participated in the tournament.

NIU won its first three games but lost in the championship game 30-0 at the hands of Illinois. NIU posted a 10-0 victory over Marquette in the first round, beat Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne 35-5 in the second round and knocked off Illinois-Chicago 5-0 in the third round.

“I’m extremely proud of everybody,” senior captain Dan Joda said. “We had lots of guys scoring that usually don’t score and everyone put in a solid effort.”

Rugby is usually played with 15 players on the field, but the tournament adjusted it to 10, which makes for an action-filled, faster-paced game, Joda said.

The men’s rugby team will face Lake Forest College at 1 p.m. March 29 on the fields behind Stevenson Towers. NIU will host one of the largest tournaments in the state the weekend of April 19, with games running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We encourage everyone to come to watch or if they want to play,” Joda said. “No experience is necessary.”

Coaching up

Both Molly Murray of NIU women’s basketball and Dennis Gates of NIU men’s basketball have been promoted to associate head coaching positions.

Murray earned the promotion after her third season with the Huskies. Murray serves as recruiting coordinator and handles scheduling.

Gates just finished up his third year as a college assistant coach.

In good company

NIU baseball’s Andy Deain was named to the 2008 Roger Clemens Award Watch List on March 5.

Deain is one of 36 pitchers vying for college baseball’s pitcher of the year. The lone MAC representative, Deain was also named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List prior to the start of the season.

Despite being named to the watch lists, Deain has had a rocky start to the 2008 season. The junior closer has one save with a 5.00 ERA in nine innings of work and eight appearances.