![[ SPORTS ]](/images/sports97.gif)
Arizona Daily Wildcat March 7, 1997
UA rugby to scrum it up with ASU
Twenty years ago, the Arizona State rugby team was able to pull out a 16-16 tie against Arizona in their first ever match. This time, says the man who almost made the tie-breaking conversion kick 21 years ago - current UA coach Sitton - said things are different."I remember what it was like. I had my little white and red uniform. These guys came down in maroon and gold stripes and nothing would make you see red quicker than maroon and gold," he said. "It was a hot day. It was in the fall, in October and ASU had just formed their first rugby team. We had been in operation since we started in 1969."
Arizona was the first school to start an intercollegiate rugby team in the state. Sitton started playing for the Wildcats during the 1973-74 season.
This time around, the sports commentator and coach, said he is confident his team will defeat the Sun Devils (2-4) this Sunday at Estevan Park at 1 p.m.
A victory will bring Arizona its first ever Southern California Collegiate Rugby Conference championship.
Arizona has had past success against the Sun Devils, compiling a 31-12-1 record. UA has defeated ASU in the last five meetings.
"Whenever we play Arizona State it's an exciting time regardless of records regardless of expectations," Sitton said. "We're especially looking forward to this match because of the fact that it will give us an opportunity to finish the year with a perfect conference record and get us ready for the postseason."
