STFX Sports Hall of Fame profile: 1998 X-Women Rugby team

1998 X-Women Rugby 

Nineteen ninety-eight was a history-making season for the White and Blue. Women's rugby debuted as a varsity sport not only at STFX, but in Canadian universities across the country. This STFX squad laid the foundation for an unmatched and dominant run in not only the AUS, but also in U SPORTS for X-Women Rugby. The program boasts 23 conference crowns, including 17 consecutive triumphs; in addition to six gold medals on the national championship stage. This X-Women Rugby dynasty started on the shoulders of the 1998 team. Coming off a one-win campaign the season prior, and under the guidance of a trio of X-Men Rugby student coaches, the X-Women posted a 7-1 mark, followed by a Nova Scotia title victory and an appearance in the first AUAA championship match. On a muddy field at Oland Stadium, STFX defeated St. Thomas to take home the inaugural conference title, earning the right to represent the league at the CIAU national championship tournament. Despite going 0-3, the X-Women performed at a high level and never gave an inch to their much more experienced opponents from larger and more established programs at the 1998 nationals in Hamilton.  

Team members include:  Jennifer Beaton, Deanna Bennett, Pamela Burgess, Cynthia Cameron, Dorothy Caul, Monique Colton, Katie Corrigan, Meagan Cuddles, Melanie Doucette, Christine Ford, Louise Hamelin, Eryn Hessian, Jennifer Hickey, Karen Madden, Tracy-Lynn Malone, Maria Mullally, Marcie Murray, Krista Millar, Crystal Paynter, Danielle Pierce, Nathalie Poirier, Sheena Ruff, Heather Stephens, Gabrielle Tompkins, Margaret Ann Walsh, Heather Wright, Ed Carty (administrator), Derek Wood (administrator), Ramses Langston (head coach), Patrick Cusson (assistant coach), Scott McDonell (assistant coach), Rory McIntosh (assistant coach), and Angie Reid (trainer).