A loss to Indiana University of Pennsylvania wasn’t the senior send off they were looking for, but Grand Valley State University rugby team members Jack Gallagher and Alec Knorr have no regrets from their time as student athletes.

Both seniors, Gallagher and Knorr have competed in their last games for GVSU, giving way to a burgeoning freshman group.

“The season didn’t end the way we wanted it to.” Gallagher said. “There were lots of good accomplishments throughout the season though.”

Losing to the No. 3 ranked Crimson Hawks last Sunday abruptly ended a run to the conference championship by GVSU.

Coach John Mullet said that a few mistakes cost his team late in a very close game that ballooned to a score of 34-14.

“What the scoreboard said didn’t really tell what happened in the game,” Mullet said. “It was within reach with ten minutes to play; they just had a fluky turnover and drive that they scored on and we couldn’t come back.”

The game mirrored a previous loss to Indiana (Pa.) in which the Crimson Hawks jumped out to an early lead and saw the Laker team trying to scrap its way back.

“You know there were times where I thought we were gaining the momentum ,but we couldn’t sustain it,” said Mullet.

On the plus side for GVSU, the Lakers started seven freshman this season and will return those starters with many more vying for a starting role.

“This is by far the best development we have seen from our freshman class,” Mullet said. “We started seven freshmen and all seven of them contributed directly to us winning games this year, so the level of input was great.”

Led by freshman Dave Geise, the Lakers will look to avenge losses, their only blemishes of the year against Indiana (Pa.) 2013.

While Gallagher and Knorr won’t be returning for more on the field glory at GVSU, their careers may not be over.

Gallagher will attend chiropractic school at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa and will attempt to continue playing rugby for their extremely competitive men’s team.

“I’m going to try to play on the team but it’s a tough team to get on — we’ll see,” said Gallgher.
For Knorr, he’s trading in the rugby uniform for a government black suit. A criminal justice major, he would like to work as a detective for the FBI.

“This experience being student athlete has shown me more and more that GPA isn’t all that this is about,” Knorr said. “It shows a level of commitment that can help you in the future.”

Gallagher plans to use his experience as a rugby player as a launch pad to get ins in the professional world.

“Once you’ve played you’re always going to find someone you can talk about rugby with who has played,” Gallagher said. “I know of a friend who went to a job interview and only talked about rugby with this employer and got hired.”

Gallagher also plans to return to the team to help out as an alumnus.

“I’ll definitely be back to give them a hand as an alum,” he said.
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